Tohoku University
Graduate School of Dentistry

On Monday, October 5, 2026, the 148th Interface Oral Health Science Forum was held in the Graduate School of Dentistry, Tohoku University.

For this forum, we were honored to welcome Professor Jennifer Gallagher, President of the International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR), the world’s largest international and interdisciplinary dental research organization. Professor Gallagher delivered a lecture entitled “Global Oral Health: Our Shared Challenge.”

Professor Gallagher is a professor of Public Dental Health at King’s College London and leads the university’s international affairs activities. She has been extensively involved in international research, education, and collaboration in the field of oral health. She assumed the presidency of the IADR in 2026 and is currently advancing initiatives to promote oral health on a global scale.

In recent years, the IADR has placed increasing emphasis on understanding oral health in relation to overall health and broader social challenges, and on translating research findings into practice in healthcare and public policy. This year, the Global Coalition on Oral Health was launched to promote international efforts to advance the implementation of oral health policies in countries around the world, as well as the sharing of research findings and knowledge.

Against this backdrop of global developments in oral health, Professor Gallagher’s lecture focused on oral health as a shared challenge that requires action across countries and regions.

The lecture provided participants with a valuable opportunity to consider oral health from a global perspective and deepen their understanding of the importance of international collaboration that transcends the boundaries of research, education, and clinical practice.

The forum also served as a valuable opportunity to deepen understanding of the current state and challenges of oral health worldwide, while fostering further international collaboration and cooperation in research, education, and clinical practice.

▲Professor Gallagher delivering a lecture

▲Professor Gallagher answering questions from the audience

▲Ken Osaka, Dean of the Graduate School of Dentistry, presenting a certificate of appreciation

【Related Links】
IADR: International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research