#  Harvard Worldwide Week: SMILE-Bridge: Strategic Multinational Initiative for Leading Equity in Oral Health 

 



    ![Drs. Catherine Hayes and Stefan Listl](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_5_4__480x385/public/2026-10/smile-bridge-04817%20copy.jpg?itok=L5mQC1h1) 

 



 

####  calendar\_today Date and Time 

 **October 16, 2026** 

 02:00PM - 03:00PM EDT 

####  pin\_drop Location 

 **Zoom**  



 

 [ Register arrow\_circle\_right ](https://harvard.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_j_N5MXfQRvSGvvFbz1SYZA) 

 



 

Oral diseases are among the world’s most prevalent health conditions and disproportionately affect vulnerable populations. Yet despite commitments from the United Nations and World Health Organization to advance Universal Health Coverage, many people still lack access to essential oral health care or face financial hardship when seeking it. While oral health is increasingly recognized as an important part of social development, effective, scalable, and context-sensitive community-based solutions remain limited.

Join faculty from Harvard School of Dental Medicine and Heidelberg University for a discussion of SMILE-Bridge, a new joint initiative that brings together expertise in oral public health to advance oral health among underserved populations through collaborative, participatory research.

**Meet the speakers**

- Dr. [Catherine Hayes](/people/catherine-hayes "Catherine Hayes"), chair and associate professor of the Department of Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology at HSDM
- Dr. Stefan Listl, professor of Translational Health Economics and director of the Oral Health Section at Heidelberg Institute of Global Health
- Dr. [Christine Riedy Murphy](/people/christine-ann-riedy-murphy "Christine Ann Riedy Murphy"), associate professor of Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology at HSDM
- Dr. [Shenam Ticku](/people/shenam-ticku "Shenam Ticku"), assistant professor of Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology at HSDM

*This event is part of* [*Worldwide Week at Harvard*](https://worldwide.harvard.edu/events/worldwide-week-harvard-home/)*, showcasing the remarkable breadth of Harvard’s global engagement. During Worldwide Week, Harvard Schools, research centers, departments, and student organizations host academic and cultural events with global or international themes. This year’s Worldwide Week at Harvard will be held October 11–17, 2026.*



 

##  Related news 

Read more about HSDM and Heidelberg University receiving a grant to study oral health in disadvantaged communities across the globe.

 

 



  [### Heidelberg-Harvard funds international collaboration aimed at addressing global oral health disparities

 ](/news/2026/07/heidelberg-harvard-funds-international-collaboration-aimed-addressing-global-oral) July 08, 2026 

Harvard School of Dental Medicine and Heidelberg University receive a strategic partnership grant to advance global oral health research in underserved communities.



 

 

   ![external view of REB](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-06/HSDM-REB.jpg?itok=5oxmZTg4) 

 



 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

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- [ Global and Community Health ](/news-and-events/global-and-community-health)
 
 

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