Dear Campus Community
Today, we commemorate World Health Day as the World Health Organization launches a global campaign celebrating the power of scientific collaboration to protect people, animals, plants and the planet.
The campaign will highlight scientific achievements and the multilateral cooperation needed to turn evidence into action – with a strong focus on the One Health approach.
The work of the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of the Western Cape resonates profoundly with this year’s theme: “Together for health. Stand with science,” as we position oral health as a fundamental pillar of global well-being. Through a multidisciplinary lens, the faculty champions integrating oral care into broader health policies, affirming that systemic health is unattainable without dental equity.
“Innovation drives this mission, exemplified by groundbreaking research on Zeolite-Y-loaded chitosan nanoparticles for antimicrobial therapy and by the exploration of dental genomics within African populations to address historic research disparities,” said Prof Razia Adam, Deputy Dean of Research at the Faculty of Dentistry.
“The faculty’s reach extends beyond clinical walls into underserved regions, investigating dental fluorosis in Cameroon and addressing the ethical complexities of early childhood caries and dental neglect in South Africa.”
Crucially, the faculty highlights the oral-systemic link, connecting dental manifestations to broader conditions such as Enamel Renal Syndrome – a rare genetic condition that affects both the teeth and the kidneys – as well as the outcomes of head and neck cancer. By prioritising evidence-based practices, including sustainable infection control and antimicrobial stewardship, the faculty continues to strengthen public trust in science and healthcare.
Furthermore, strategic initiatives such as the decolonisation of forensic odontology and efforts to address the impact of ultra-processed foods demonstrate a forward-thinking commitment to public health. Collectively, these achievements illustrate the faculty’s vital role in architecting a healthier, more equitable future for all.
As the World Health Organization reminds us this World Health Day, science remains one of humanity’s most powerful tools for safeguarding life and advancing dignity. This global call to rebuild trust in science, strengthen public health systems, and support science-led solutions for a healthier future finds meaningful expression in the work undertaken at UWC. In standing with science, we reaffirm our commitment to knowledge that serves society, collaboration that transcends borders, and health systems that leave no one behind.
Yours sincerely,
Professor Robert John Balfour
Rector and Vice-Chancellor
