Alexandria, VA, USA – The International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR) has announced Sudeshni Naidoo as the 2026 recipient of the IADR Distinguished Scientist John Greenspan Global Oral Health Research Award. Naidoo, from the University of the Western Cape, was recognized during the Opening Ceremonies of the 104th General Session of the IADR, which was held in conjunction with the 55th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research and the 50th Annual Meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research on March 25-28, 2026 in San Diego, CA, USA.
Naidoo is Emeritus Professor and Dental Public Health Specialist at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and serves as the Director of the UWC World Health Organization (WHO) Centre for Oral Health. She received a Masters in Dental Public Health from the University of London, UK and a Diploma in Dental Public health from the Royal College of Surgeons of England, followed by her specialist M.Ch.D. degree in Community Dentistry. Her Ph.D. documented the craniofacial manifestations of children with fetal alcohol syndrome. She successfully completed the Diploma in International Research Ethics at the University of Cape Town, South Africa and in 2013 was awarded the D.Sc. degree from UWC.
While her primary focus of research is on infectious diseases and control, her leadership in the field of bioethics, nutrition and the noncommunicable diseases, trauma and child abuse, and in the use of technology for mHealth has been recognized by her service as President of the IADR South African Division. She is the current President of the International Dental Ethics and Law Society (IDEALS) and Chair of the Preliminary Committee of Inquiry at the Health Professions Council of South Africa.
Supported by Haleon, the IADR John Greenspan Global Oral Health Research Award honors IADR and AADOCR Past President John Greenspan, who was the founding President of the IADR Global Oral Health Inequalities Research Network and the Consortium of Universities for Global Health’s Global Oral Health Interest Group. One of the 17 IADR Distinguished Scientist Awards, it is one of the highest honors bestowed by IADR. The award consists of a monetary award and a plaque and recognizes research that addresses inequalities in global oral health.
About IADR
The International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to drive dental, oral, and craniofacial research for health and well-being worldwide. IADR represents the individual scientists, clinician-scientists, dental professionals, and students based in academic, government, non-profit, and private-sector institutions who share our mission. Learn more at www.iadr.org.
