International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research – Asia Pacific Regional (IADR-APR) Conference September 18-21, 2025 New Delhi, India

It is with immense pride and a measure of personal satisfaction — that I write this note to accompany the proceedings of the Combined Conference of the IADR Asia Pacific Region and the IADR Indian Division, held in New Delhi, India in September 18-21, 2025. This was, by any reckoning, a landmark event: the first time in history that an IADR Asia Pacific Region Conference was held on Indian soil. From the outset, it was my firm conviction and my consistent insistence, that this conference be no less than a mini-IADR, deliberately modelled on the scientific rigour, structural architecture, and scholarly atmosphere of the flagship IADR annual meetings, complete with symposia, keynote addresses, and a standard of presentation that would do credit to any international forum. The abstract submission and review process was handled through the official IADR platform, based in India for the first time ensuring that every submission was processed to the very high standards that govern IADR conferences worldwide. I thank the entire organizing team for their watchful oversight, and for upholding the high standards at every stage; the quality of the proceedings you hold in your hands is, I hope, proof of the effort put into this. My deepest appreciation goes to Prof. Dr. Mahesh Verma, Organizing Chair, and Prof. Dr. Saranjit Singh, Organizing Secretary, for translating this vision into reality with exemplary dedication; to the Science Desk — Prof. Dr. Ajay Logani and Prof. Dr. Ruchika Gupta, for their scientific rigour; and most especially to Prof. Dr. Harsh Priya, whose tireless and meticulous stewardship of every oral and poster abstract, from submission through to this printed volume, has been extraordinary. I am extremely thankful to Dr. Anil Kohli, the conference secretary who coordinated the entire conference. We at the Indian Division, are extremely thankful to the entire leadership of the IADR – Prof. Pamela Yelick, the then President and the entire team for their support. Our thanks goes to the IADR APR leadership, IADR SEA leadership and all Divisional leaders, notably from the Japanese division and Cambodian Section for their support, guidance and presence in this conference. Finally, to the approximately 400 delegates from 21 countries, besides India graced New Delhi with their presence and their science: this conference was yours, and it is my sincere hope that the standard we set together will be the benchmark for every IADR gathering in this region for years to come. Last but not least, I thank Dr. Christopher Fox and his entire team at IADR Head Quarters for their support to make this a great scientific event. As the current Secretary General of both the IADR Asia Pacific Region and the IADR Indian Division, I am deeply honoured to have witnessed and catalyzed this historic confluence of scientific excellence, professional camaraderie, and international collaboration. The publication of these proceedings marks not just an end point, but a beginning — a record that will inspire and inform researchers for years to come. May the science shared in New Delhi continue to advance the frontiers of oral health research across Asia Pacific and around the world.