Where Imaging Meets Innovation: Prof. Dr. Seçil Aksoy on Research, AI, and Education
In this issue of NEU Bulletin, we are pleased to feature Prof. Dr. Seçil Aksoy, a distinguished academic in oral and maxillofacial radiology whose career brings together advanced imaging, clinical research, artificial intelligence, and dental education.
Her research spans cone-beam computed tomography, paranasal sinus and upper airway imaging, obstructive sleep apnea, craniofacial anatomy, and the clinical applications of artificial intelligence in dentistry. Alongside her scientific work, she has also made significant contributions to student education, curriculum development, and institutional quality assurance.
In this interview, Prof. Dr. Aksoy reflects on the turning points that shaped her academic journey, the changing role of artificial intelligence in diagnosis and treatment, the studies that have been most meaningful to her, and the skills that will define the dentists and researchers of the future.
Throughout your academic life, which experience or turning point has shaped you the most? Looking back today, how would you describe the most important factor that led you to become the researcher and educator you are now?
One of the most formative turning points in my academic life came after graduation, when I began to understand more clearly the direction in which I wanted to pursue my profession. I have always believed that clinical practice is an indispensable part of dentistry and that it makes an important contribution to professional development. However, while continuing my clinical work, I realised that I did not want merely to apply existing knowledge. I felt an increasingly strong interest in conducting research, generating new knowledge and developing myself academically. This realisation played a decisive role in my decision to pursue an academic career.
At the beginning of this journey, I naturally had some concerns about how well I would adapt to the discipline and working methods required by academic life. I was aware that conducting research, systematically developing scientific thought and assuming educational responsibilities all require sustained effort over many years. During this period, I was fortunate to receive the guidance of my doctoral supervisor, Prof. Dr. Kaan Orhan, whose mentorship helped me recognise my own potential and move forward with greater confidence in academic life. His guidance also showed me that an academic career is shaped not only by individual effort, but also by effective mentorship and a supportive scientific environment.
Another major turning point came when my presentation at the first European Congress of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology that I attended was awarded first prize. For me, this was more than an achievement; it was an important confirmation that I had chosen the right path. Seeing a scientific study recognised in an international setting further strengthened my interest in research and reinforced my determination to advance in academic life.
Looking back today, I believe that the most important factors that shaped me into the researcher and educator I am now were my desire for continuous self-improvement, my determination to keep my curiosity alive, my willingness to make the most of the opportunities I encountered and the privilege of receiving guidance from a good mentor at the right time.
“An academic career is shaped not only by individual effort, but also by effective mentorship and a supportive scientific environment.”
In recent years, artificial intelligence has been creating a significant transformation in oral and maxillofacial radiology. How do you think these technologies will change diagnostic and treatment processes? In the future, how will artificial intelligence and clinical experience work together?
I believe that artificial intelligence will significantly transform diagnostic and treatment processes not only in oral and maxillofacial radiology, but also across many fields of dentistry and medicine. The faster, more standardised and more detailed evaluation of radiological images; the early detection of subtle changes; the automation of measurements; and the simplification of three-dimensional analyses will be among the first and most visible outcomes of this transformation. I also expect artificial intelligence to play an increasingly important role in identifying patient-specific risks, developing treatment plans and creating more personalised approaches.
I do not agree with the view that artificial intelligence will completely replace physicians. Nevertheless, it is clear that it will considerably change working practices and workforce planning, particularly in the radiological fields of medicine and dentistry. Many processes that are currently performed by specialists—including image screening, measurement, classification and preliminary assessment—may be completed more rapidly by artificial intelligence, potentially reducing the need for specialist labour in certain areas.
However, this will not make specialists unnecessary; rather, it will change the nature of their role. The radiologist of the future will not simply interpret images. They will supervise the results generated by artificial intelligence, evaluate them within the broader clinical context, identify potential errors and make the final decision.
“Artificial intelligence will not make specialists unnecessary; rather, it will change the nature of their role.”
Such developments would reshape not only how dental procedures are performed, but also the content of dental education, the definition of professional competencies and the dentist’s position within the treatment process. Nevertheless, because of biological variability, clinical uncertainty and the unique circumstances of every patient, I believe that human supervision will remain indispensable for a long time.
“Because every patient presents unique biological and clinical circumstances, human supervision will remain indispensable.”
This transformation will also bring significant ethical and legal challenges. Fundamental questions will need to be addressed, including who should be held responsible when an artificial intelligence system makes an incorrect recommendation or a robotic system causes a complication, how patient data should be protected, for which patient groups algorithms can be considered reliable and how equal access to these technologies can be ensured.
The extent to which physicians should delegate their professional judgement to artificial intelligence and how patients should be informed about its use must also be considered carefully. In my view, technology may take over some of the tasks currently performed by clinicians and substantially alter their professional roles. However, I do not believe that artificial intelligence can completely replace the uniquely human capacity to assess patients holistically, accept responsibility in situations of uncertainty, establish relationships based on trust and make ethical decisions.
Among the studies you have conducted so far, which one has made you the proudest, either scientifically or personally? What made that study particularly meaningful to you?
It is not easy for me to answer this question by naming a single study, because two publications representing different stages of my academic journey hold distinct significance for me.
The first is my first article published in an international journal, entitled “Evaluation of bifid mandibular canals with cone-beam computed tomography in a Turkish adult population: a retrospective study.” In this research, we used three-dimensional imaging to examine variations in the branching patterns of the mandibular canal, which carries nerves and blood vessels through the lower jaw.
Identifying these anatomical variations in advance is important for the safer planning of surgical procedures, implant treatment and local anaesthesia. However, what makes this study particularly meaningful to me is that it was one of the first projects to strengthen my desire to conduct research and allowed me to experience the excitement of scientific production during the early stages of my academic career.
The second study that holds a special place for me is our first research project in the field of artificial intelligence, entitled “Clinically applicable artificial intelligence system for dental diagnosis with CBCT.” In this study, we worked on developing a system that could support the evaluation of teeth and surrounding tissues in three-dimensional dental images with the assistance of artificial intelligence.
At the time, the potential clinical applications of artificial intelligence in dentistry were not being discussed as widely as they are today. The study was therefore particularly valuable to me because it brought together dental radiology and artificial intelligence and helped shape the direction of my subsequent research.
“One study represents the beginning of my academic journey, while the other marks the beginning of a new direction in my research.”
One of these studies represents the beginning of my academic journey, while the other represents the beginning of a new direction in my research. What makes me proud is not simply that they were published, but that they stimulated my scientific curiosity at different stages of my career and contributed to the development of my identity as a researcher.
You have played an active role in student education for many years and, through your position on the Education Subcommittee of the Council of Dental Deans, you also contribute to the development of the core dental curriculum. Based on this experience, which qualities do you consider most important to cultivate in your students? What fundamental competencies will distinguish the dentists of the future?
The quality I consider most important to develop in my students is not simply the ability to learn information, but the ability to question it, access reliable sources and interpret what they have learned in accordance with the patient’s needs before translating it into a clinical decision.
Dentistry requires not only theoretical knowledge and technical skills, but also strong clinical reasoning, ethical responsibility, communication skills and empathy.
I believe that the fundamental competencies that will distinguish the dentists of the future include critical thinking, evidence-based decision-making, the responsible use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence, the ability to work across disciplines and a commitment to lifelong learning.
Although technology and scientific knowledge are changing rapidly, there will always be a need for clinicians who can approach patients holistically, value human relationships and remain conscious of their professional responsibilities. For this reason, I consider it important that our students develop not only into competent clinicians, but also into questioning, adaptable and ethically responsible dentists who inspire confidence in their patients.
“The dentists of the future must be questioning, adaptable and ethically responsible professionals who inspire confidence in their patients.”
Sustaining scientific productivity over many years requires both discipline and motivation. What is the most important source of motivation that encourages you to continue researching and producing new work? Do you have a particular approach or working principle that helps you remain productive in your academic career?
Although I have reached the highest academic rank available to me, I do not regard research merely as a means of academic advancement. My primary motivation is the opportunity to pursue a question that has not previously been answered, collaborate with researchers from different disciplines and ultimately produce a tangible outcome that has scientific or clinical value.
The most important approach that helps me remain productive is keeping my curiosity alive and focusing on learning something new from every study. I particularly believe that multidisciplinary research both develops the researcher and produces more original results.
For this reason, I see academic life not as a process that is completed once certain objectives have been achieved, but as a continuous journey of learning and creating.
What advice would you give to young researchers and dentists at the beginning of their academic careers? Which values and skills should they prioritise throughout their scientific journeys?
My first advice to young researchers at the beginning of their academic careers is to preserve their curiosity, remain patient and stay open to continuous self-development. A scientific journey may not always progress as planned. Unsuccessful attempts, criticism and rejection are all natural parts of the process. What matters is being able to learn from these experiences, continue moving forward and focus on long-term development rather than short-term outcomes.
I believe that scientific integrity, critical thinking and the ability to ask the right questions form the foundation of everything. Working with good mentors, remaining open to different disciplines and establishing strong collaborations will also make an important contribution to the development of young researchers.
At the same time, academic success should not be measured solely in terms of publications, projects or titles. What truly matters is being able to make a meaningful contribution to science, the profession and society through one’s work.
“Academic success should not be measured solely by publications, projects or titles, but by the meaningful contribution one makes to science, the profession and society.”
About the Researcher
Prof. Dr. Seçil Aksoy graduated from Ankara University Faculty of Dentistry in 2007. She began her doctoral education in the Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology at the Near East University Institute of Health Sciences in 2008. In 2013, she completed her PhD with a dissertation entitled “Three -Dimensional Evaluation of Paranasal Sinuses and Anatomic Variations with Upper Airway Anatomy Using CBCT.”
She was appointed Assistant Professor at Near East University in 2013, received the title of Associate Professor in 2017, and was promoted to Professor in 2023. She currently serves as Head of the Department of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology and Coordinator of the Faculty of Dentistry Self-Assessment Board at Near East University. She also contributes to dental education and curriculum development as a member of the Faculty of Dentistry Education Commission and the Education Commission of the Council of Dental Deans.
Prof. Dr. Aksoy’s research interests include cone-beam computed tomography, oral and maxillofacial imaging, paranasal sinus and upper airway anatomy, obstructive sleep apnea, three-dimensional image analysis, and the clinical applications of artificial intelligence in dentistry. She has authored numerous articles in internationally indexed journals and has presented her research at national and international scientific meetings. Her academic achievements have been recognised through several honours, including the European Congress of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology Best Presentation Award and research and publication awards from Near East University.