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Falk Schwendicke named recipient of the 2026 IADR Distinguished Scientist William H. Bowen Research in Dental Caries Award

Falk Schwendicke, a renowned researcher, has been awarded the 2026 IADR Distinguished Scientist William H. Bowen Research in Dental Caries Award for his groundbreaking work on caries detection and management. His research, including AI-assisted caries detection, has set new standards for clinical research in this field.

Hal Duncan named recipient of the 2026 IADR Distinguished Scientist Award in Pulp Biology & Regeneration

Hal Duncan, a Professor and Consultant in Endodontics at Trinity College Dublin, received the 2026 IADR Distinguished Scientist Award for his outstanding research contributions in pulp biology. His work focuses on translational pulp biology and applied vital pulp treatment using epigenetic modifications.

Mary C. Farach-Carson named recipient of the 2026 IADR Distinguished Scientist Award in Salivary Research

Mary C. Farach-Carson, an internationally recognized leader in extracellular matrix biology and salivary tissue engineering, has been awarded the IADR Distinguished Scientist Award. Her research reveals key functions of ECM components in organizing stem/progenitor cell microstructures and guiding cell migration.

People who can’t afford dental care may be at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease, dementia

A new study found that older people who forego necessary dental procedures due to financial barriers may experience heart failure, a heart attack, a stroke, or dementia. The researchers suggest that alleviating upstream factors such as financial constraints could prevent chronic disease.

SourceBoston University School of Public Health·JournalThe Journals of Gerontology Series A·TypeObservational study·DateApr 1, 2026

Alexander Kerr named recipient of the 2026 IADR Distinguished Scientist Award in Oral Medicine & Pathology Research

Alexander Kerr, NYU Clinical Professor, recognized for outstanding research on oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma and oral potentially malignant disorders. The IADR Distinguished Scientist Award is one of the highest honors bestowed by IADR, recognizing contributions to understanding oral health and disease mechanisms.

David Conway named recipient of the 2026 IADR Distinguished Scientist H. Trendley Dean Memorial Award

David Conway, Professor of Dental Public Health at the University of Glasgow, has been recognized for his research on socioeconomic inequalities in health and oral health, particularly head and neck cancer and child oral health. His work has attracted significant funding and informed public health policies globally.

Wendy Thompson named recipient of the 2026 IADR Distinguished Scientist Award in Pharmacology/Therapeutics/Toxicology Research

Wendy Thompson, a Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Manchester, has been awarded the IADR Distinguished Scientist Award in Pharmacology/Therapeutics/Toxicology Research. Her research focus on antimicrobial stewardship and primary dental care has made significant contributions to the field.

A stiff defense: Rethinking gum disease

New research demonstrates that restoring the physical stiffness of the gingival tissue can fundamentally change how cells respond to infection, potentially paving the way for new treatments. The study uses a hydrogel system to investigate how gum tissue stiffness impacts periodontal disease inflammation.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 31, 2026

Sudeshni Naidoo named recipient of the 2026 IADR Distinguished Scientist John Greenspan Global Oral Health Research Award

Sudeshni Naidoo, a renowned researcher and specialist in dental public health, has been awarded the IADR Distinguished Scientist John Greenspan Global Oral Health Research Award. Her work focuses on infectious diseases, bioethics, nutrition, and noncommunicable diseases, among other areas.

Brian Foster named recipient of the 2026 IADR Distinguished Scientist Award in Basic Research in Biological Mineralization

Brian Foster, Associate Professor at The Ohio State University, has been recognized for his work on biological mineralization. He is the recipient of the IADR Distinguished Scientist Award, supported by Unilever Oral Care, for his contributions to cementum and biomineralization research.

Decoding the pattern and mechanisms that provide hardness to tooth enamel

A study on mouse incisors reveals a cellular mechanism behind the unique decussation patterns of tooth enamel, which form the enamel's hardness through directional sliding and coordinated migration of ameloblasts. The findings provide new insights into how dental stem and progenitor cells maintain and repair enamel-forming tissues.

SourceEditorial Office of West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University·JournalInternational Journal of Oral Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 11, 2026

New molecular switch that boosts tooth regeneration discovered

Researchers discover SMAD7 acts as a positive regulator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, promoting dental pulp stem cell regeneration and tissue repair. The study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms governing tooth regeneration and holds promise for regenerative endodontic procedures.

SourceEditorial Office of West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University·JournalInternational Journal of Oral Science·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 10, 2026

Mechanisms by which smoking worsens periodontitis discovered

Researchers identified altered gene expression in smokers with periodontitis, leading to weakened gum epithelial integrity and excessive inflammation. A new target molecule, CXCL12, was found to drive immune-cell recruitment and inflammation, making it a potential therapeutic approach.

SourceEditorial Office of West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University·JournalInternational Journal of Oral Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2026

New composite hydrogel shows promise for treating dental pulp infection

A new composite hydrogel containing Li-Ca-Si bioceramics particles and gelatin methacryloyl matrix has shown promise in treating dental pulp infections by facilitating innervation and odontogenic differentiation. The hydrogel promoted Schwann cell regeneration, cytocompatibility for dental pulp stem cells, and proliferation of DPSCs.

SourceEditorial Office of West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University·JournalInternational Journal of Oral Science·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 16, 2025

Gum disease may be linked to plaque buildup in arteries, higher risk of major CVD events

New research from the American Heart Association finds a strong association between gum disease and increased risk of heart attack, stroke, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and cardiometabolic health conditions. The study suggests that effective prevention and treatment of gum disease could potentially decrease the burden of cardiov...

SourceAmerican Heart Association·JournalCirculation·DateDec 16, 2025

IADR welcomes the adoption of the UN Political Declaration on NCDs and Mental Health

The International Association for Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research (IADR) celebrates the robust inclusion of oral health in the adopted declaration. This recognizes that ~3.7 billion people live with oral diseases, imposing a significant health burden. IADR urges Member States to translate commitments into concrete national actio...

Uncovering dental caries heterogeneity in NHANES using machine learning

Researchers develop an integrated pipeline to analyze and visualize NHANES dental caries data, identifying age-driven heterogeneity and novel associations between caries status, environmental factors, and disease markers. The study demonstrates the value of integrating machine learning with large-scale observational data for deeper ins...

Non-prescription pain meds work equally well for men and women after tooth extraction

A new study by Rutgers University found that over-the-counter pain medications are as effective as opioids in reducing pain after tooth extraction for both men and women. The study's results confirm the analgesic effect of non-opioid medications, which were superior to opioids in terms of sleep quality and daily activity interference.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJAMA Network Open·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 6, 2025

Tooth code cracked: Scientists find cells that know when, where, and how to grow teeth

Researchers discovered that young dental cells are directed by their position along the lingual-buccal axis to grow into distinct structures. Cells on one side formed tooth enamel, while those on the other side focused on stem cell activity and supporting tissue growth.

SourceEditorial Office of West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University·JournalInternational Journal of Oral Science·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 23, 2025

Generative artificial intelligence: Opportunities, risks, and responsibilities for oral sciences

Generative AI accelerates scientific discovery in oral sciences, but requires transparent disclosure and robust verification methods to ensure responsible integration. The use of AI in research demands human oversight, accountability, and continuous monitoring to maintain quality and credibility.