Parts and prosthetics: Elena Parfentseva at TEDxYouth@Skolkovo

In her charming talk, Doctor of Dentistry Elena Parfentseva, gives us some eye-opening insights on how new technology using composite materials helps medicine to offer people more personalized treatments.

(Applause)

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.

I've dreamed of becoming a doctor
since I was a child,

and my dream has come true.

The everyday work of a dentist
is measured by pleasant indicators,

such as an increase in smiles

and seeing the patient's self-esteem grow.

However, we work according
to certain standards.

In the old days, married Japanese women
dyed their teeth with black lacquer.

It was a symbol of eternal faithfulness
to their spouses.

There was a time when golden teeth
symbolized wealth.

But we would hardly follow
these forms of beauty today.

We found that a healthy snow-white smile
is a sign of beauty in dentistry.

But as a doctor,
I know what it takes to get it.

It's the materials that lie behind it.

Nowadays, we are able
to close even large defects

with the help of brand-new
composite materials.

But sometimes we don't even realize

how a filling, done by a dentist,
may impact our entire body.

Though it does impact it.

Some certified dental materials,
for instance,

can trigger these kinds of inexplicable
allergic reactions in some people.

This highly concerns me.

We all know that artificial materials
are not only used in dentistry,

but also in medicine in general.

We strive to achieve
the most humane goals in medicine.

Do you know this individual?

He is a sonochromatic cyborg.

From birth, he lacked the ability
to distinguish colors.

His name is Neil Harbisson.

But now thanks to a chip
that was implanted into his brain,

he is able to hear colors.

That's right, "hear" not "see" them.

Blue and pink colors, for instance,
light up differently in this brain.

Isn't this a wonderful opportunity
for someone who has been deprived of it?

People have unlimited possibilities.

When looking at these pictures,
do you feel any dread?

Does this trigger any feelings of fear?

Some of the things that happen around us,

we need to look at
not only from a positive perspective,

but also from a critical one,

which is something I do at work,
and when reading various science articles.

Our hand can be considered
as the crown of creation for mankind.

Our thumb is opposable to our fingers,

and according to Darwin's
evolution theory,

our hand is able to perform
various movements.

Let's take a look at an innovative hand
made by Touch Bionics.

It enables rotational movements

that are stronger
than those of the average person.

Aren't we depriving our descendants

of the ability to compete
against their robotic colleagues?

Do you know that 2045 has been declared
as the year of human immortality

based on technological progress?

At the same time other predictions tell us

that we will need an individual approach
towards medical treatment of individuals.

These are somewhat controversial data.

Geneticists are trying
to come up with drugs

customized for people based on their DNA.

But the main principle of medicine
should remain "do no harm."

And we understand this,
and are working on it.

We have all been created different.

So treatment plans should differ.

In my work, I try to follow
these principles every day.

I think that the future
is in personalized medicine,

and in the meantime,
I will continue giving people smiles.

Be well. Thank you for your attention.

(Applause)