The University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics hosted the 73rd Annual Meeting of the Iowa Section of the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. This year’s meeting, themed “Advancing Integrity and Innovation: From Scientific Publishing to Clinical Impact,” brought together faculty, students, researchers, and collaborators to share cutting-edge work that is shaping the future of oral, craniofacial, and dental science. Presentations and posters were held throughout the Dental Science Building, reflecting the breadth and vitality of our college’s research enterprise. 

 

The morning program featured an outstanding lineup of speakers:

 

Dr. Cristina Vidal, Associate Professor and DEO of Operative Dentistry, delivered a featured address titled “Beyond Bacteria: Host‑Microbiome Interactions Driving Caries Progression.” Her talk highlighted how host biology and microbial shifts together influence caries development and inform new strategies for preserving tooth structure.

 

Dr. Christopher Barwacz, Professor and Chair of Family Dentistry, presented “Emergence Profile Design at the Biologic–Prosthetic Interface: Translational Evidence Guiding Digital Implant Therapy,” emphasizing clinical findings from digital workflows and implant research conducted at Iowa.

 

Dr. Jacques Nör, Dean of the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, gave the keynote address, “Stem cells in dental pulp tissue regeneration.” His presentation explored the promise of dental pulp stem cells for future regenerative therapies.

The event also showcased oral and poster sessions featuring the work of predoctoral students, graduate students, residents, postdoctoral scholars, and faculty across five interdisciplinary research areas. These presentations underscored the College’s continued leadership in advancing science that improves oral health outcomes and informs clinical care.

 

Check out the photo gallery below, featuring images captured by College of Dentistry staff photographer Jake Hannon.