As Gaury Vajarekar works toward her master of public health degree at The University of Toledo, she has continued to advance her prior research in orthodontics, leading to the award of multiple patents in her home country of India.
Prior to enrolling at UToledo last spring, Vajarekar had earned a bachelor of dental surgery degree in India — equivalent to a D.D.S. in the states — and completed a residency program in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics.
Gaury Vajarekar, who trained as an orthodontist in India and is now working toward her master of public health degree at UToledo, has received patents for four new devices in India.
In addition to clinical practice, she was heavily involved in research, much of which focused on new ways of improving orthodontic care.
“People think you get orthodontic treatment just to look nice, but it’s more than that,” she said. “If your teeth are not aligned properly no matter how much you try to clean them, you’re always going to miss surface areas. Over time it’s going to compromise your dental health. Orthodontics is also largely related to mental health in regard to one’s self-confidence. Speech and breathing are also affected due to orthodontic problems. It’s a lot more than just straight teeth to look good.”
As a student at UToledo, Vajarekar completed successful patent applications for four devices in 2024.
Vajarekar’s first patent was for a design modification of an instrument that dispenses a healing agent while performing dental procedures, helping the dentist relieve pain, reduce swelling and infection, and promote faster healing.
Since then, she and her collaborators also have been granted patents for a self-adjusting dental aligner that uses micro springs for faster and more precise tooth adjustment, an orthodontic monitoring device that allows clinicians to see and track in far greater detail how teeth are moving throughout a patient’s treatment, and a palate expander that uses magnets instead of traditional screws.
“The idea of filing patents was just an extension of my interest in research,” she said. “I think these are just my ways to contribute to scientific literature, which I have been very keen on ever since I learnt about research. Also, patents make you an inventor, which is exciting.”
Despite her success in her home country, Vajarekar was set on coming to the United States to further her education. Though she initially applied to several well-known private schools, she found herself drawn to UToledo.
“With some more research and speaking to some colleagues who are already here, I realized it’s just the name that attracts the international students,” she said. “Public universities are just as good, they just may not be as expensive.”
UToledo also offered Vajarekar a graduate assistantship, which helped seal the deal.
“I love the campus and what it has to offer,” she said. “I am awestruck by the state-of-the-art infrastructure that this place has in terms of UTMC, public health, everything. I’m just so glad to be here.”
Dr. Mounika Polavarapu, an associate professor in the Department of Population Health and one of Vajarekar’s mentors, said she stands out for her hard work and strong commitment to everything she does.
“Gaury is a great example of why students thrive in our program,” Polavarapu said. “We have a wonderful mix of students who bring unique perspectives from their past experiences, and this diversity creates a dynamic environment where they learn from and inspire each other.”
Vajarekar, whose concentration is in epidemiology, said she hopes to eventually become licensed to practice dentistry in the United States. In the meantime, she’s putting her public health work to good use.
Through her graduate assistantship, she’s working as health coach for the Lucas County Board of Commissioners, and she plans to begin applying for public health opportunities as she gets closer to graduation in May.
“This is the field that allows me to be near patients and do as much as I can in healthcare, using all of my knowledge of healthcare,” she said. “It also will be a valuable addition when I do return to dentistry. An M.P.H. teaches you how the country’s healthcare works. It’s not just my clinical skills, I also need to know now the healthcare functions and an M.P.H. gives you that.”
“Her past accomplishments clearly show how passionate she is about her dental profession. At the same time, the effort she is putting into completing her public health training by taking a break from her accomplished career shows her strong commitment to excelling in both areas,” Polavarapu said. “We need healthcare providers who understand the broader public health perspective while caring for their patients.”
