Portuguese dentist Susana Falardo has been honoured with the Recognition and Merit Award, presented by the international organisation Dental World (DW). The public tribute took place in Budapest, Hungary, during the official ceremony of the institution’s annual congress, one of the largest dental medicine forums in Europe, which brought together 12,000 attendees from various countries and continents.
This international award is given exclusively to recognise the pioneering role, vision and ongoing work of the Portuguese clinician in introducing, implementing and developing Dental Sleep Medicine in Hungary. The prize acknowledges the practical impact of her scientific and training contributions to the country’s healthcare landscape, helping to lay the foundations for the clinical approach to conditions such as snoring and obstructive sleep apnoea.
Susana Falardo’s work and dedication have been instrumental in advancing the scientific and academic training of healthcare professionals, promoting the introduction of innovative therapeutic protocols and raising awareness within the medical and scientific community of the crucial role dentists play in multidisciplinary teams.
On receiving the award in Budapest, the Portuguese specialist highlighted the global impact of international scientific cooperation: “It is an immense honour to receive this recognition for the work carried out in Hungary. Introducing a clinical discipline requires building solid bridges between different medical specialties. This award reflects the commitment to placing the dentist at the centre of the multidisciplinary teams that treat sleep disorders, ensuring a better quality of life for patients,” said Susana Falardo.
With this new recognition abroad, the Portuguese dentist’s professional career is further consolidated as a global reference for innovation and leadership in Dental Sleep Medicine. This distinction in Hungary adds to an already highly decorated international record, which includes globally relevant honours such as the Pierre Robin Academic Award (presented in 2025 by the prestigious American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine (AADSM)), the Pin Gold SEMDES (Sociedad Española de Medicina Dental del Sueño) and the Asia-Pacific Award, reaffirming the impact and cutting-edge standing of Portuguese dentistry worldwide.
