Laura Dempster

Dr. Laura Dempster is a Professor at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Toronto (UofT). She has a PhD (Institute of Medical Science, UofT), over 25 years of experience as a researcher and educator and collaborates in health care innovation initiatives.

Laura leads the Education Research theme at Dentistry with a program of research exploring the dynamics of communication and trust in the provider/patient relationship and teaching and learning pedagogy. She has extensive experience studying patient narratives in health care using both survey and interview methodology. Her research intersects with her role teaching Communication Skills, Behavioural Science and Research Methods and Dissemination. In addition, Laura supervises students in the Translational Research Program (TRP) at UofT’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine.

Laura contributes publications and presentations in dental education, research and scholarship at the local, national and international levels. This includes a 5-year term as a Key Opinion Leader with Colgate-Palmolive (USA). Laura also held the inaugural Kamienski Professorship in Dental Education Research and is cross appointed as a Wilson Centre Scholar at the Wilson Centre for Research in Education at University Hospital Network (UHN) and as an Affiliated Scientist at the Centre for Ambulatory Care Education (CACE), Women’s College Hospital.