About the Institute
Our Relationship with Sunstar
Established and supported by Sunstar, the Institute has a distinct scientific role.
Science-led
The Institute brings together internal and external expertise to advance mouth-to-body health science. Its research priorities are shaped by experts working across disciplines.
Supported by Sunstar
The Institute is supported by Sunstar as part of its long-term commitment to oral and overall health. It draws on Sunstar’s expertise while maintaining a scientific role distinct from Sunstar’s product brands.
Distinct in Purpose
The Institute is not a product brand or a corporate R&D department. Its role is to connect expertise, advance science and translate evidence into practical progress.
What We Build On
A Long Scientific Record
Since the 1986 Portside Symposium, Sunstar has supported scientific work exploring the relationship between periodontal and systemic health.
A Long-Term View
The Institute builds on decades of sustained work in oral and systemic health, creating space for questions and collaborations that extend beyond any single project.
Across Disciplines
Researchers, clinicians, and experts connect perspectives from oral health, systemic health, prevention, oral microbiome science, nutrition, and more.
From Evidence to Action
The Institute is designed to advance research, translate scientific knowledge into practical solutions, and strengthen scientific engagement and communication.
External Scientific Guidance
External experts bring independent expertise and perspective to the Institute’s scientific direction and review.
Governance
The Institute is led by two Co-Chairs: a Sunstar scientific leader and an external scientific leader. The Co-Chairs provide overall direction. Pillar Leaders develop research priorities and programs with Institute Members, drawing on their subject-matter expertise and with guidance and scientific oversight from the Scientific Advisory Board. Sunstar provides support and resources. Across its work, the Institute is committed to scientific rigor, ethics, transparency and collaboration.
Institute Co-Chairs
Provide overall direction and connect the Institute’s scientific priorities with its mission.
Scientific Advisory Board
Provides guidance on research priorities, scientific direction, and key programs and outputs.
Institute Members
Subject-matter experts who contribute specialist expertise in specific fields to support the Institute’s research priorities, programs and scientific work.
Pillar Leaders
Internal R&D leaders develop and lead programs across three pillars: Research Excellence, Innovation Translation, and Scientific Engagement & Communication.
Scientific Integrity and Transparency
The Institute is supported by Sunstar and has a scientific remit distinct from Sunstar’s product brands. It does not sell or endorse products. The Institute is committed to scientific rigor, transparency and appropriate disclosure of relevant interests across its research, publications and scientific activities.
The Institute at a Glance
Explore the latest research, collaborations, and events.