Published: 30 October 2026
Dr Sharon Tan, a joint doctoral student at NUS Dentistry and King’s College London (KCL) Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, has received two research awards for her work examining financial incentives and access to dental care.
Young Researcher Prize at iADH Conference 2026
At the International Association for Disability & Oral Health (iADH) Conference 2026, held from 19 to 22 August in Dublin, Dr Tan received the Young Researcher Prize for her oral presentation, “Perceptions of financial incentives for dental care among socioeconomically disadvantaged adults”.
Her study explored how adults from lower-income households in Singapore perceive and respond to financial incentives for dental care. Through in-depth interviews, the research found that high dental costs can discourage preventive visits and lead to delays in treatment.
The findings highlight the importance of designing accessible financial assistance schemes that account for the competing financial, health, and caregiving demands faced by individuals from socioeconomically disadvantaged households. The award recognises Dr Tan’s research contribution to understanding the barriers that affect access to oral healthcare.
First Runner-up (Senior Category) at 2026 IADR-SEA Hatton Divisional Competition
Dr Tan received further recognition at the 2026 International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research-Southeast Asia (IADR-SEA) Hatton Divisional Competition, held from 17 to 19 September in Phnom Penh. Her oral presentation, “Financial incentives to encourage dental care utilisation: An explanatory sequential mixed-methods study”, garnered 1st Runner-up in the Senior category of the competition.
The IADR-SEA Hatton Competitions provide platforms for outstanding junior and senior researchers from Southeast Asia to present their work at the annual IADR General Sessions and compete in the Global Hatton Competitions.
Dr Tan’s study examined whether cash rebates could encourage adults to seek dental care regularly. Combining a randomised controlled trial with qualitative interviews over an 18-month follow-up period, the research investigated the potential of financial incentives to influence dental care utilisation and generated insights for more effective dental financing schemes.
Her recognition highlights the relevance of research that combines rigorous evaluation with an understanding of patients’ experiences to inform practical approaches to improving access to care.
Advancing Equitable Access to Oral Healthcare
Together, the two awards attest to Dr Tan’s contributions to research addressing financial barriers to dental care. Dr Tan is supervised by Associate Professor Gao Xiaoli, who is NUS Dentistry’s Research Lead for Oral Craniofacial Health Surveillance and Promotion, Professor Jennifer Gallagher from KCL, and Professor Stefan Listl from Heidelberg University. Both of her projects, funded by the Singapore National Medical Research Council (NMRC) Research Training Fellowship and the National University Health System (NUHS) Clinician Scientist Programme (NCSP) 2.0, highlight the importance of understanding both how individuals experience these barriers and how financial support can be designed to encourage regular dental care.
NUS Dentistry congratulates Dr Tan on these achievements and her contributions to advancing evidence-informed approaches to more accessible and equitable oral healthcare.
