Back Row: Sabiha Bata, Mariam Khan, Adnan Larya, Taahir Royker, Amaarah Amod.
Front Row: Bibi Ayesha Dalvie, Dr Nashna Rampersad, Prof Dirk Smit, Mubasheerah Adam. Image: Supplied
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) Faculty of Dentistry proudly congratulates its outstanding undergraduate research team for their remarkable dedication, hard work and exceptional achievements.
The group has broken new ground for undergraduate research at UWC, setting an unprecedented record by securing multiple top awards across national and international platforms.
Awards & Competitions
- UWC Faculty of Dentistry Research Day 2024 – Undergraduate Competition Winners
- IADR – South African Division 2024 – Undergraduate Competition Winners
- SADA YDC – Young Publishers Award – Undergraduate Competition Winners
- The MPS Foundation – National Winners for South African and Namibian Dental Schools in the Undergraduate Research Competition
Conference Recognition
- IADR General Session 2025 – Accepted for Poster Presentation, marking an exceptional milestone for an undergraduate group.
This research topic was not assigned; it was chosen by the students after witnessing firsthand the difficulties patients face when trying to access oral healthcare. Their work powerfully highlights systemic challenges in service delivery and the lived experiences of communities dependent on the public health sector.
Despite the acclaim and awards they have earned, the team remains grounded in its purpose. They have committed their final year to sharing their findings widely, across clinical platforms, academic forums, and health system structures, with the aim of driving meaningful change. Their vision is clear: to utilise evidence as a tool for advocacy and to advance social justice within South Africa's oral health system.
The Faculty applauds Adnan, Mubasheerah, Sabiha, Bibi Ayesha, Amaarah, Mariam, and Taahir for raising the bar and representing UWC with excellence, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to improving the health system for all.
