Education Qualifications

• Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS)
  University of Nis, Serbia, 1998.
• MSc in Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry
  Joint Program: Karolinska Institutet, Sweden, & University of Nis, Serbia, 2003.
  Thesis: Contemporary analysis of hard dental tissue proteins.
• Specialist Certification in Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry
  University of Nis, Serbia, 2004.
• MSc in Healthcare Management
  Joint Program: London School of Economics, UK & University of Belgrade, Serbia.
  Thesis: Branding of the University Dental Clinic at the City of Nis.
• Ph.D. in Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry
  University of Nis, Serbia, 2008.
  Dissertation: Role of carbonic anhydrase, nitrogen monoxide, and buffers of saliva in assessing caries risk in children with permanent dentition.

Experience

• Research Associate, Karolinska Institutet, Sweden (2000-2001).
• Lecturer, University of Nis, Serbia (2004-2008).
• Senior Consultant & Specialist, Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, University Dental Clinic, Serbia (2004-2015).
• Assistant Professor, Senior Consultant, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, University of Nis, Serbia (2008-2015).
• Associate Professor, Gulf Medical University (2015-2024).
• Clinical Coordinator, Thumbay Medical & Dental Specialty Center, UAE (2020-present).
• Full Professor, Head of Department – Department of Preventive Dental Science, Program Director – Diploma for Dental Assistant, Gulf Medical University (March 2024-October 2024).
• Full Professor, Pediatric & Preventive Dentistry, RAK Medical & Health Sciences University, College of Dentistry, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE (October 2024 – Present).

Courses Taught

• Community Dentistry
• Clinical Pediatric Dentistry
• Comprehensive Clinical Dentistry

Publications

• Author of 55 research articles, including works on salivary biomarkers, caries risk assessment, low-level laser therapy, and artificial intelligence in dentistry.
• Research interests: Saliva Biology, Medical Education, Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry, and Community Dentistry.
• Selected recent publications (last 10):

1. Khawlah Rashed Ahmed Al-Dhanhani, et al. Evaluating Root Canal Treatment Quality by Undergraduate Dental Students at Gulf Medical University. J Int Dent Med Res (2024).
2. Heba M. Abdelaal, et al. Effectiveness of Peer-Assisted Learning – Perception of Dental Students. J Int Dent Med Res (2023).
3. Abdelaal HM, Surdilovic D, et al. The Role of Carbonic Anhydrase Enzyme in Salivary Buffer Activity as a Marker in Caries Risk Assessment. J Int Dent Med Res (2023).
4. Surdilovic D, Abdelaal HM, et al. Using Artificial Intelligence in Preventive Dentistry: A Narrative Review. J Datta Meghe Inst Med Sci Univ (2023).
5. Surdilovic D, et al. Evaluation of the Dunning-Kruger Effects Among Dental Students. Acta Stomatol Croat (2022).
6. MN Prabhu, et al. Transmission of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans & Porphyromonas gingivalis in Periodontal Diseases. IJPHRD (2020).
7. Surdilovic D, et al. Soft Tissue Dental Lasers. IJPHRD (2018).
8. Surdilovic D, et al. Hemorrhage Control and Infection Prevention in Exodontia of Natal Teeth. Acta Stomatologica Naissi (2018).
9. Surdilovic D, et al. Non-Collagen Protein in Dentin Tissue: Role in Dentinogenesis. Biomed Pharmacol J (2018).
10. Surdilovic D, et al. Complete Treatment of Mouth Cavity After Early Childhood Caries: A Case Report. Acta Stomatologica Naissi (2017).

Achievements

• World Dental Conference: Best Pedodontist of the Year, Dubai (2018).
• Serbian Medical Society: Best Graduate Student Award (1998).
• Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International: Excellence in Reviewing Award (2021).
• Active member of professional bodies like the European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and Norwegian Dental Association (Since 2013 – Present).