Partnership with Purpose: Presidential Speech

Introduction

IADR President Pam Yellick,

AADOCR President Effie Ioannidou and President-Elect Nisha D’Silva,

CADR President Leigha Rock,

Chief Executive Officer, Christopher Fox,

Board Members, colleagues, students, members of our wider IADR community, and guests,

I am deeply honored to have been elected to serve as the 103rd president of this remarkable organization.

IADR has shaped and inspired me over several decades—through my move from Ireland to England, my development as a clinical academic in Dental Public Health, and my engagement in international affairs.

I want to pay particular tribute to our CEO, Dr. Christopher Fox, for his tireless leadership and global impact, and to the IADR staff, whose dedication and professionalism make these congresses possible.

I look forward to assuming the presidential role at the conclusion of this General Session.

The Importance of Partnership

The International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR) is built on partnership. Our divisions and sections across 5 regions, together with our themed groups and networks, form a global web of collaboration.

Today, I want us to reflect on how we can deepen these relationships and truly partner with purpose.

Our History and Context

For more than a century, IADR has championed excellence in research. From its origins as an all-male group of North American scientists, it has grown into a diverse global community, shaping the future of oral health through research with impact.

It is wonderful to gather here over the coming days to celebrate science together. And as we do so, we also remember those colleagues who cannot be with us.

At this challenging moment in history, the words of William J. Gies—our founding president and JDR editor—remain powerful as we embrace our vision and deliver our mission:

Research in its highest expression is open-minded inquiry for truth, to be found and revealed unreservedly for the information, instruction, advantage and welfare of all. (Gies 1919; Giannobile et al 2019)

Our Shared Challenges

Today, truth and scientific integrity face pressures—from social media, technology, economics, and politics. As a community, we must uphold excellence in science and support one another in delivering research that benefits all.

We have much to do, from navigating the responsible use of artificial intelligence to defending fluoride as a safe and proven caries-preventive measure, supporting the global phase-out of dental mercury by 2034 by innovating high-quality alternatives (suitable for any context), and advancing the sustainability agenda for dentistry.

Together, of course, with the persistent challenges of preventing and managing the common oral diseases in an increasingly aging population, tackling inequalities in oral health, and facilitating access to appropriate oral health care.

Important Opportunity

Yet today, we also celebrate unprecedented opportunity. Oral health is firmly on the global agenda. The Global Strategy and Action Plan for Oral Health 2030 (WHO 2024) provides a platform for shared action. The first Global Oral Health Meeting in Bangkok in 2024 marked a defining moment in the journey.

The Bangkok Declaration reminded all that: “There is no health without oral health” (WHO 2025). Warmest congratulations to Dr. Benoit Varenne and the team at The World Health Organization (WHO) for their tireless work on the oral health agenda.

And oral health was further raised in profile at the recent United Nations (UN) high-level meeting on noncommunicable diseases, which recognized the importance of oral health and mental health—an important achievement (Political declaration 2025).

As we look to 2030, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are of global importance (Sustainable Development Goals 2015). You will, of course, be well aware that health is SDG 3. But have you noticed that Partnerships are at the heart of the UN Sustainable Development Goals?

SDG 17— Partnerships for the Goals —underscores the value of learning and working together across sectors to support all other goals (Sustainable Development Goals 2015).

To achieve meaningful change, we must collaborate not only within academia and health systems but also with industry, policymakers, patients, and communities—often with people who think and operate differently.

Expanding Our Vision

Let me ask you a question: What role will you play in partnership for oral health?

I would welcome your ideas over the coming days on how we can collaborate more effectively and with greater purpose. Let me offer some framing thoughts on different levels of engagement: macro, meso, and micro (Fig. 1).

OPEN IN VIEWER

Figure 1.

Partnership with purpose: macro, meso, and micro levels.

Macro-Level Partnerships (Global)

Starting at the macro level, IADR has an important history of working with the World Dental Federation (FDI) and the World Health Organization to elevate oral health globally. As vice president and president-elect, I have had the privilege of contributing to this work in Geneva and at the Bangkok meeting in 2024 and recognizing its importance.

Moving forward, IADR will be an active partner in the emerging Global Coalition for Oral Health, supporting action by member states. This will be a vital partnership in advocating for oral health and well-being worldwide.

Additionally, many of our groups and networks are ideally positioned to advance the global oral health research agenda (Objective 6), which supports all other strategic objectives—from governance to health promotion and prevention to workforce, care delivery, and health information systems (WHO 2024). So, can we perhaps better coordinate our research efforts across networks to maximize impact in these domains?

Meso-Level Partnerships (National and Organizational)

Moving to consider meso-level partnerships, I would suggest that our divisions and sections have a critical role in influencing national research priorities. Together, we can help achieve Global Target 6 so that,

by 2030, 50% of countries will have a national oral health research agenda focused on public health and population-level interventions. (WHO 2024)

Such agendas help secure resources, guide research, and ensure findings translate into outcomes through implementation science—not only in high-income countries but in every nation. A forthcoming paper on “Advancing a Global Oral Health Research Agenda,” led by Leigha Rock and Paul Allison in the JDR, will be most helpful to us as we influence nationally (Rock et al 2026).

Additionally, your organization will have key partnership agreements with institutions nationally and internationally—do you know who they are? If not, find out who you can easily partner with, to maximize collaboration, and extend the reach and impact of your research.

Equitable partnerships between universities and countries can strengthen capacity, build science, and ensure that no one is left behind.

Micro-Level Partnerships (Individual)

At the micro level, every one of us—regardless of discipline or where we sit in the research cycle—has a contribution to make through partnership. Do not underestimate your influence.

Our member survey shows that networking is one of the greatest strengths of IADR meetings. I know from personal experience how transformative these connections can be.

So, throughout this congress—during the sessions, lunches, poster discussions, and networking events—listen, reconnect, and strengthen the bonds of trust that support collaboration. Reach out to someone new—seek out unexpected connections. Identify opportunities for partnership that can advance oral health at scale.

Looking Ahead

Now is an important moment for our scientific community to work together: to deliver excellence, to translate evidence into action, and to drive meaningful, lasting change in support of our purpose of oral health for the world.

As we “Partner with Purpose,” I would value your support in shaping what effective, equitable partnership in research looks like in practice—and in showcasing examples from across our community.

I will work to strengthen our partnerships and to serve as an advocate for dental, oral, and craniofacial research across my presidential term and beyond.

Thank you—and I wish you all an inspiring and purposeful congress.

Author Contributions

J.E. Gallagher, contributed to conception and design, data acquisition, analysis, and interpretation, drafted and critically revised manuscript. The author gave final approval and agrees to be accountable for all aspects of the work.