Alexandria, VA, USA – The International Association for Dental Research (IADR) announced that Domenick Zero is this year’s recipient of the IADR Distinguished Scientist William H. Bowen Research in Dental Caries Award. Zero, from Indiana University, Indianapolis, USA, was recognized during the Opening Ceremonies of the 101st General Session of the IADR, which was held in conjunction with the 9th Meeting of the Latin American Region and the 12th World Congress on Preventive Dentistry, that took place on June 21, 2023, in Bogotá, Colombia.
Zero is Professor, Department of Cariology, Operative Dentistry and Dental Public Health, Indiana University. A central theme of his outstanding career has been to improve the oral health of the public through caries research and the sharing of learning from his research. As a Cariologist, his research interests have included studies on dietary factors, microbial virulence factors, the protective role of saliva, caries risk assessment, the mechanism of action of fluoride (including its oral pharmacokinetics), clinical efficacy of topical fluorides and other non-fluoride remineralizing agents, dental sealants, novel anti-microbial/oral biofilm strategies, and new clinical methods of early caries detection. He has also made contributions to the understanding of dental erosion and its prevention.
The main impact of his research has been on caries prevention and the management of early caries lesions, providing the dental profession and the public the tools to move away from the need for invasive operative treatment and towards tooth preservation and improved oral health.
Supported by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., the William H. Bowen Research in Dental Caries Award is designed to stimulate and recognize outstanding and innovative achievements that have contributed to the basic understanding of caries etiology and/or to the prevention of dental caries. It is one of the 17 IADR Distinguished Scientist Awards and one of the highest honors bestowed by the IADR.
About IADR
The International Association for Dental 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.