The doctoral thesis of Doctor Simón Pardiñas López “Application of coconut oil in oral health” was defended on December 12, 2025, obtaining the highest grade and the mention Cum Laude “With praise”, a recognition that endorses the originality, scientific and methodological quality, the solidity of the results and the clinical relevance of the project.
1) Simón Pardiñas López’s PhD: clinical and scientific research at the service of oral health
This doctoral work falls within the field of Health Sciences and represents a clear example of evidence-based dentistry. The research connects daily clinical practice with scientific analysis, moving away from speculative or unproven approaches.
The main objective was to evaluate, using rigorous scientific methodology, the real effects of coconut oil on oral health analyzing both its potential benefits and limitations within well-defined clinical protocols.
2) A doctoral project started in 2017
The doctorate began in 2017 and was developed over several years in parallel with the author’s clinical and academic activity. From the outset, the approach was clear:To evaluate, using scientific methodology, the real effects of coconut oil on oral health with special attention to patients with periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory pathology of high prevalence and with implications beyond the oral cavity.
That is to say, to analyze with scientific criteria an intervention widely publicized in popular media, but scarcely evaluated in controlled clinical settings.
2A) Focus on periodontitis and periodontal health
The research focused particularly on patients with periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory pathology of high prevalence, characterized by the progressive destruction of the supporting tissues of the tooth.
Periodontitis not only affects the oral cavity, but is also associated with an increased systemic inflammation. This reinforces the importance of studying any intervention from a comprehensive and multidisciplinary perspective.
3) Research conducted in clinical and hospital reference settings
One of the distinguishing aspects of this doctoral thesis is that the research was developed in real healthcare and scientific settings integrating clinical, laboratory and translational research.
3A) Pardiñas Medical Dental Clinic
Much of the clinical work with patients was carried out in the Pardiñas Dental Clinic, where the study protocols were applied in real dental consultation conditions, allowing the evaluation of clinical feasibility and patient adherence.
3B) INIBIC and analysis of inflammatory processes
The investigation was supported by INIBIC (Biomedical Research Institute of A Coruña), as a member of Cell Therapy and Regenerative Medicine Group providing the necessary scientific framework for the analysis of inflammatory processes and biological mechanisms involved in periodontal disease.
3C) University Clinical Hospital of A Coruña
In collaboration with the Department of Microbiology of University Clinical Hospital of A Coruña the study of the oral microbiota, a key factor in the inflammation, development and progression of periodontitis.
This combination of private clinic, research institute and university hospital allowed for a multidisciplinary approach that is unusual in studies on adjuvant therapies in dentistry.
4) International research stay in New York
As part of the doctoral program, Dr. Pardiñas completed an international research stay at the Bluestone Center for Clinical Research of the New York University, one of the world’s leading centers for clinical dental research.
This stage allowed for strengthening the methodological design of the study, the critical analysis of results, and the integration of international scientific evidence in the development of the doctoral thesis.
5) Coconut oil and periodontitis: an evidence-based investigation
The doctoral thesis analyzed the role of coconut oil as an adjunct therapy in oral health, addressing different levels of study and avoiding common simplifications in general dissemination.
The study’s focus was not only to determine if coconut oil works, but how and why it might work, always from a scientific and critical perspective.
5A) Periodontal clinical changes
Standardized periodontal clinical parameters were evaluated to analyze possible improvements associated with the controlled use of coconut oil within supervised protocols.
5B) Influence on the oral microbiota
The research analyzed the possible influence of coconut oil on regarding the oral microbiota, taking into account the role of certain periodontopathogenic bacteria in the disease progression
5C) Evaluation of inflammatory markers
They studied inflammatory markers, related to both the destruction of periodontal tissues and systemic inflammation, a key aspect in the overall understanding of periodontitis.
5D) Patient experience and perception
The work also included the patient perception and user experience, or a fundamental factor for long-term adherence to any complementary intervention.
6) Science applied to real dentistry
This doctorate stands out for its clear focus on real clinical practice. The results obtained allow for a better understanding of the potential role of certain complementary interventions when used with professional judgment, clinical supervision, and within evidence-based protocols.The thesis helps to separate verified scientific information from simplified claims or those lacking experimental support.
7) An academic milestone that opens new lines of research
Obtaining the title of Doctor of Health Sciences with Cum Laude distinction represents a key milestone in the career of Dr. Simón Pardiñas López, consolidating a comprehensive clinical practice, research and scientific dissemination.
Far from closing a chapter, this thesis opens new lines of work, scientific publications, and research projects aimed at…Improving oral health through scientific rigor and with a real impact on the lives of patients.
