Contact Details
- Phone
- 64 3 470 3556
- harsha.desilva@otago.ac.nz
University Links
- Position
- Associate Professor
- Department
- Department of Oral Diagnostic and Surgical Sciences
- Qualifications
- BDS MS DClinDent FDSRCS FFDRCS
- Research summary
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Research
Clinical and systematic review-based research in oral and maxillofacial surgery including dento-alveolar surgery, maxillofacial trauma, dental implantology and other clinical aspects of the specialty with a special interest in studying clinicopathological behaviour of oral potentially malignant disorders.
Publications
Tjoa, H., Mei, L., De Silva, H., Tong, D., & Guan, G. (2027). Nanobiomechanics in oncology: Atomic force microscopy for cancer mechanophenotyping using cellular Young's modulus. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 57, e70090. doi: 10.1002/snz2.70090 Journal - Research Article
Chee, J., & De Silva, H. L. (2026). Silent invader: A case of Actinomyces-induced mandibular osteomyelitis. New Zealand Dental Journal, 122(2), 63-66. Journal - Research Article
Wu, R., De Silva, H., Broadbent, J. M., & De Silva, R. (2026). The impact of surgery on gingival aesthetics of permanent maxillary ectopic canines. New Zealand Dental Journal, 122(2), 97-102. Journal - Research Article
De Silva, H. (2026). Post-extraction complications. In S. R. Prabhu, N. Stormon, S.-C. Yeoh, R. Naidu, A. Moule & D. H. Felix (Eds.), Oral health and disease: What you should know: A user-friendly oral healthcare guide for the general public. (pp. 317-320). Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-90344-1_56 Chapter in Book - Other
Moore, B., De Silva, H., Samaranayaka, A., De Silva, R., & Tong, D. (2025, September). Occlusal planning in orthognathic surgery: Is a digital equivalent to hand? Verbal presentation at the Faculty of Dentistry Clinical and Research Excellence Symposium, Dunedin, New Zealand. Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
2027
Journal - Research Article
Tjoa, H., Mei, L., De Silva, H., Tong, D., & Guan, G. (2027). Nanobiomechanics in oncology: Atomic force microscopy for cancer mechanophenotyping using cellular Young's modulus. Journal of the Royal Society of New Zealand, 57, e70090. doi: 10.1002/snz2.70090
2026
Chapter in Book - Other
De Silva, H. (2026). Post-extraction complications. In S. R. Prabhu, N. Stormon, S.-C. Yeoh, R. Naidu, A. Moule & D. H. Felix (Eds.), Oral health and disease: What you should know: A user-friendly oral healthcare guide for the general public. (pp. 317-320). Cham, Switzerland: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-90344-1_56
Journal - Research Article
Chee, J., & De Silva, H. L. (2026). Silent invader: A case of Actinomyces-induced mandibular osteomyelitis. New Zealand Dental Journal, 122(2), 63-66.
Wu, R., De Silva, H., Broadbent, J. M., & De Silva, R. (2026). The impact of surgery on gingival aesthetics of permanent maxillary ectopic canines. New Zealand Dental Journal, 122(2), 97-102.
2025
Journal - Research Article
Ronayne, C., Olson, H., De Silva, H., Guan, G., Newsham-West, K., & Anakin, M. (2025). Intertwined, multidirectional and interactive: A qualitative study of students’ experiences of interprofessional competencies during an oral pathology module. Focus on Health Professional Education, 26(2), 46-62.
Monk, J. H., Nanayakkara, T., Puwakdandawa, D., De Silva, H. L., & Farella, M. (2025). Assessing perceptions of orthognathic surgery outcomes: A study among dental and non-dental health professionals. Oral Surgery, 18(1), 24-30. doi: 10.1111/ors.12919
Journal - Research Other
France, A., De Silva, H. L., Tong, D., Mei, L., & Guan, G. (2025). From tooth to vision: A decade of breakthroughs in osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP) and modified OOKP: Global insights into surgical techniques, outcomes, and pioneering research. Seminars in Ophthalmology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1080/08820538.2025.2503910
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Moore, B., De Silva, H., Samaranayaka, A., De Silva, R., & Tong, D. (2025, September). Occlusal planning in orthognathic surgery: Is a digital equivalent to hand? Verbal presentation at the Faculty of Dentistry Clinical and Research Excellence Symposium, Dunedin, New Zealand.
2024
Journal - Research Article
Kim, P., Seo, B., Hussaini, H., Rich, A. M., & de Silva, H. (2024). Epidemiology of odontogenic tumours and selected cysts diagnosed at a single New Zealand oral pathology centre: A 15-year retrospective study. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, 28, 1595-1603. doi: 10.1007/s10006-024-01290-7
Kim, P., Seo, B., & De Silva, H. (2024). Concordance of clinician, Chat-GPT4, and ORAD diagnoses against histopathology in odontogenic keratocysts and tumours: A 15-year New Zealand retrospective study. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, 28, 1557-1569. doi: 10.1007/s10006-024-01284-5
Schurr, A., Yee, H., De Silva, H., Thomson, W. M., & De Silva, R. (2024). Use of articaine by dentists in New Zealand. New Zealand Dental Journal, 120(2), 49-55.
Mane, R., Sharpe-Davidson, W. F., De Silva, H., & Choi, J. J. E. (2024). The perception of the scope of oral and maxillofacial surgery and differentiation from similar specialities among dental students, medical students, trainee interns and pre-vocational junior doctors. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, 28, 1339-1351. doi: 10.1007/s10006-024-01261-y
Praganta, J., De Silva, H., De Silva, R., Tong, D. C., & Thomson, W. M. (2024). Effect of advanced platelet-rich fibrin (A-PRF) on postoperative level of pain and swelling following third molar surgery. Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, 82(5), 581-589. doi: 10.1016/j.joms.2024.02.003
Journal - Research Other
van Kuijk, M., De Silva, H., Chan, L., & Guan, G. (2024). Cribriform adenocarcinoma of the minor salivary glands: Case report and literature review. New Zealand Medical Journal/Te ara tika o te hauora hapori, 137(1599), 103-112. Retrieved from https://www.nzmj.org.nz/
2023
Chapter in Book - Research
Ngeow, W. C., Kallarakkal, T. G., & De Silva, H. L. (2023). Multiple reddish swellings on the gum: Leukemia. In W. M. Tilakaratne & T. G. Kallarakkal (Eds.), Clinicopathological correlation of oral diseases. (pp. 553-562). Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-24408-7_49
Attygalla, A. M., & De Silva, H. L. (2023). Painful swelling in the face and neck: Odontogenic infection. In W. M. Tilakaratne & T. G. Kallarakkal (Eds.), Clinicopathological correlation of oral diseases. (pp. 493-506). Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-24408-7_44
De Silva, H. L., & Tilakaratne, W. M. (2023). Large swelling of the back of the lower jaw: Ameloblastoma. In W. M. Tilakaratne & T. G. Kallarakkal (Eds.), Clinicopathological correlation of oral diseases. (pp. 301-313). Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-24408-7_26
Ramanathan, A., Ismail, S. M., & De Silva, H. L. (2023). Non-healing ulcer in the right lateral surface of the tongue: Oral cancer. In W. M. Tilakaratne & T. G. Kallarakkal (Eds.), Clinicopathological correlation of oral diseases. (pp. 283-298). Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-24408-7_25
Goh, Y. C., Ismail, S. M., & De Silva, H. L. (2023). Hard swelling in the back of the lower jaw: Odontogenic keratocyst. In W. M. Tilakaratne & T. G. Kallarakkal (Eds.), Clinicopathological correlation of oral diseases. (pp. 51-63). Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-24408-7_4
De Silva, H. L., & Seo, B. (2023). Blue-purple lump on the lip: Haemangioma/vascular anomaly. In W. M. Tilakaratne & T. G. Kallarakkal (Eds.), Clinicopathological correlation of oral diseases. (pp. 129-140). Cham, Switzerland: Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/978-3-031-24408-7_12
Journal - Research Article
Edirisinghe, S. T., Devmini, T., Pathmaperuma, S., Weerasekera, M., de Silva, K., Liyanage, I., … Rich, A., De Silva, H., Hussaini, H., … Yasawardene, S. (2023). Risk assessment of alcohol consumption for oral cancer: A case-control study in patients attending the National Cancer Institute (Apeksha Hospital, Maharagama) of Sri Lanka. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 24, 1181-1185. doi: 10.31557/apjcp.2023.24.4.1181
Edirisinghe, S. T., Weerasekera, M., De Silva, D. K., Devmini, M. T., Pathmaperuma, S., Wijesinghe, G. K., … Hussaini, H., Rich, A. M., De Silva, H., Milne, T., … Yasawardene, S. (2023). Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGF-A) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) as potential biomarkers for oral squamous cell carcinoma: A Sri Lankan study. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 24(1), 267-274. doi: 10.31557/apjcp.2023.24.1.267
Yu, S., De Silva, H., Narsinh, P., Marra, J., Fong, A., & Dias, G. (2023). Assessing the feasibility of using autogenous maxillary bone graft to repair isolated orbital floor fractures: A pilot study using CT measurements. Oral Surgery, 16(1), 41-46. doi: 10.1111/ors.12756
Journal - Professional & Other Non-Research Articles
De Silva, H. (2023). [Review of the book Essentials of orthognathic surgery, third edition]. New Zealand Dental Journal, 119(4), 198. [Book Review].
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Lintern, J., Thomson, W. M., De Silva, H., & Ling, G. (2023, July). Hyperbaric oxygen: Who wants it? A case-series analysis of patients referred for hyperbaric oxygen in the prevention or management of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) in New Zealand. Verbal presentation at the Faculty of Dentistry Clinical and Research Excellence Symposium, Dunedin, New Zealand.
2022
Journal - Research Article
Edirisinghe, S. T., Weerasekera, M., De Silva, D. K., Liyanage, I., Niluka, M., Madushika, K., … Rich, A. M., De Silva, H., Hussaini, H. M., … Yasawardene, S. (2022). The risk of oral cancer among different categorise tobacco smoking exposure in Sri Lanka. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention, 23, 2929-2935. doi: 10.31557/apjcp.2022.23.9.2929
Tay, W. Z., Dong, F., Kalmadin, N. I., Hussaini, H. M., De Silva, H. L., & Rich, A. M. (2022). PD-L1 expression in non-dysplastic, dysplastic and oral squamous cell carcinoma samples. New Zealand Dental Journal, 118(1), 15-24.
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Praganta, J., De Silva, H., Thomson, M., De Silva, R., & Tong, D. (2022). Effects of Advanced Platelet-Rich Fibrin (A-PRF) on short-term third molar surgery outcomes: A single-blinded randomised controlled trial. New Zealand Dental Journal, 118(4), (pp. 174). [Abstract]
Tan, N., De Silva, R., De Silva, H., Thomson, M., & Tong, D. (2022). Knotless third molar wound closure. New Zealand Dental Journal, 118(4), (pp. 173). [Abstract]
2021
Journal - Research Article
Wu, T. Y., Sun, G., De Silva, H., & Thomson, W. M. (2021). New Zealand general dental practitioners' perspectives on medication related to osteonecrosis of the jaw. New Zealand Dental Journal, 117(4), 202-210.
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Arora, S., Wan, Z. T., Dong, F., Kalmadin, N. I., de Silva, H., Seo, B., Hussaini, H. M., & Rich, A. M. (2021). PD-L1 and FoxP3 expression in oral dysplastic tissues and oral squamous cell carcinoma. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology & Oral Radiology, 132(1), (pp. e7-e8). doi: 10.1016/j.oooo.2021.03.043
2020
Journal - Research Other
Won, J., De Silva, H. L., De Silva, R. K., & Colambage, S. (2020). An unusual lingual lesion: Actinomycosis of the tongue. Oral Surgery, 13(1), 33-36. doi: 10.1111/ors.12437
Won, J., De Silva, H. L., & De Silva, R. K. (2020). A diagnostic dilemma: An unusually large osteochondroma of the mandibular condyle and temporo-mandibular dysfunction. Oral Surgery, 13, 164-167. doi: 10.1111/ors.12471
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Edirisinghe, S., Yasewardene, S., Weerasekera, M., Rich, A., De Silva, H., Milne, T., Hussaini, H., … Gunasinghe, R. (2020). Association of smoking and level of expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene with oral squamous cell carcinoma. Journal of Anatomy, 236(Suppl. 1), P1-CM12. doi: 10.1111/joa.13163
2019
Journal - Research Article
Lamb, A. W., Hong, C. L., De Silva, H. L., Thomson, W. M., & Broadbent, J. M. (2019). New Zealand oral health practitioners' cross-infection control practices. New Zealand Dental Journal, 115(1), 5-10.
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Lau, A., De Silva, R., Tong, D., Thomson, M., & De Silva, H. (2019). Efficacy of intravenous and submucosal dexamethasone after third molar surgery. New Zealand Dental Journal, 115, (pp. 164). [Abstract]
2018
Journal - Professional & Other Non-Research Articles
Heo, J., Choi, H., & De Silva, H. L. (2018). Displacement of mandibular third molar into a submandibular space: A case report. New Zealand Dental Journal, 114(1), 41-44. [Book Review].
Awarded Doctoral Degree
De Silva, H. L. (2018). Does Candida albicans influence oral carcinogenesis? (DClinDent). University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/10523/8569
2017
Journal - Research Article
Hong, C. L., Lamb, A. W., Broadbent, J. M., De Silva, H. L., & Thomson, W. M. (2017). An update on New Zealand oral health practitioners’ preparedness for medical emergencies. New Zealand Dental Journal, 113(4), 5-12.
De Silva, N., Samanmali, R., & De Silva, H. L. (2017). Managing occupational stress of professionals in large construction projects. Journal of Engineering, Design & Technology, 15(4), 488-504. doi: 10.1108/JEDT-09-2016-0066
Siddiqi, A., Niazi, M. I. K., De Silva, H., Firth, N., Konthasingha, P., & Zafar, S. (2017). Percutaneous exposure incidents: A review of practice and awareness of current protocols at a dental faculty. Oral Surgery, 10(4), e80-e87. doi: 10.1111/ors.12282
Best, A. D., De Silva, R. K., Thomson, W. M., Tong, D. C., Cameron, C. M., & De Silva, H. L. (2017). Efficacy of codeine when added to paracetamol (acetaminophen) and ibuprofen for relief of postoperative pain after surgical removal of impacted third molars: A double-blinded randomised control trial. Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, 75(10), 2063-2069. doi: 10.1016/j.joms.2017.04.045
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Ong, S.-W., Tong, D., Thomson, W. M., De Silva, R. K., & De Silva, H. L. (2017). Third molar surgery outcomes: A choice between intravenous sedation and general anaesthetic. New Zealand Dental Journal, 113(4), (pp. 60). [Abstract]
Ong, S. W., Tong, D. C., Thomson, W. M., De Silva, R. K., & De Silva, H. L. (2017). Third molar surgery outcomes: A comparison between intravenous sedation and general anaesthetic. International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, 46 (Suppl.1), (pp. 111). doi: 10.1016/j.ijom.2017.02.393
Conference Contribution - Poster Presentation (not in published proceedings)
Loo, Z. Y., De Silva, H. L., De Silva, R. K., & Farella, M. (2017, May). Comparison of airway space and hyoid bone changes of skeletal class II patients receiving combined orthodontic and surgical treatment to skeletal class II patients receiving orthodontic treatment alone. Poster session presented at the American College of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons and the Canadian Association of Oral and maxillofacial Surgeons Joint Annual Conference, Vancouver, Canada.
2016
Journal - Research Article
Coetzee, A., Goodhew, E. L., De Silva, H. L., & Thomson, W. M. (2016). Steroid prophylaxis: The knowledge and practices of New Zealand General Dental Practitioners. New Zealand Dental Journal, 112(4), 102-107.
2015
Journal - Research Article
Friedlander, L. T., Hussaini, H., Cullinan, M. P., Seymour, G. J., De Silva, R. K., De Silva, H., Cameron, C., & Rich, A. M. (2015). VEGF and VEGFR2 in dentigerous cysts associated with impacted third molars. Pathology, 47(5), 446-451. doi: 10.1097/pat.0000000000000272
Jung, T. K., De Silva, H. L., Konthasingha, P. P., & Tong, D. C. (2015). Trends in paediatric maxillofacial trauma presenting to Dunedin Hospital, 2006 to 2012. New Zealand Dental Journal, 111(2), 76-79.
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Nolan, A., de Silva, H., Royds, J., & Hung, N. (2015). A pilot study of HPV related sialadenitis. Scandinavian Journal of Immunology, 81, (pp. 353). doi: 10.1111/sji.12291
Niazi, M. I., De Silva, H., Firth, N., Konthasingha, P., & Siddiqi, A. (2015). Percutaneous-exposure-incidents at a dental faculty: A review of practice. Journal of Dental Research, 94(Spec Iss B), 2327261. Retrieved from http://www.iadr.org/
2014
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Friedlander, L. T., Rich, A. M., Cullinan, M. P., De Silva, H., De Silva, G. R., & Seymour, G. J. (2014). Spatial localization of angiogenic growth factors and receptors in immature permanent teeth. International Endodontic Journal, 47(1), (pp. -96). doi: 10.1111/iej.12212
2013
Journal - Research Article
Choi, H. J., De Silva, R. K., Tong, D. C., De Silva, H. L., Love, R. M., & Athens, J. (2013). The thickness of parietal bones in a New Zealand sample of cadaveric skulls in relation to calvarial bone graft. Craniomaxillofacial Trauma & Reconstruction, 6(2), 115-120. doi: 10.1055/s-0033-1343788
Ng, D., De Silva, R. K., Smit, R., De Silva, H., & Farella, M. (2013). Facial attractiveness of skeletal Class II patients before and after mandibular advancement surgery as perceived by people with different backgrounds. European Journal of Orthodontics, 35(4), 515-520. doi: 10.1093/ejo/cjs028
2012
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper
De Silva, H. L. (2012). Diagnosis and management of potentially malignant oral disorders. Annals of the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, 21, (pp. 60-62). [Full Paper]
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Farella, M., Ng, D., Zhou, M., De Silva, H., & De Silva, R. K. (2012, June). Blinded versus unblinded evaluations of orthodontic outcome: Does it make a difference? Verbal presentation at the European Orthodontic Society 88th Congress, Santiago de Compostela, Spain.
2011
Journal - Research Article
Dias, D. K., De Silva, H. L., & Senadeera, W. M. (2011). Mid-maxillary distraction osteogenesis of cleft patients using a special custom-made tooth-borne device. Ceylon Medical Journal, 56(3), 108-111.
Parton, A. L., Tong, D. C., De Silva, H. L., Farella, M., & De Silva, R. K. (2011). A nine-year review of orthognathic surgery at the University of Otago. New Zealand Dental Journal, 107(4), 117-120.
Jattan, R., De Silva, H. L., De Silva, R. K., Rich, A. M., & Love, R. M. (2011). A case series of odontogenic keratocysts from a New Zealand population over a 20-year period. New Zealand Dental Journal, 107(4), 112-116.
Campbell, D. I., De Silva, R. K., De Silva, H., Sinon, S. H., & Rich, A. M. (2011). Temporomandibular joint synovial chondromatosis with intracranial extension: A review and observations of patient observed for 4 years. Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, 69(8), 2247-2252. doi: 10.1016/j.joms.2010.10.042
Patel, K. J., De Silva, H. L., Tong, D. C., & Love, R. M. (2011). Concordance between clinical and histopathologic diagnoses of oral mucosal lesions. Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, 69(1), 125-133. doi: 10.1016/j.joms.2010.07.075
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
De Silva, H. L., & De Silva, R. K. (2011). An unusually large osteochondroma of the mandibular condyle: Diagnostic confusion with temporomandibulay dysfunction. International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, 40(10), (pp. 1101). doi: 10.1016/j.ijom.2011.07.254
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
De Silva, H. L. (2011, March). Orbito-zygomatic complex fractures [College Lecture]. Verbal presentation at the 24th Annual Academic Sessions of the College of Dentistry and Stomatology of Sri Lanka, Battaramulla, Sri Lanka.
2010
Journal - Research Other
Dias, D. K., De Silva, H. L., & Shanmuganadan, S. (2010). Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Presenting with symptoms mimicking dental disease [Case report]. Sri Lanka Dental Journal, 40(1), 35-44.
2009
Journal - Research Article
De Silva, H. L. (2009). Management of odontogenic infections. New Zealand Dental Association News, 147, 14-16.
Naidoo, R. J., De Silva, H. L., & Tong, D. C. (2009). Full frontal: Considerations in a 16-year-old rugby player with a frontal sinus fracture. New Zealand Dental Journal, 105(2), 51-55.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
De Silva, H. (2009, May). Surgical management of facial disfigurement: Experience from a provincial hospital in a developing country. Verbal presentation at the Faculty of Dentistry Clinical Excellence Day, Dunedin, New Zealand.
2008
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Becconsall, K., De Silva, H., & De Silva, R. K. (2008, June). Rugby: A contact sport. Verbal presentation at the Clinical Excellence Symposium of Patient Care, Dunedin, New Zealand.