BARCELONA, 8 July 2025 — Filipino dentist and pediatric dental care advocate Dr. Maritess Oliveros Villarico has won the Pediatric Oral Health Research Award (South East Asia Division). The award was presented at the 103rd General Session of the International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR) held in Barcelona on 27 June 2025.
Dr. Villarico was honored for her significant contributions to understanding oral health issues among children and adolescents. The award is sponsored by the Taiwanese Association of Pediatric Dentistry.
Her winning research, titled “Risk Factors for Early Childhood Caries in a High-Incidence Population,” was conducted in barangay health centers in Caloocan City. The study followed toddlers over two years, including during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.
“The study found that 76.5% of the children, with an average age of 36 months and around 19 teeth, already had dental caries,” Dr. Villarico explained. “We recommend integrating oral health education into maternal and child care programs, even before children’s teeth begin to erupt.”
Dr. Villarico’s pioneering research has influenced dental trauma management and pediatric endodontics. It was selected by an international panel of experts as one of the most outstanding studies from Southeast Asia.
During a visit to the Philippine Consul General on 28 June 2025, Dr. Villarico and the Philippine IADR delegates were congratulated by Philippine Consul General Maria Theresa S.M. Lazaro. She said, “Dr. Villarico’s achievement marks an important milestone for Filipino dental professionals dedicated to showcasing Philippine-based research on the global stage.”