2OO9 – 2O1O - Faculty of Dentistry - University of Otago

Otago Professor wins international award for research
in dental health
Professor Murray Thomson from the University of Otago’s Department of Oral Sciences
was the 2010 recipient of a prestigious award from the International Association for Dental
Research. The H. Trendley Dean Memorial Award was presented to Professor Thomson at the
Association’s 88th General Session & Exhibition in Barcelona, Spain.
Before he left for Barcelona, Professor Thomson said he felt extremely honoured to be chosen
for the award, and it marked a major milestone in his professional career. As Professor of Dental
Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of Otago, he is a prolific researcher. He is
known for his contributions in several areas of dentistry, most notably the natural history of oral
conditions (and associated disparities) in both young people and older adults.
In a statement announcing the award, the Association said Professor Thomson is regarded as an
international expert on the epidemiology of dry mouth and has undertaken important work on
the measurement and epidemiology of that condition. “Professor Thomson has made a number
of important contributions in this field. These range from the epidemiological validation of
quality of life measures (as it relates to oral health) to various aspects of health services research
and dental practice,” the statement said.
Professor Thomson entered academia in 1994 after five years in general dental practice in New
Zealand and England, and seven years in this country’s public dental sector. He has been at
Otago in his academic and research role since 1996. His research has been funded by a number
of agencies, including the US National Institutes of Health, the New Zealand Dental Association,
the Health Research Council of New Zealand and the Ministry of Health. To date, Professor
Thomson has published 179 research papers in peer-reviewed scientific literature. He is also the
Editor of the New Zealand Dental Journal.
The award is in memory of H. Trendley Dean, the 21st President of the IADR and first dental
officer of the National Institutes of Health. The award comprises a monetary prize and plaque, and
is given for distinguished accomplishments in research and development in the fields of behavioural
science, epidemiology, and public health. It is one of the highest honours bestowed by the IADR.
Alan Docking Award for 2009
In 2009, Professor Thomson received the prestigious Alan Docking Award from the Australia-New
Zealand division of the IADR. The Docking Award is given for distinguished research in dentistry.
Professor Murray Thomson receiving the IADR Distinguished Scientist Award (the 2010
H Trendley Dean Memorial Award, for meritorious research in epidemiology and public
health) at the 2010 General Session of the International Association for Dental Research,
Barcelona, July 2010.
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