Overview
Background
Dr Sobia Zafar is a specialist paediatric dentist, clinical senior lecturer and the discipline lead in paediatric dentistry at The University of Queensland. She also holds an affiliated position of Senior Research Fellow at the Child Health Research Centre. She is the current president of the Australia and New Zealand Society of Paediatric Dentistry (ANZSPD) Qld section and the councillor for the International Association of Dental Research (IADR) ANZ for Brisbane section.
Sobia completed her DClinDent and PhD from the University of Otago, New Zealand. Her research and clinical interests are in dental education, digital dentistry, and children's oral health, including those with special needs. She is frequently an invited speaker nationally and internationally on these subjects. Sobia has over 100 publications, comprising full journal papers, a book chapter and published abstracts, in national and international high-quality peer-reviewed journals. Sobia has successfully supervised 40 Honours research students, five HDR (PhD and MPhil) and two DClinDent students to completion. Sobia was the winner of the "Best Research Supervisor Award" for Higher Degree Research students in 2022 and also in 2023.
She is a passionate teacher involved in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching at UQ and in the wider dental profession in Australia and overseas. She has also conducted multiple hands-on courses locally and overseas for the Australian Dental Association Qld branch. Sobia has received numerous teaching awards and fellowships in recognition of her contributions, including from UQ the HABS Commendation for Substantive Contributions to Student Learning (2020), HABS Programs that Enhance Learning (APEL) Commendation (2021), HABS Commendation for Substantive Contributions to Student Learning Award (2022), and a UQ Teaching Excellence Award for APEL Commendation (2022). In 2022, she gained a Fellowship from the Faculty of Dental Trainers of the Royal College of Surgeons Edinburgh, UK, as peer recognition for her accomplishments in dental education. She has recently received the Excellence in Health Professional Education Award from the Australian and New Zealand Association for Health Professional Educators (ANZAHPE) and Flinders University (2023).
Sobia is a highly recognised and respected community leader. Sobia is involved with various dental charities, including the Australian Dental Health Foundation, the Esesson Foundation, and the Turbans4Australia, to provide emergency and essential dental care to underprivileged children (refugees, asylum seekers, those with special needs, and from disadvantaged communities) in the Brisbane and Gold Coast regions. Her efforts as a community leader and leading health professional have been recognised with awards within UQ (the 2022 LeadHers Rise Community Award) and at the national level (the 2022 Appreciation Award from Turbans4Australia). As recognition from her dental peers, she was granted a Fellowship of the Pierre Fauchard Academy.
Availability
- Associate Professor Sobia Zafar is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Qualifications
- Higher Education Academy, Higher Education Academy
- International College of Dentists, International College of Dentists
- Member, Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons, Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons
Research impacts
Awards
- 2025 Excellence in Teaching, Research, Supervision, Service and Philanthropy Award, Australia and New Zealand Society of Paediatric Dentistry Qld (ANZSPDQ)
- 2024 Distinguished Service Award - Australian Dental Association Qld (ADAQ)
- 2023 Queensland Young Tall Poppy Science Award Finalist - Outstanding early career researchers
- 2023 Best Rsearch Supervisor Award - Winner - UQ SoD Research Day
- 2023 Excellence in Health Professional Education Award - The Flinders University - ANZAHPE
- 2022 HABS Commendation for Substantive Contributions to Student Learning Award (Early Career Researcher),The University of Queensland
- 2022 LeadHers Community Leadership Award, The University of Queensland
- 2022 Appreciation Award for Community Work, Turbans4Australia, Green and Gold Charity, Australia
- 2022 UQ Techaing Excellence Award for Programs that Enhance Learning Commendation, The University of Queensland
- 2022 Best Research Supervisor Award, UQ School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland
- 2021 HABS Award for Programs that Enhance Learning Commendation, The University of Queensland
- 2020 HABS Commendation for Substantive Contributions to Student Learning Award, The University of Queensland
- 2015 Awarded Best student presenter prize at Annual Research Day, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, New Zealand
- 2015 Winner IADR NZ division Travel Award, University of Otago, New Zealand
- 2012 Awarded Runner up Colgate senior category IADR ANZ Division, University of Otago, New Zealand
- 2012 Awarded Best student presenter prize at Annual Research Day, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, New Zealand
- 2010 University of Otago Doctoral Scholarship, New Zealand
- 2007 Awarded Best Junior Researcher prize, University of Cape Town, South Africa
- 2001 Gold Medal in Oral Pathology (National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan)
- 2001 Distinction in Oral Pathology (National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan)
- 2000 Gold Medal in Oral Medicine & Periodontology (National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan)
- 1999 Gold Medal in Dental Anatomy, Histology &Tooth Morphology (National University of Sciences and Technology, Pakistan)
Professional Memberships
- 2020 - present The Australian Collaborative Education Network Limited (ACEN)
- 2020- present International Association of Dental Traumatology (IADT)
- 2020- present The Australian Collaborative Education Network Limited (ACEN)
- 2016- present Australian Dental Association (ADA)
- 2015- present Australia & New Zealand Society of Paediatric Dentistry (ANZSPD)
- 2012- present International Association of Dental Research (IADR)
Media
- 2022 - UQ News - Link: https://tinyurl.com/28mu7cxn
- 2022 - Bite Magazine - Link: https://www.bitemagazine.com.au/virtual-teaching-at-australian-uni-improves-dental-reality/
- 2022 - Australian Muslim Achievement Awards - Finalists and Winners - Mission of Hope, Australia - Link: https://missionofhope.org.au/amaa-2022-finalists-and-winners/
- 2020 - Dental Mirror - ADAQ Spring Issue - https://adaq.informz.net/adaq/data/images/Dental%20Mirror/ADAQ_Mirror_Sep2020_web-compressed.pdf
- 2019 - Dental Mirror - ADAQ December issue Link: https://indd.adobe.com/view/5d9fb8f1-c605-4ddd-a710-6b6eac77046d
Works
Search Professor Sobia Zafar’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Conference Publication
Trueness and precision of intraoral scanners in partially dentate arches with ridge defects: a comparative study
Reena, Ohm, Zafar, Sobia, Thomson, David and El Masoud, Bilal (2024). Trueness and precision of intraoral scanners in partially dentate arches with ridge defects: a comparative study. 63rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the IADR ANZ Division, Cairns, QLD, Australia, 25 - 27 September 2024.
2024
Conference Publication
Evaluating the physicochemical properties, antimicrobial efficacy, and staining potential of nanoparticles in paediatric dental care.
Almuqrin, A., Seneviratne, J., Walsh, L. J. and Zafar, S. (2024). Evaluating the physicochemical properties, antimicrobial efficacy, and staining potential of nanoparticles in paediatric dental care.. UQ School of Dentistry Annual Research Day, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 26 July. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: University of Queensland.
2023
Conference Publication
Awareness of oral complications among body piercers and pierced individuals
Masood, M., Walsh, L.J. and Zafar, S. (2023). Awareness of oral complications among body piercers and pierced individuals. 62nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the IADR ANZ Division, Sydney, NSW Australia, 27-29 September 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
Students’ perception on alternative local anaesthesia techniques for anxious dental patients
Zafar, Sobia and Zachar, Jessica J. (2023). Students’ perception on alternative local anaesthesia techniques for anxious dental patients. 62nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the IADR ANZ Division, Sydney, NSW Australia, 27-29 September 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
Split mouth comparative study of two silver fluoride protocols for arresting carious lesions and changes in discoloration in adults with special needs
See, L., Zafar, S., Fu, D., Ha, D., Walsh, L.J. and Lopez-Silva, C. (2023). Split mouth comparative study of two silver fluoride protocols for arresting carious lesions and changes in discoloration in adults with special needs. 62nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the IADR ANZ Division, Sydney, NSW Australia, 27-29 September 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
Traumatic Dental Injuries: Are dental students prepared to manage them?
Cheong, L.L.J., Ler, V., Teh, A.M., Abbott, P.V. and Zafar, S. (2023). Traumatic Dental Injuries: Are dental students prepared to manage them?. 62nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the IADR ANZ Division, Sydney, NSW Australia, 27-29 September 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
Vital pulp therapy simulation training using novel 3D-printed tooth models
Cassidy, L., Lee, S., Ki, J.W.W., Zachar, Z.J., Zafar, S. and Peters, C.I. (2023). Vital pulp therapy simulation training using novel 3D-printed tooth models. 62nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the IADR ANZ Division, Sydney, NSW Australia, 27-29th September 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
Using Silver fluoride in adults with special needs
See, Lydia, Fu, David, Ha, Diep, Walsh, Laurence, Zafar, Sobia and Lopez Silva, Claudia (2023). Using Silver fluoride in adults with special needs. 2023 FDI World Dental Congress, Sydney, NSW Australia, 24-27 September 2023. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.identj.2023.07.231
2023
Journal Article
Oral complications associated with metal ion release from oral piercings: a systematic review
Masood, M., Walsh, L. J. and Zafar, S (2023). Oral complications associated with metal ion release from oral piercings: a systematic review. European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry, 24 (6), 1-14. doi: 10.1007/s40368-023-00831-0
2023
Conference Publication
Retrospective analysis of incidence and trends of dental school injuries before, during, and after Covid-19
Xu, Kevin, Hu, Norman, Chen, Jiaying and Zafar, Sobia (2023). Retrospective analysis of incidence and trends of dental school injuries before, during, and after Covid-19. UQ SoD Research Day, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 28 July 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
Synthesis of novel silver and selenium antimicrobial nanocomposites
Almuqrin, Amjad, Kaur, Inder Preet, Walsh, Laurence, Seneviratne, Jaya AthukoralaArachchi and Zafar, Sobia (2023). Synthesis of novel silver and selenium antimicrobial nanocomposites. UQ SoD Research Day, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 28 July 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
A split mouth comparative study of two silver fluoride protocols for arresting carious lesions and changes in discoloration in adults with special needs
See, Lydia, Zafar, Sobia, Fu, David, Ha, Diep, Walsh, Laurence and Lopz-Silva, Claudia (2023). A split mouth comparative study of two silver fluoride protocols for arresting carious lesions and changes in discoloration in adults with special needs. UQ SoD Research Day, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 28 July 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
Preclinical VPT simulation using 3D-printed tooth models
Cassidy, Liam, Ki, Ji Wan-William, Lee, Sungho, Zachar, Jessica, Zafar, Sobia and Peters, Christine (2023). Preclinical VPT simulation using 3D-printed tooth models. UQ SoD Research Day, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 28 July 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
Identifying oral health related quality of life domains in Australian individuals with Rett syndrome
Lai, Yvonne, Zafar, Sobia, Walsh, Laurence, Leonard, Helen and Downs, Jenny (2023). Identifying oral health related quality of life domains in Australian individuals with Rett syndrome. UQ SoD Research Day, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 28 July 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
Assessing the knowledge and attitudes of dental students regarding dental trauma management in primary and young permanent teeth in children
Min, Teh Anastasia, Cheong, Luan Lin Jovita, Ler, Vonn, Abbott, Paul and Zafar, Sobia (2023). Assessing the knowledge and attitudes of dental students regarding dental trauma management in primary and young permanent teeth in children. UQ SoD Research Day, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 28 July 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
Missing the point: How aware of oral complications are body piercing professionals and pierced individuals?
Masood, Manal, Walsh, Laurence and Zafar, Sobia (2023). Missing the point: How aware of oral complications are body piercing professionals and pierced individuals?. UQ SoD Research Day, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 28 July 2023.
2023
Conference Publication
Comparison of two software rating systems during dental training using motion and haptic sensors technologies
Danylak, Stefan, Walsh, Laurence and Zafar, Sobia (2023). Comparison of two software rating systems during dental training using motion and haptic sensors technologies. UQ SoD Research Day, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 28 July 2023.
2023
Journal Article
Scope of silver nanoparticles in periodontal and peri-implant wound healing: a systematic review of translation research
Siddiqi, Allauddin and Zafar, Sobia (2023). Scope of silver nanoparticles in periodontal and peri-implant wound healing: a systematic review of translation research. Essentials of Dentistry, 2 (2), 55-65. doi: 10.5152/essentdent.2023.23006
2023
Journal Article
Evaluating the stress of root canal treatment in patients and dentists compared to other dental treatments: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Huynh, Richard, Peters, Christine I., Zafar, Sobia and Peters, Ove A. (2023). Evaluating the stress of root canal treatment in patients and dentists compared to other dental treatments: a systematic review and meta-analysis. European Journal of Oral Sciences, 131 (4) e12941, e12941. doi: 10.1111/eos.12941
2023
Journal Article
Association between disability status and dental attendance patterns in Australian children: a national survey
Sawhney, Seerat, Vu, Theresa, Chen, Fiona, Wong, Kingsley, Zafar, Sobia and Lopez-Silva, Claudia (2023). Association between disability status and dental attendance patterns in Australian children: a national survey. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, 51 (3), 443-451. doi: 10.1111/cdoe.12755
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Sobia Zafar is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Assessment of the effects of professionally applied Silver Diamine Fluoride on early childhood caries
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Laurence Walsh, Associate Professor Jaya Seneviratne
-
Master Philosophy
Impact of Barriers for Perception Dental Care Services of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Mothers on Australian Healthcare System
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Asaduzzaman Khan, Professor Lauren Ball, Dr Diep Ha
-
Doctor Philosophy
Ergonomics in Dentistry
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Laurence Walsh
-
Master Philosophy
Exploring Factors in Dentists' Decision-Making in Vital Pulp Therapy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ove Peters
-
Doctor Philosophy
Therapeutic Efficacy of Dental Analgesia through a Poly Light-Emitting Diode (LED) for dental procedures.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Laurence Walsh, Professor Peter Reher
-
Master Philosophy
Virtual reality teaching and its effect on veterinary students' practical outcomes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Frances Shapter, Dr Ben Wood, Dr Allison Stewart
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Master Philosophy
Virtual reality teaching and its effect on veterinary students' practical outcomes
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Ben Wood, Dr Frances Shapter, Dr Allison Stewart
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Evaluating oral health and its impacts in Rett syndrome- stepping-stones to achieving a better quality of life
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Laurence Walsh
-
2024
Master Philosophy
The impact of oral piercings: an in vivo and in vitro study
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Laurence Walsh
-
2023
Master Philosophy
The effects of decontamination practices and diet on preformed paediatric crowns, and their biocompatibility in the oral cavity
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Laurence Walsh
-
2024
Master Philosophy
Exploring Factors in Decision-Making in Vital Pulp Therapy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ove Peters
-
2024
Master Philosophy
Barriers to Widespread Endodontic Practice Amongst General Dental Practitioners in Queensland, Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Ove Peters
Media
Enquiries
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