U of T’s Dean of Dentistry on leave pending investigation into racist images used in lecture

The dean of the University of Toronto’s (U of T) Faculty of Dentistry, Anil Kishen, is on leave and the school says it has launched an investigation after racist images were used in one of his recent lectures.

In a statement provided to CP24, Trevor Young, U of T’s vice-president and provost, said the professor in question has “committed to participating fully” in the probe, adding he’ll remain off pending its outcome.

“The Dean reports that he used these images without appreciating the antisemitic and discriminatory meanings, and their negative impact on Jewish colleagues and students and the broader learning environment. He has removed the images from his course materials and has apologized directly to his class and the broader Faculty,” Young wrote in an email.

“He has also committed to exercising greater diligence in reviewing course materials to support an inclusive and respectful learning environment for all, and to improving his understanding and awareness of antisemitism and other forms of discrimination.

The university said it is not commenting further on the situation.

Kishen, a decorated academic, author, and inventor who specializes in oral health nanomedicine and endodontics, was appointed as the Dean of U of T’s Faculty of dentistry in April 2025. He assumed the role on July 1, 2025, for a five-year term, the university said in a media release. Kishen joined U of T in 2009.

CP24 has also reached out to Kishen directly, but we have not heard back.