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 organization in official relations with WHO.
This marks 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 Aubrey Sheiham Award is named in honour of the late Professor Aubrey Sheiham from the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at University College London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland—a pioneering advocate for public health-oriented, evidence-based approaches in oral health. His legacy continues to inspire the global integration of oral health within noncommunicable diseases, universal health coverage and development agendas.
"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 programme. "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 mobilization.
The award will be formally presented at the IADR Conference in Barcelona on Thursday, 26 June from 17:30 to 18:30 (CEST).
