2026 IADR/AADOCR/CADR General Session Featured Presentations

Session 1: Reimagining Oral Health through Research, Innovation and Policy
Wednesday, March 25
1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. PDT (UTC-7)

This first session begins with a 10–15-minute presentation from each speaker, followed by a panel discussion. The goal is to set the tone of the Meeting Within a Meeting, outlining a shared vision for collaboration across academia, industry, non-profit, and government sectors to advance oral health equity, innovation, and sustainability.

Objectives:
•    Redefine leadership in oral health innovation, digital health and emerging technologies.
•    Develop legislative and policy strategies to expand oral health benefits integrating oral health into overall health.
•    Craft a shared agenda for sustainability.
•    Shared and collaborative research agenda between industry, non-profits, and academia.
•    Identify sustainable funding models to leverage public, private and philanthropic investments.

Speakers:
1.    Micheal Reddy, Dean, University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry
2.    Eric Tranby, Senior Director, Analytics and Data Insights, CareQuest Institute for Oral Health
3.    Maria Ryan, Vice President and Chief Dental Officer, Colgate-Palmolive

Discussion Questions:
1.    What are the leadership qualities we most need today?
2.    How do we collaborate across sectors?
3.    What does a sustained collaborative look like?
4.    How to Medicare/Medicaid reforms impact dental education and research?

Session 2: What are the Current Barriers in Dental Education, Research, and Health Systems in 2026?
Thursday, March 26
8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. PDT (UTC-7)

Objectives:
•    Analyze the impact of the Reconciliation Act, White House Executive Orders (EO), and other administrative actions on dental education and research.
•    Identify economic and structural challenges in dental academia and research.
•    Understand the role of academic freedom and tenure in the current environment.
•    Explore curricular and research innovations in the context of academic freedom.
•    Discuss how DEI commitments can be reframed when the political climate treats them as liabilities.

Speakers:
1.    Yehuda Sugarman, Director, Government Affairs, American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research
2.    Sharukh Khajotia, Senior Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry
3.    Simone Duarte, Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and EDI, Professor, Department of Restorative Dentistry, University at Buffalo

Discussion Questions:
1.    How have Reconciliation, EOs, and other actions reshaped dental education and research financing?
2.    How do student loan caps affect research-focused and underrepresented students?
3.    What solutions exist for immigration-related workforce attrition?
4.    What are the new barriers for international dental and PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and early-stage faculty?
5.    How can institutions support early-career and international researchers under current constraints?
6.    How do we navigate the current landscape and honor the values of diversity?

Session 3: Pathways Forward – Academic Career and Research Career Viability: How do we Sustain the Dental School Models
Friday, March 27
8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. PDT (UTC-7)

Opening Remarks and University Leadership

Panel 1: Sustainable Academic Models: Leadership Finance and Accreditation (45 min)

Facilitator: Judith Albino, President Emerita of the University of Colorado and Professor Emerita in both the Schools of Public Health and Dental Medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz (invited)

Panelists:
•    Marcelo Araujo, Dean, University at Buffalo, School of Dental Medicine
•    Keith Mays, Dean, University of Minnesota, School of Dentistry
•    William Giannobile, Dean, Harvard School of Dental Medicine
•    Nico Geurs, Dean, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, School of Dentistry
•    Eunice Stephens, Chief of Staff, University of California, San Francisco

Panel 2: Transforming Research and Academic Careers: The Future of Dental School Models (45 min)
Facilitator: Christopher H. Fox, CEO, IADR/AADOCR

Panelists:
•    Paul Kresbach, Dean, University of California, Los Angeles
•    Micheal Reddy, Dean, School of Dentistry, University of California San Francisco,
•    Jacques Nör, Dean, School of Dentistry, University of Michigan (invited)
•    Luciana Shaddox, Associate Dean of Research, University of Kentucky
•    Brenda Heaton, Associate Dean of Research, University of Utah

Discussion Questions:
1.    What reforms are needed to restore academic career viability?
2.    Assuming lean research funding through at least FY2028, how do we position our research workforce for recovery?
3.    Is tenure here to stay? What does it mean for the future of academic freedom?
4.    How do we build a sustainable and equitable loan system to afford graduate school
5.    What are our research and training priorities for the next five years?
6.    How do we break silos and collaborate with national organizations in the education and research spaces?

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Acute Pain, Persistent Challenges: Updates in Postoperative Dental Pain Research
Organizer(s): Katherine Theken (University of Pennsylvania) 
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Clinical and Translational Science Network, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Research, Pharmacology/Therapeutics/Toxicology Group

Advances In Regeneration of a Functional Dentin-Pulp Complex
Organizer(s): Mina Mina (University of Connecticut Health Center), Kerstin Galler (University of Erlangen)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Pulp Biology & Regeneration Research, Stem Cell Biology Research

Advancing Equity Through Behavioral and Implementation Science in Oral Health
Organizer(s): Tracy Finlayson (San Diego State University), Andreia Morales Cascaes (Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Behavioral, Epidemiologic, and Health Services Research, Dental Anesthesiology and Special Care Research, Global Oral Health Inequalities Research Network

Analytical Methods To Monitor Biofilm-Dental Material Interactions
Organizer(s): Dipankar Koley (Oregon State University), Jens Kreth (Oregon Health & Science University), Jack Ferracane (Oregon Health & Science University)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Dental Materials, Implantology Research, Microbiology/Immunology

Beyond Resistance: Antimicrobial Risks in Oral Health and Dental Care
Organizer(s): Wendy Thompson (University of Manchester), Leanne Teoh (University of Melbourne)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Microbiology/Immunology, Periodontal Research, Pharmacology/Therapeutics/Toxicology Group

Birth of a Discipline: Honoring Hal Slavkin's Contribution to Craniofacial Biol
Organizer(s): Yang Chai (University of Southern California)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Craniofacial Biology Research, Stem Cell Biology Research

Blueprints for Regeneration: Lessons from Salivary Gland Development
Organizer(s): Kimberly Jasmer (University of Louisville)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Salivary Research, Stem Cell Biology Research

Bridging Animal Models and Human Genetic Advances in Tooth Development
Organizer(s): Ariadne Letra (University of Pittsburgh)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Craniofacial Biology Research, Pediatric Oral Health Research, Women in Science Network

Building Enamel: Rod Decussation and the Regulation of Ameloblast Movement
Organizer(s): Olivier Duverger (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research), Stefan Habelitz (University of California, San Francisco)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Dental Materials, Mineralized Tissue

Chewing Functions for Full Brain Potential in Vulnerable Populations
Organizer(s): Maria Piancino (University of Turin)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Craniofacial Biology Research, Geriatric Oral Research, Neuroscience, Nutrition Research, Prosthodontics Research

Cutting-Edge Researh on Sleep and Chronic Orofacial Pain
Organizer(s): Ian Boggero (University of Kentucky)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): International Network for Orofacial Pain and Related Disorders Methodology, Women in Science Network

Decoding Host-Microbe-Material Interactions: From Metagenomics to Ramanomics
Organizer(s): Shi Huang (The University of Hong Kong)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Dental Materials, Microbiology/Immunology
Supported by: eCyte

Dental Pulp Regeneration: Vascular and Lymphatic Dynamics
Organizer(s): Chengfei Zhang (University of Hong Kong)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Pulp Biology & Regeneration Research, Stem Cell Biology Research

Dentine Hypersensitivity: Driving Change in Guideline Development
Organizer(s): Alexander Gormley (University of Bristol), Josh Twigg (University of Leeds), Jan Clarkson (University of Dundee), Anne-Marie Glenny (University of Manchester)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Behavioral, Epidemiologic, and Health Services Research, Evidence-based Dentistry Network, Periodontal Research

Ethics in AI Times: Impact on Research Spectrum from Protocol to Publication
Organizer(s): Joana Cunha-Cruz (University of Alabama at Birmingham), Cristina Godoy (Nova Southeastern University)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Behavioral, Epidemiologic, and Health Services Research, Cariology Research, Clinical and Translational Science Network, Craniofacial Biology Research, Diagnostic Sciences, Student Training and Research (STAR) Network, AADOCR Ethics Committee

From Simulation to Product Adoption: Scaling DOC Innovation for Impact
Organizer(s): Orlando Lopez (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Clinical and Translational Science Network, Dental Materials, Evidence-based Dentistry Network, Prosthodontics Research

Future and Advances of Biomaterials for Craniomaxillofacial Regeneration
Organizer(s): Tao Lowe (University of Maryland, Baltimore), Lukasz Witek (New York University)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Dental Materials, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Research, Stem Cell Biology Research

Grant Policy Updates to NIH Training Programs 
Organizer(s): Gabriel Hidalgo, Sanoj Suneja, Shoba Thirumangalathu (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research)

Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Craniofacial Biology Research, Microbiology/Immunology, Mineralized Tissue, Oral Medicine & Pathology, Salivary Research

The Hidden Cost of E-Cigarette Usage: How Vaping Reshapes Oral Microbiome 
Organizer(s): Xiaojia He (Chemical Insights Research Institute)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Microbiology/Immunology, Oral Health Research, Pharmacology/Therapeutics/Toxicology Group

Host-Microbiome Dialog Linking Oral-Systemic Diseases: Pathogenesis to Therapy 
Organizer(s): Xiaozhe Han (Nova Southeastern University), Sinem Sahingur (University of Pennsylvania)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Microbiology/Immunology, Periodontal Research

HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer: Epidemiology, Biomarkers, and Mechanisms 
Organizer(s): Laura Rozek (Georgetown University), Maureen Sartor (University of Michigan), Nisha D'Silva (University of Michigan)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Microbiology/Immunology, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Research, Oral Medicine & Pathology

Immunity at the Oral–Systemic Interface: Molecular Mechanisms and Beyond 
Organizer(s): Xin Li (New York University)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Microbiology/Immunology, Salivary Research

Implementation Science in support of Global Oral Health 
Organizer(s): Jennifer Gallagher (King’s College London)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Behavioral, Epidemiologic, and Health Services Research, Clinical and Translational Science Network, Evidence-based Dentistry Network, Global Oral Health Inequalities Research Network, Oral Health Research

Innovations in Financing and System Design to Universal Access to Dental Care 
Organizer(s): Gustavo Nascimento (University of Utah), Helena Schuch (University of Queensland)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Behavioral, Epidemiologic, and Health Services Research, Global Oral Health Inequalities Research Network, Periodontal Research

Innovative Strategies and Adjuncts for Advancing Periodontal Treatment 
Organizer(s): Magda Feres (Harvard University), Wim Teughels (Catholic University of Leuven)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Microbiology/Immunology, Periodontal Research

Light-Enabled Endodontics: Pulp Regeneration, Disinfection
Organizer(s): Josep Arnabat-Dominguez (University of Barcelona)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Lasers & Bio-photonics Group

Move AHEAD for Early Detection and Diagnosis of Pre- and Malignant Oral Lesions 
Organizer(s): Jason Wan (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research), Yu Lei (MD Anderson Cancer Center), Simon Young (UT Health Houston)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Clinical and Translational Science Network, Craniofacial Biology Research, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Research, Oral Medicine & Pathology, Salivary Research

Navigating the Transition from Mentored Training to Research Career Independence 
Organizer(s): Shoba Thirumangalathu (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Craniofacial Biology Research, Dental Materials, Microbiology/Immunology, Mineralized Tissue, Oral Medicine & Pathology, Salivary Research

NCDs: Systemic Link of Caries, Apical and Marginal Periodontitis 
Organizer(s): Sadia Niazi (King's College London), Ashraf Fouad (University of Alabama at Birmingham), Ikhlas El Karim (Queen's University of Belfast), Ariadne Letra (University of Pittsburgh)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Periodontal Research, Pulp Biology & Regeneration Research, Women in Science Network

New Age Global Health Security: Implications for DOC Research 
Organizer(s): Pamela Yelick (Tufts University), Lois Cohen (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): e-Oral Health Network, Global Oral Health Inequalities Research Network, International Network for Orofacial Pain and Related Disorders Methodology

A New Look at Regeneration of the Oral Mucosa 
Organizer(s): Ophir Klein (Cedars-Sinai), Benjamin Fournier (Universite Paris Cité)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Craniofacial Biology Research

Next-Generation Computational Pathology of Salivary Glands 
Organizer(s): Kevin Matthew Byrd (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), Kimberly Jasmer (University of Louisville)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Oral Medicine & Pathology, Salivary Research

NIDCR Data Science – AI/ML in Diagnostics and Treatment 
Organizer(s): Vidhya Venkateswaran (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Behavioral, Epidemiologic, and Health Services Research, Digital Dentistry Research Network, e-Oral Health Network, Pediatric Oral Health Research

NIDCR Data Science - Multi-omics Integration and Precision Medicine 
Organizer(s): Vidhya Venkateswaran (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research) 
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Digital Dentistry Research Network, e-Oral Health Network, Pediatric Oral Health Research

NIDCR Data Science - Patient-level and Population-level Health 
Organizer(s): Vidhya Venkateswaran (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Digital Dentistry Research Network, e-Oral Health Network, Pediatric Oral Health Research

NIDCR Mentored Research Training and Career Development Opportunities 
Organizer(s): Chantel Fuqua, Belinda Hauser, Jacqueline Mays, Shoba Thirumangalathu (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Craniofacial Biology Research, Microbiology/Immunology, Oral Medicine & Pathology, Salivary Research

Novel Insights into Peri-implant Diseases 
Organizer(s): Guo-Hao Lin (University of California, San Francisco), Hanae Saito (University of Maryland), Jill Helms (Stanford University), Eswar Kandaswamy (Louisiana State University), Vivek Thumbigere Math (University of Maryland)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Implantology Research

Oh, Sugar! Rethinking Oral Health in a Sugary World 
Organizer(s): Domenick Zero (Indiana University), Jin Xiao (University of Rochester)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Cariology Research, Clinical and Translational Science Network, Nutrition Research

Oral Cancer Meets Regenerative Medicine: Bio-engineering, Immunity & Restoration 
Organizer(s): Neil O'Brien-Simpson (University of Melbourne), Cynthia Andoniadou (King’s College London)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Dental Materials, Microbiology/Immunology, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Research, Oral Medicine & Pathology, Periodontal Research, Salivary Research, Women in Science Network, Pharmacology/Therapeutics/Toxicology Group

Oral Cavity in Dialogue: Epithelial–Neural Interactions Take Center Stage 
Organizer(s): Hope Amm (Augusta University), Aditi Bhattacharya (New York University)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Oral Medicine & Pathology

Oral Health Equity Through the Life-Course for Healthy Ageing 
Organizer(s): Noha Gomaa (Western University), Ankur Singh (University of Sydney)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Behavioral, Epidemiologic, and Health Services Research, Geriatric Oral Research, Global Oral Health Inequalities Research Network, Oral Health Research

Oral Health in Changing Times: Bench, Chairside, and Capitol Hill 
Organizer(s): Drashty Mody (Indiana University), Lauren Kress (University of Minnesota), Aleena Defreitas (University of Pennsylvania), Cassandra Villani (University of Illinois Chicago), Rachel Kulchar (University of California, Los Angeles)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Clinical and Translational Science Network, National Student Research Group, Women in Science Network

Oral Health Research in Africa: Walking the Talk 
Organizer(s): Azeez Butali (University of Iowa), Abimbola Oladayo (A.T. Still University)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Behavioral, Epidemiologic, and Health Services Research, Global Oral Health Inequalities Research Network

Oral Microbiome: a Reservoir for Clinical Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance 
Organizer(s): Ana Paula Colombo (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro), Naile Dame-Teixeira (University of Brasília)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Cariology Research, Microbiology/Immunology, Salivary Research, Women in Science Network

The Oral Virome - Implications for Health and Disease 
Organizer(s): Yvonne Hernandez-Kapila (University of California, Los Angeles), Afsar Naqvi (University of Illinois Chicago), Flavia Teles (University of Pennsylvania), Nisha D'Silva (The University of Michigan)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Periodontal Research, Women in Science Network

Peri-Implant Soft Tissue Regeneration: From Basic Science to Clinical Practice 
Organizer(s): Shuang Jiang (West China Hospital of Stomatology)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Dental Materials, Implantology Research, Periodontal Research

Practical approaches to quality improvement: results from the DELIVER Project 
Organizer(s): Matthew Byrne (University of Manchester), Stefan Listl (Heidelberg University)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Behavioral, Epidemiologic, and Health Services Research, Clinical and Translational Science Network

Right Intent, Wrong Decision: Data-Driven Ways to Improve Antibiotic Prescribing 
Organizer(s): Muhammad Walji (UT Health Houston)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Pharmacology/Therapeutics/Toxicology Group, Network for Practice-based Research

Salivary Diagnostics: Current Advances and Clinical Translation 
Organizer(s): Kimberly Jasmer (University of Louisville)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Salivary Research

Silver Diamine Fluoride: Mechanism, Evidence, and Impact in Caries Management 
Organizer(s): C.H. Chu (The University of Hong Kong), Duangporn Duangthip (The Ohio State University)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Cariology Research, Dental Materials, Pediatric Oral Health Research

Stem Cell Niches in Craniofacial/Dental Biology and Their Functions
Organizer(s): Brad Amendt (University of Iowa), Mina Mina (University of Connecticut)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Stem Cell Biology Research 

Taste Receptor Cells in Health and Disease 
Organizer(s): Susan Coldwell (University of Washington), Theresa Madden (The National Dental Practice-Based Research Network)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Clinical and Translational Science Network, Oral Medicine & Pathology

Tissue Engineering the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ): Failures and Successes 
Organizer(s): Hagar Kenawy (University of Pennsylvania), Alejandro Almarza (University of Pittsburgh)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Mineralized Tissue, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Research

Updates to NIH’s Extramural Research Project Grant Policies and Processes 
Organizer(s): Amanda Melillo (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Craniofacial Biology Research, Microbiology/Immunology, Mineralized Tissue, Oral Medicine & Pathology, Salivary Research

Xerostomia in Need of Mouthwatering Solutions: Prospects for Future Therapies 
Organizer(s): Ioana Ghita (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Clinical and Translational Science Network, Microbiology/Immunology, Nutrition Research, Oral Malodor Network, Oral Medicine & Pathology, Salivary Research, Student Training and Research (STAR) Network, Pharmacology/Therapeutics/Toxicology Group

Hands-on Workshops (HOW) will take place at the San Diego Convention Center. Registrations will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. If you register in advance for a workshop that has limited attendance and/or a fee associated, a ticket will be printed on your name badge sheet. Individuals on the waiting list are encouraged to come to the session room in case there are registered attendees who do not show up. Entry will be facilitated by the organizer(s).

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2026
12 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.

HOW #1: IADR/AADOCR/CADR/NIDCR Mentoring and Networking Lunch
Organizer(s): Sheri Herren (IADR/AADOCR), Shoba Thirumangalathu (NIH/NIDCR)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): AADOCR Mind the Future Program
Supported by: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health

Additional ticket required. Ticket fee US $35

Description: This session is aimed at facilitating interactions among predoctoral students, postdoctoral scientists, and dental, oral and craniofacial research investigators. It is designed to provide an informal venue for early career scientists to obtain guidance on their research and research career trajectories, and to expand their network of mentors and peers to support and facilitate their research career success. Mentors will be encouraged to lead informal, motivational, and realistic discussions about developing a successful research career. Lunch tables will be organized by research topic or career pathway, and one to two mentors will be available at each table. When registering, participants do not need to select a specific table or mentor and will be encouraged to move among tables and meet several mentors during the session. General Session meeting attendees who register as students (e.g., graduate students, dental students and postdoctoral researchers) will be able to sign up for the Mentoring and Networking Lunch for an additional fee through the meeting registration site. This proposal is relevant to this meeting as it offers a unique opportunity for students in attendance to have access to seasoned mentors and to expand their networking opportunities. Presented annually, mentors from diverse research areas are invited each year to discuss their career trajectories and invite discussion with attendees in an informal setting.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2026
1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.

HOW #2: The Power of Page One: Specific Aims that Win Grants
Organizer(s): Hardik Makkar (University of Pennsylvania), Drashty Mody (Indiana University)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): AADOCR National Student Research Group, Dental Materials, Digital Dentistry Research Network, Student Training and Research (STAR) Network, Women in Science Network

Additional ticket required. Ticket fee US $10

Description: The Specific Aims page is the single most critical component of any research grant application—it sets the tone, frames the research vision, and often determines the fate of the proposal. This interactive, small-group workshop is designed to equip participants with the skills and insights needed to craft a compelling and fundable Specific Aims page, tailored to their career stage and funding mechanism. We will feature successful grant awardees across diverse funding pathways, including predoctoral, postdoctoral, and early- to mid-career investigators—who will share their strategies, lessons learned, and practical insights. This session will emphasize hands-on learning over passive listening, the program focuses on active engagement, personalized feedback, and real-time practice. The proposed outline for this workshop is as follows: 1. Essentials Presentation (20 minutes) – Experts introduce the structural and conceptual principles of an effective Specific Aims page, highlighting best practices and common pitfalls. Speakers: Dr. Zhi Ren, Dr. Jay Patel, Drashty Mody 2. Panel Q&A (10 minutes) – Open discussion with awardees, offering cross-stage perspectives on writing and success strategies. 3. Round-Table Discussion (50 minutes) – Participants will be divided into small groups. Each group will engage in a focused discussion led by one expert who matches their career stage. At each table, participants will critique example aims pages, ask targeted questions, and receive tailored advice. Panelists: Dr. Conrado Aparicio, Dr. Simone Duarte, Dr. Jay Patel, Dr. Zhi Ren, Dr. Kyle Vining, Drashty Mody, Cristina Jones 4. Group Reflection & Takeaways (10 minutes) – All groups reconvene to share insights, highlight key challenges, and outline next steps for developing or refining their own aims.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2026
3:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.

HOW #3: AADOCR Faculty Development Workshop - Part 1
Organizer(s): Sheri Herren (IADR/AADOCR), Natasha Mickel (University of Oklahoma), Eric Bernstein (University of Connecticut)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Women in Science Network
Supported by: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health

Description: Building a Sustainable Research Workforce: Mentorship for Recruitment, Retention, and Career Development The focus of this workshop is systemic, organizational strategies: how institutions use mentorship to recruit and retain talent. This workshop is a part of the AADOCR Mind the Future program and is intended for all faculty and students. This workshop builds on ongoing national conversations about strengthening academic dental research by expanding career pathways and supporting faculty and students throughout the research pipeline. Despite progress, many promising individuals with varied backgrounds and perspectives are lost along the way, limiting innovation and impact. This session will focus on mentorship and leadership strategies that help institutions recruit and retain talent while fostering environments where researchers can thrive. Faculty and department leaders will explore approaches to support differences, cultivate mentorship practices that advance career growth, and sustain a strong research workforce. Through interactive discussion, participants will identify practical actions they can apply within their own institutions to improve recruitment, retention, and mentorship. The session is especially relevant for faculty and postgraduate students seeking tools to build a resilient and representative research community that drives discovery and innovation in academic dental research.

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2026
8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

HOW #4: Strengthening Caries Research through ICDAS Calibration
Organizer(s): Sepideh Banava (University of California, San Francisco), Bonnie Jue (University of California, San Francisco)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Cariology Research

Additional ticket required. Ticket fee US $10

Description: Reliably and accurately detecting and classifying dental caries is central to advancing both oral health research and clinical practice. The International Caries Detection and Assessment System (ICDAS)-II provides a validated framework for lesion detection, yet consistency in application remains a major challenge. This 90-minute workshop directly addresses that gap by offering participants structured, hands-on didactic ICDAS calibration training led by experienced educators and researchers. Through a combination of case-based discussions, image scoring, and small-group calibration exercises, participants will actively practice ICDAS coding and receive immediate feedback to improve reliability and accuracy. Interactive consensus-building activities will further enhance reproducibility of caries detection in both research and clinical contexts. The workshop team brings years of experience organizing and executing ICDAS calibration sessions for principal investigators and research projects across diverse settings. In addition to leading calibration exercises, the team has supported logistics, recruitment, and data analysis for multi-site studies — ensuring participants benefit not only from calibration training but also from practical insights into managing calibration within broader research workflows. By equipping researchers, clinicians, and educators with calibration skills, the session supports the broader mission of enhancing research quality, building clinical confidence, and preparing the oral health workforce to meet contemporary challenges. Participants will leave with strengthened detection accuracy, improved consistency in ICDAS application, and practical insights for integrating calibration into both research and clinical practice.

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2026
2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

HOW #5: AADOCR Faculty Development Workshop – Part 2
Organizer(s): Effie Ioannidou (University of California, San Francisco), David Drake (University of Iowa)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Women in Science Network
Supported by: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health

Description: The focus of this workshop is mentor skill building: how individuals improve their communication and mentoring practices. This workshop is a part of the AADOCR Mind the Future program and is intended for all mentors and senior faculty. Current evidence has supported the significance of faculty development as a tool for academic retention and advancement. This workshop is designed to support the processes of mentoring and career development. The workshop focuses on mentoring the mentors with a goal to promote effective communication skills, to closely mentor mentees in all aspects of their academic growth and to present techniques to synchronize mentor and mentee expectations. This proposal is relevant to this meeting as it pertains to mentors and senior faculty in attendance and addresses the importance and need for mentoring processes within institutions. Presented in 2025, this session has been updated this year with the latest in mentoring research and strategies.

FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2026
8 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.

HOW #6: How to Use The iADH Universal Case Mix Tool in Clinical Practice and Research
Organizer(s): Colman McGrath (The University of Hong Kong), Gustavo Molina (Catholic University of Córdoba)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Behavioral, Epidemiologic, and Health Services Research, Dental Anesthesiology and Special Care Research, Education Research, Geriatric Oral Research, Oral Health Research, Pediatric Oral Health Research

Description: The International Association of Disability and Oral Health (iADH) with members of the Dental Anaesthesiology & Special Care Dentistry (DASCR) Group of IADR have developed and Universal Case Mix Tool to:

1. Effectively identify the adaptations required for dental service provision and for individual patient care;
2. Provide clear epidemiological data for service policy and planning;
3. Justify resource deployment for education and necessary adjuncts;
4. Provide practical guidelines for the orientation and referral of patients betweenprimary, secondary and tertiary dental services;
5. Lead to more efficient and equitable distribution of oral health services and outcomes for people with special care dental needs.

This workshop will provide training on the use of the iADH Case Mix Tool App so that you can begin to implement it in your clinical practice and research.

FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2026
2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

HOW #7: Data-Driven Advocacy for Effective and Equitable Oral Health Policies
Organizer(s): Upul Cooray, Ankur Singh (University of Sydney)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Behavioral, Epidemiologic, and Health Services Research, Global Oral Health Inequalities Research Network

Description: This workshop is designed for oral health researchers, clinicians, and policymakers seeking to translate complex data into effective and equitable policy action. The session will strengthen capacity in data interpretation, causal inference, and policy-relevant modelling. Participants will first learn to identify and interpret relevant oral health data sources and apply core epidemiological concepts to quantify impact of interventions on disease burden and health inequalities. The session begins with a foundational theory session covering the interpretation of relevant oral health data sources, core epidemiological concepts, and methods for quantifying disease burden and health inequalities. Following this, participants will choose one of three parallel hands-on streams based on their interests:

1. Advanced Descriptive and Predictive Modelling: Participants will apply methods like multilevel modelling to understand population and contextual variations in oral health outcomes.
2. Causal Inference Methods: This stream focuses on using observational data to evaluate intervention impacts, with hands-on application of Modified Treatment Policies and causal mediation analysis.
3. Prospective Simulation Modelling: Attendees will learn to forecast the potential health and equity impacts of new policies using the Proportional Multistate Life Tables method. With this tailored, in-depth learning experience on cutting-edge analytical methods we expect participants to gain tangible skills to advocate for evidence-based policies using observational data.

SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2026
2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

HOW #8: Apps to Algorithms: Implementing Dietary Assessment in Oral Health Research
Organizer(s): Michael Crowe (Trinity College Dublin)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): Nutrition Research

Description: Digital dietary assessment tools are rapidly transforming nutrition research and clinical practice, yet their practical implementation in oral health research remains inconsistent and often poorly validated. This hands-on workshop addresses the critical gap between available technology and evidence-based implementation, providing researchers and educators with practical skills to integrate modern dietary assessment methods into their work. As traditional paper-based dietary assessment methods give way to smartphone apps, AI-powered food recognition systems, and algorithm-driven analysis platforms, oral health researchers and clinicians require updated knowledge on validation, implementation, and interpretation of these new tools. The workshop brings together international expertise from dental, nutrition, and dietary assessment methodology fields to provide a multidisciplinary approach to this emerging topic, presenting cutting-edge science that would be unlikely to emerge as an oral session. This interactive workshop will provide participants with direct experience using digital tools, evaluating their limitations, and developing implementation strategies for diverse research contexts. The workshop combines brief expert presentations with hands-on activities, enabling participants to immediately apply learned concepts. Participants will gain practical competencies in tool selection, validation assessment, data interpretation, and educational integration. The workshop addresses emerging challenges including sustainability metrics integration, cultural adaptation, and quality assessment of commercial applications that lack proper validation.

SATURDAY, MARCH 28, 2026
2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

HOW #9: Publishing Your Manuscript: A JDR Perspective
Organizer(s): Nicholas Jakubovics (Newcastle University)
Sponsoring Group/Network(s): IADR

Description: Publication in scientific journals is a key part of the research process, providing validation and visibility for your work. This session will help you to construct a clear and critically balanced manuscript and disseminate your research to the target audience. We will provide insights into the editorial decision-making process at journals and highlight timely topics such as appropriate use of generative AI tools. There will be a particular emphasis on the Journal of Dental Research, although much of the session will be pertinent to scientific publishing in general.

During lunch, you may discuss topics of current interest with the researchers identified below. There is a $65 USD fee to cover the cost of lunch, and attendance will be limited to 10 persons per table, including the speaker. Assignments will be processed on a first-come, first served basis. All Lunch & Learning sessions will take place at the San Diego Convention Center

THURSDAY, MARCH 26, 2026
12:30 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Table 1: Advancing the Human Oral and Craniofacial Atlas through Spatial Multiomics 
Speaker: Kevin Byrd (Virginia Commonwealth University)
Sponsoring Group/Network: Salivary Research
Track Selection: C, E
Description: This session will provide a state-of-the-field update on the Human Cell Atlas Oral & Craniofacial Bionetwork Atlas, v2. We will highlight how single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial multiomics are expanding oral and craniofacial disease maps, connecting datasets in periodontitis, Sjögren’s disease, and head and neck cancer for translational discovery.

Table 2: Developing Successful Mentoring Practices When Starting a Scientific Career 
Speaker: Patricia Miguez (The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill)
Sponsoring Group/Network: Dental Materials, Periodontal Research, Women in Science Network
Track Selection: C, E
Description: This session offers an introduction to effective mentoring for graduate students nearing graduation, postdocs interested in academia, and early-career faculty, with a focus on developing a philosophy on mentoring/coaching. We will explore the key qualities of effective mentors, the essential components of mentoring philosophies, and how to develop a comprehensive plan to succeed. Additionally, participants will be provided with various reading resources for future reference.

Table 3: Implementation of an Infant Oral Care Program with Interprofessional Education
Speaker: Francisco Ramos-Gomez (University of California, Los Angeles)
Sponsoring Group/Network: Pediatric Oral Health Research
Track Selection: C, E
Description: This session explores infant oral care programs integrating interprofessional education and community health workers to prevent early childhood caries. Participants will learn evidence-based strategies for risk assessment, anticipatory guidance, and collaborative practice based on Dr. Ramos-Gomez’s pioneering model for equitable, team-based infant oral health care.

Table 4: Including People with Developmental Disabilities in Dental Research
Speaker: Ann Spolarich (A.T. Still University - Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health)
Sponsoring Group/Network: Dental Anesthesiology and Special Care Research, Oral Health Research
Track Selection: C, E
Description: People with Intellectual or Developmental Disabilities (IDD) are under-represented and are among the major underserved groups in healthcare research, including dental research. The purpose of this session is to discuss strategies to design and conduct research with participants with IDD to gather better data that supports their oral health and health-related quality of life.

Table 5: Is My Statistical Knowledge Enough for AI-Era Dental Research?
Speaker: Jing Kang (King’s College London)
Sponsoring Group/Network: Periodontal Research
Track Selection: E
Description: In the AI era, tools like ChatGPT assist researchers with statistical methods and coding, but risk misuse without solid statistical foundations. This poses challenges for educators: how much statistical knowledge should postgraduate students acquire to make independent, correct methodological decisions and critically appraise published research?

Table 6: Multi-OMICS Strategies for Molecular Profiling of Oral Biofluid
Speaker: Lina Marin (University of Saskatchewan)
Sponsoring Group/Network: Cariology Research, Salivary Research
Track Selection: C, E
Description: The combined use of state-of-the-art approaches to multi-OMICS—such as proteomics and genomics—has significantly advanced our understanding of how specific biomolecules and microorganisms influence health and disease. These technologies hold great promise for identifying biomarkers that could be used in diagnostics and therapeutics, particularly through non-invasive samples such as saliva or dental biofilm fluid.

Table 7: One Smile Research Program - Advancing Oral Health Care Research
Speaker: Sonica Singhal (University of Toronto)
Sponsoring Group/Network: Behavioral, Epidemiologic, and Health Services Research 
Track Selection: C, E
Supported by: Green Shield Canada
Description: This session will highlight the University of Toronto’s One Smile Research Program, a large-scale clinical trial providing free dental care to underserved populations. Discussion will focus on program design, long-term health and psychosocial outcomes, and the economic impact of care, offering lessons for research, practice, and policy.

Table 8: Proximal Caries Management: Implications from Pathogenesis Models
Speaker: Frederico de Sousa (Federal University of Paraiba)
Sponsoring Group/Network: Cariology Research
Track Selection: C, E
Description: Proximal caries lesions (PCL) are the second most prevalent type of caries worldwide and assessing lesion progression (related to histopathogenesis) is crucial for PCL management. From the classical model of proximal caries pathogenesis (Fejerskov, 2015), caries initiation and progression to cavitation occur cervically to the contact area, where cariogenic biofilm (caries activity) is present, with cavity formation indicating failure in caries prevention or arrestment interventions. However, while widely accepted, the classical model overlooks the fact that the contact area enlarges over time, engulfing a parcel of the PCL and exposing porous enamel to mechanical load.  A recent model (Vieira et al., Arch Oral Biol, 2025) proposes that the growth of the proximal contact divides the PCL into two parts: one located cervically to the contact area, prone to caries activity, and another within the contact area, which is inactive but exposed to mechanical load. The latter is at a higher risk of cavitation. This new model suggests that cavity formation in the contact area does not necessarily indicate failure in caries prevention or arrestment interventions.  This session will explore existing models on the progression of PCL to cavitation, the available evidence, their limitations, and implications for PLC management. The link between the anatomical location of PCL and lesion detection, activity assessment, severity assessment, and lesion progression will be discussed, with emphasis on improving the evaluation of non-invasive/micro-invasive measures.

Table 9: The Art of Scientific Writing: Step-by-Step Guide From an Editor-in-Chief
Speaker: Daniele Manfredini (University of Siena)
Sponsoring Group/Network: International Network for Orofacial Pain and Related Disorders Methodology
Track Selection: E
Description: There has recently been a stimulating increase in the number of young researchers involved in the orofacial pain discipline. Yet, transforming a research idea into the collection of clinically useful data and then an impactful paper is not easy. This session will provide an Editor-in-Chief's expertise on scientific writing.

Behavioral, Epidemiologic, and Health Services Research Group
Advancing Indigenous Oral Health and Reducing Inequities
Lisa M. Jamieson (University of Adelaide)

Broken Smiles: What Oral Health Tells About Society
Stefan Listl (Heidelberg University)

Cariology Research Group
Nutrition in Dentistry: Fiber and Nitrate Link Health
Constanza E. Fernández (University of Talca)

Dental Materials
3D Bioprinting and Organs On-a-Chip in Craniofacial and Dental Research - Past and Future Applications of Craniofacial Biofabrication
Luiz Eduardo Bertassoni (Oregon Health & Science University)

3D-Printing Approaches for Craniofacial Bone Regeneration: Materials & Translational Perspectives
Lukasz Witek (New York University)

Beyond Bonding: Smart Materials to Protect the Dentin Matrix
Anuradha Prakki (University of Toronto)

Dentin Remineralization Associating Peptide- and Particle-Assisted Strategies
Roberto Ruggiero Braga (University of São Paulo)

Designing Personalize Bioactive Materials Using Machine Learning and Material Informatics
Vinicius Rosa (National University of Singapore)

Zirconia in Dentistry: Comparing Material Variations and Exploring Advanced Manufacturing
Fei Zhang (KU Leuven)

Geriatric Oral Research Group
Oral Health and Respiratory Diseases: An Oral History
Frank A. Scannapieco (University at Buffalo)

Refocusing Oral Health in Older Adults - Challenges and Opportunities
Linda Marie Slack-Smith (University of Western Australia)

Microbiology/Immunology Group
Dual Inflammasome Activation Mediates a Neutrophil and Macrophage Anti-Fungal Response
Ben Croker (University of California, San Diego)

Oral Health Research Group
One Health and Oral Health: Implications for Research, Policies and Practice
Colman McGrath (University of Hong Kong)

Pediatric Oral Health Research Group
Promoting Scientific Evidence to Improve Caries Management Outcomes in Children
Yasmi O. Crystal (New York University)

Periodontal Research Group
Advances on Periodontal Regeneration
Andreas Stavropoulos (Malmö University)

Pharmacology/Therapeutics/Toxicology Group 
What on Earth is Antimicrobial Stewardship? Help Keep Antibiotics Working
Wendy Thompson (University of Manchester)

Pride in Dental Research Network 
Why Representation Matters: Who’s Measured, Who’s Present, Who Decides
Fabio Renato Manzolli Leite (University of Utah)

Pulp Biology and Regeneration Group
Advances in Cellular and Metabolic Mechanisms for Dental Pulp Regeneration/Repair
Waruna Lakmal Dissanayaka (The University of Hong Kong)

What Makes the Pulp Fibroblast so Unique
Imad About (Aix-Marseille University)

Stem Cell Biology Group 
Conserved Signaling Pathways Control Calvarial Bone Development and Regeneration
Yingzi Yang (Harvard University)

Women in Science Network
The Three Legacies: Your Papers, Your People, and Your Principles
Sarah R. Baker (Lincoln University)

10^th Annual Mini Symposium for Young Investigators
Organizer(s): Yuan Liu (Temple University), Jacqueline Mays (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research), Edwin Rojas (University of Alabama at Birmingham)

Bridging the Gap in TMD Education: A Global Consensus Initiative
Organizer(s): Chris Penlington (Newcastle University)

Digital Innovation Symposium 2026
Organizer(s): Chun Wang Chau (The University of Hong Kong), Sompop Bencharit (University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill), Szabolcs Felszeghy (University of Eastern Finland), Barry Quinn (University of Liverpool)

Empowering the Future of Oral Health Research
Organizer(s): Simone Duarte (University at Buffalo), Makyba Charles-Ayinde (International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research), Kimberly Jasmer (University of Louisville)

Oral Epidemiology Forum (Epi Forum)
Organizer(s): Noha Gomaa (National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research), Benjamin Chaffee (University of California San Francisco)

Stem Cell-Niche Interactions in Craniofacial Homeostasis and Regeneration
Organizer(s): Yi Fan, Bo Li (West China School of Stomatology)

Team Up: Mind the Future Symposium
Organizer(s): Camila Zamperini (University of Illinois Chicago), Mairobys Socorro (University of Pittsburgh)
Supported by: CareQuest Institute for Oral Health

Therapeutic Applications of Botulinum Neurotoxins in Orofacial Disorders
Organizer(s): Matteo Val (University of Siena), Daniele Manfredini (University of Siena), Lene Baad-Hansen (Aarhus University), Matteo Pollis (University of Siena)