A/Prof Lara Friedlander

Associate Professor Lara Friedlander is an Associate Dean and Head of Discipline for Endodontics at the University of Otago, New Zealand.

Lara leads the Clinical Doctorate programme for specialist training in Endodontics and has supervised numerous Doctorate and PhD students. Recently, she spearheaded research to develop a New Zealand clinical guideline for managing patients with deep caries and the exposed pulp.

She introduced advanced endodontic modules using rotary and reciprocating techniques into the Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme at Otago and contributed to an international panel that has developed guidelines for teaching endodontics in dental schools.

Lara has also served as the Chief Examiner for the RACDS Fellowship in general dental practice and has received multiple international Fellowships and meritorious service awards for her contributions to the dental profession and education.

With over 100 publications, she is an internationally recognised lecturer and leader in her field focusing on clinical endodontics, links between endodontics and systemic disease, pulp biology and dental education.

She serves on the Board of the New Zealand Dental Research Foundation and has a special interest in vital pulp treatment. She is also a member of a global pulp preservation advisory board and a key opinion leader to industry.

Lara is passionate about enhancing general dentists' endodontic skills and led the creation of New Zealand’s first Practice-Based Research Network, aimed at translating clinical questions into initiatives that improve patient treatment outcomes.