Campus & Community

When Dr. Abbas Jessani came to Canada in 2011 to pursue graduate studies, being named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 was far beyond anything he could have imagined. Fifteen years later, his work to improve access to oral health care for underserved communities in Canada and internationally has earned him a place among the 2026 recipients of the national award, which recognizes 40 Canadians under the age of 40 for their leadership, impact in the community and achievements. “I feel immense gratitude to everyone who has shaped my work and my journey,” said Jessani, a professor in dentistry and epidemiology and biostatistics at Western’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. “I also feel very lucky and blessed to be part of a team, an institution and a family that have been so supportive and have contributed to this prestigious honour.” Born and raised in Pakistan, Jessani completed an undergraduate dental degree at the University of Karachi. When he decided to pursue graduate studies in Canada, his family made significant financial sacrifices to support his journey. “Growing up, I saw the financial challenges my family faced and how hard my parents worked to support my education. When I moved to Canada for graduate studies, I had enough resources to cover my first semester’s tuition,” he said. “Those experiences shaped my journey and strengthened my commitment to advancing equity and access to care.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBFonWou1bI Jessani went on to complete his MSc and PhD studies at the University of British Columbia, focusing on public health dentistry. He began his academic career at University of Saskatchewan, College of Dentistry, before joining Schulich Medicine & Dentistry in 2020. Throughout his career, Jessani has focused on making oral health care accessible to everyone. “Equitable oral healthcare means that everyone is treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their financial status, race, skin colour, or sexual orientation,” he said.  

Bringing community service learning to dentistry students

At Schulich Dentistry, Jessani leads the Community Service Learning (CSL) in Oral Health program, which works with communities in Southwestern Ontario and East Africa to improve access to oral health for socially marginalized populations. The program brings together community partners, experiential student learning and research to develop and deliver care that reflects local and global health needs, particularly in communities that have historically faced barriers to oral health services. Jessani is also the co-director of the master of health sciences in global health systems program at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. For Jessani, some of the most meaningful examples of that work have come through the students he teaches. He recalls a dental student who had arrived in Canada as a refugee from Iraq and wanted to give back to the settlement centre – London Cross Cultural Learning Centre – that had supported her family. “We were able to develop a CSL partnership with the Cross Cultural Learning Centre because of the student’s intention and passion to serve,” he said. “I watched her go back to the centre where she had first arrived as a refugee 20 years ago, this time as a dental student serving the community – that’s what the CSL program is all about – empowering our learners and communities.” It’s an example of the broader impact Jessani hopes to create by championing community-engaged dental education. For him, the Top 40 Under 40 recognition is also a chance to reflect on the path that brought him to Canada and the people who supported him along the way. Over the years, he says his success has rested on four main pillars: “Work hard, be kind, dream big and always take care of your mom.” Learn more about how Western is optimizing health for all.