THEME
The National Oral Health Research Conference 2008 organised
by the Oral Health Programme, Ministry of Health Malaysia,
identified the need to establish a multiagency initiative
to identify oral health research priorities for the country
and be better manage the oral health research agenda in the country. The establishment of the National Health Research Initiative (NOHRI) in the 10th Malaysia Plan (10 MP) was mooted
by the Oral Health Programme in 2010 towards enhancing evidence -
based policy decisions in the oral healthcare delivery systen in the country.
The establishment of NOHRI is timely to better manage the oral health research agenda in the country in the following ways: Oral health research priorities of relevant stakeholders in oral health in the country are identified and collated. These priorities will be taken into consideration in the national health research priority setting; A mechanism that supports collaboration for oral health research; Better bargaining power for research funds for oral health research initiatives; A national database on oral health research priorities in line with 5 - year Malaysia Plans for monitoring the status of uptake and conduct of identified oral health research needs. This database will be updated annually; A compilation of oral health research abstracts to facilitate sharing of research findings; and The facilitation of selection of oral health research projects that reflect local and national needs for training undergraduate and postgraduate students.
With great honour and anticipation, I welcome all esteemed delegates to the National Oral Health Research Initiative (NOHRI) 2025.
As dental professionals, we are united by a shared purpose to deliver the highest standard of oral healthcare, grounded in science, compassion, and innovation. This year's theme, “Revolutionizing Dentistry: From Research Bench to Patient Care,” is timely and aligned with our national agenda. It underscores the urgent need to close the gap between scientific discovery and its practical application in clinical and public health settings. This paradigm, where research fuels innovation and innovation enhances patient outcomes, lies at the core of sustainable healthcare transformation.
In this regard, I would like to draw attention to the National Oral Health Policy 2022–2030, which outlines a strategic framework to elevate oral health across Malaysia. Among its six key domains, Research and Development (R&D) is prominently featured, acknowledging that evidence-based decision-making is essential for effective policy, planning, and practice.
Research is the backbone of clinical excellence. Yet, the true value of research lies in its translation. By reinforcing R&D as a national priority, the policy calls upon us as clinicians, researchers, educators, and policy-makers to generate, translate, and apply knowledge that is contextually relevant and patient-focused. NOHRI serves as a platform to support this mandate, enabling the dissemination of findings, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and catalysing innovation for transforming the everyday realities of our dental clinics, public health settings, and patient experiences.
Today, we stand at the intersection of emerging technologies, evolving disease patterns, and shifting patient expectations. Whether in artificial intelligence, bioengineering, preventive strategies, or community-based research, the potential to reshape dentistry is immense. The integration of research with practice has never been more urgent. However, meaningful change demands collaboration. It requires robust dialogue between researchers and practitioners, between educators and policy-makers, and between innovation and implementation.
Let us leverage this conference not only to share knowledge but to strengthen the research ecosystem that underpins our national policy. Together, we can accelerate the translation of research into practice and policy, ensuring that every advancement ultimately benefits the Malaysian population.
I extend my deepest appreciation to the organising committee, contributors, and participants for your commitment to excellence in oral health research. May NOHRI 2025 continue to be a catalyst for innovation, strengthen networks, and ultimately, move us closer to a future where research truly drives excellence in patient care.
Thank you.
Dr.Fauziah binti Ahmad
Deputy Director General of Health (Oral Health)
Ministry of Health Malaysia
Distinguished guests, esteemed colleagues, dental professionals, researchers, and friends,
Assalamualaikum and a good day.
Welcome to the National Oral Health Initiatives Conference 2025. It is a great honour and privilege to stand before you today as we gather under the powerful and timely theme: “Revolutionizing Dentistry: From Research Bench to Patient Care.”
In the last few years, we have witnessed tremendous change—not just in how we deliver dental services, but in how we understand oral health as integral to overall health, quality of life, and even systemic well-being. The COVID-19 pandemic reminded us of the fragility of our systems, but it also revealed our capacity to adapt, innovate, and move forward with resilience.
Today, we are living through a transformation in dentistry—one that is not just technical or procedural, but deeply translational. We are witnessing discoveries in biomaterials, digital workflows, artificial intelligence, microbiome research, 3D printing, and regenerative medicine—and we are seeing these discoveries leap from research labs into clinics, into communities, and ultimately, into the lives of our patients.
But this transformation does not happen by accident.
It is driven by collaboration—between scientists and clinicians, universities and industries, policymakers and educators. It is driven by a shared vision: that every innovation must not end in a journal article, but must live on in the smile of a relieved patient, the precision of a better-fitting prosthesis, or the early detection of a life-threatening disease.
We gather today not just to share data, but to connect vision with purpose. Because revolutionizing dentistry means ensuring that what we discover benefits not just the few, but the many. It means asking ourselves difficult but essential questions:
• How do we bridge the gap between research and real-world practice?
• How do we ensure equitable access to new technologies?
• How can we empower the next generation of dental professionals to think beyond the clinic, and into communities, systems, and populations?
In this revolution, research is not a silo. It is a bridge—a living, evolving bridge between knowledge and compassion, between innovation and action. And that bridge must be strengthened by investment in translational science, continuous professional education, evidence-based policy, and a culture of lifelong curiosity.
As we look to the future of oral health, we must be bold. We must rethink how we train our students, how we structure our health systems, and how we measure success—not only in terms of procedures performed, but in lives improved.
Let us not forget: behind every tooth is a person, and behind every person is a story.
So let this conference not only be a platform for sharing findings, but a launchpad for shared purpose. Let us make a commitment—not just to advance the science of dentistry, but to humanize it. To ensure that our breakthroughs in the lab become breakthroughs at the chairside—and beyond.
Together, we are not just improving dental care. We are redefining it.
Thank you, and I wish you a meaningful and transformative conference ahead
PROFESSOR DATO DR MOHAMED IBRAHIM ABU HASSAN, FASc
Dean Faculty of Dentistry, MAHSA University
& Advisor NOHRI Conference 2025
It is with great pleasure and a deep sense of responsibility that I welcome our distinguished guests and delegates to the 4th National Oral Health Research Initiative (NOHRI) Conference 2025. This year's theme, “Revolutionising Dentistry: From Research Bench to Patient Care,” is both timely and transformative, highlighting the critical journey of scientific discovery from laboratories to real-world clinical application.
As the organising committee, we are proud to curate a platform that brings together researchers, clinicians, academicians, and policy-makers from across the nation to foster collaboration, share groundbreaking findings, and ignite innovative ideas. Dentistry is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and this conference aims to bridge the gap between fundamental research and everyday patient care, ensuring that the benefits of innovation are translated into improved oral health outcomes for all.
This year, we are especially honoured to collaborate closely with the Ministry of Health Malaysia, whose continued support and partnership have been instrumental in advancing our shared goals of strengthening oral health research and integrating scientific advancements into national healthcare strategies. Their involvement underscores the vital role of public health leadership in driving meaningful change within our communities.
Over the course of this event, participants will engage with keynote lectures, oral and poster presentations, and interactive sessions that span the full spectrum of oral health research. From cutting-edge biomaterials and digital dentistry to public health strategies and translational science, we hope to inspire a renewed commitment to evidence-based practice and lifelong learning.
On behalf of the organising committee, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all contributors, speakers, sponsors, the Ministry of Health Malaysia, and attendees whose passion and dedication continue to shape the future of oral healthcare in our country. Let this conference serve not only as a knowledge-sharing forum but also as a catalyst for future collaborations and innovations.
As we advance research, we redefine care—empowering the next generation of dentistry.
Warm regards,
Professor Dr Hadijah Abdullah
Chairman, Organising Committee
4th NOHRI 2025