University of Sheffield Professor receives highest honour in dentistry

A University of Sheffield academic has received one of the highest awards by the International Association for Dental Research (IADR), for his work on clinical and translational dentistry research.

Professor Martin Thornhill receiving the award from Professor Chris Deery
Professor Martin Thornhill receiving the award from Professor Chris Deery, Dean of the University of Sheffield's Medical School
  • Professor Martin Thornhill, from the University of Sheffield’s School of Clinical Dentistry, has been awarded a Distinguished Scientist award
  • The award is one of the highest honours bestowed by the International Association for Dental Research

A University of Sheffield academic has received one of the highest awards by the International Association for Dental Research (IADR), for his work on clinical and translational dentistry research.

Professor Martin Thornhill, from the University of Sheffield, has been named as the 2021 recipient of the Distinguished Scientist in Pharmacology, Therapeutics and Toxicology Research award by the International Association for Dental Research.

The award recognises Professor Thornhill’s outstanding and sustained peer-reviewed research that has contributed to our knowledge of the mechanisms, efficacy and safety of drugs used in dentistry.

Over his career, Professor Thornhill has conducted research studies covering the full basic laboratory science through to clinical trials. This work has resulted in 156 peer-reviewed papers, 21 books and book chapters and 315 presentations.

The IADR has recognised him for his key research work in linking clinical and scientific research in dental and medical subject areas which has helped to stimulate new research in oral medicine.

His research has even helped to change NICE guidelines when working with a member of the public to understand how a heart infection had taken her partner’s life.

By working together, they instigated a small but life-saving change to UK dental practice, changing NICE guidelines to allow dentists to prescribe antibiotic prophylaxis and improving outcomes for patients at risk of Infective Endocarditis.

This is the second time Professor Thornhill has been recognised by the IADR, after previously receiving the Distinguished Scientist Award in Oral Medicine and Pathology in 2015.

I am extremely proud and grateful that my colleagues have chosen to honour my research at the interface between medicine and dentistry with this prestigious international research award. I am particularly humbled that I am one of only a small group of individuals to have been honoured in this way twice.”

Professor Martin Thornhill

Professor of Translational Research in Dentistry


Additional information

The International Association for Dental Research (IADR) is a nonprofit organization with over 10,000  individual members worldwide, with a mission to drive dental, oral and craniofacial research for health and  well-being worldwide. 

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