One to watch: Gillian Landzberg, future instructor in dentistry

Gillian Landzberg loved her time in the DDS program at U of T. She’d been very involved as a student, but more than that, she “felt confident in the knowledge and foundation I gained at U of T,” says Landzberg of her time in the Doctor of Dental Surgery program. “I was looking for more experience.”

So, after graduation in 2015, Landzberg relocated to Los Angeles, California, to take part in a general practice residency at Cedar Sinai Medical Centre.

With just four dentistry residents in the hospital, Landzberg had ample opportunities to sharpen her skills and gain invaluable experience. It was exactly what she’d been looking for.

What she learned prompted her to returned to Toronto in 2017, eager to add to her already considerable accomplishments. Landzberg had set her sights on the graduate specialty program in endodontics, a subject she particularly enjoyed throughout her DDS degree, and later, during her residency. U of T Dentistry was at the top of her list.

"The opportunity to be involved in research as an investigator is really an asset. It allows me to critically evaluate [research] with a certain amount of knowledge"

“I thought really highly of the endodontics program. If they were going to take me, that was my first choice,” says Landzberg, who was accepted into the program in 2017.

Working under the supervision of professor Anil Kishen, Landzberg has been honing her clinical skills as well as conducting research in support of a novel biocompatible nanoparticle varnish that can be used to seal microcracks during endodontic microsurgeries, “to improve the prognosis in cases where there’s cracks,” says Landzberg.

That research landed Landzberg a Canadian Association of Dental Research (CADR) – Network for Canadian Oral Health Research (NCOHR) award, as well as an award from the American Association of Endodontists, both in 2019. Her research was also supported by a Canadian Association of Endodontics award in 2020.

For Landzberg, the research component of the degree is integral to becoming a great clinician.

“As specialists, we rely so much on research for our decision-making, to determine how we’re going to treat our patients,” Landzberg says. “The opportunity to be involved in research as an investigator is really an asset. It allows me to critically evaluate [research] with a certain amount of knowledge,” she adds.

Now, set to graduate on November 21, Landzberg looks forward to guiding the next generation of U of T Dentistry grads. While she intends to associate in private practice in the GTA, she also wants to stay involved in the life of the school by becoming an instructor in dentistry.

“I really valued the education I got at U of T. I have a lot of faith in it,” says Landzberg, adding that mentors, such as the ones she has had in her career thus far, are critical to success. “There’s no better way to learn.”

Fall convocation will be held as a virtual event on Saturday, November 21, 2020.

Photo: Gillian Landzberg (Christine Teed)