WHO’s Global strategy and action plan on oral health 2023–2030 has been awarded the Aubrey Sheiham Award for Distinguished Research in Dental Public Health Sciences by the International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR)—a non-governmental organisation in official relations with WHO.
The award was formally presented at the IADR Conference in Barcelona on 26 June, marking a historic milestone; it is the first time a normative global health policy, rather than a scientific paper, has received this prestigious recognition.
The award underscores the transformative power of evidence-informed, system-level reforms and affirms the collective efforts of WHO technical teams, member states, partners, and the broader oral health community in shaping the global oral health agenda.
“The recognition of the global strategy and action plan on oral health with this award is a powerful validation of our shared commitment to advancing oral health as a key pillar of global health,” said Dr Benoit Varenne, dental officer in WHO’s oral health program.
“It reflects the consensus that oral diseases are a major public health issue that needs a response embedded into a broader primary health care systems reform.”
WHO will be donating the prize money to the One World campaign—a gesture that aligns with the spirit of the award and supports broader public health engagement and resource mobilisation.
