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
2020
Journal Article
Investigation of inter- and intra-rater reliability using digital dental software for prosthodontics crown preparations
Shih, Wen, Tran, Kenny, Yang, Vivian, El Masoud, Bilal, Sexton, Christopher and Zafar, Sobia (2020). Investigation of inter- and intra-rater reliability using digital dental software for prosthodontics crown preparations. Journal of Dental Education, 84 (9), 1037-1045. doi: 10.1002/jdd.12180
2020
Journal Article
Evaluation of augmented reality application for learning dental anatomy as a novel educational tool
Zafar, Sobia and Zachar, Jessica (2020). Evaluation of augmented reality application for learning dental anatomy as a novel educational tool. European Journal of Dental Education, 24 (2) eje.12492, 259-265. doi: 10.1111/eje.12492
2020
Journal Article
Virtual Reality as a novel educational tool in preclinical paediatric dentistry training: students' perceptions
Zafar, Sobia, Lai, Yvonne, Sexton, Christopher and Siddiqi, Allauddin (2020). Virtual Reality as a novel educational tool in preclinical paediatric dentistry training: students' perceptions. International journal of paediatric dentistry, 30 (6) ipd.12648, 791-797. doi: 10.1111/ipd.12648
2020
Conference Publication
Behaviour management of dentally anxious children
Zafar, S. (2020). Behaviour management of dentally anxious children. The Paediatric Dental Practice, CPD event, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 12th March 2020.
2020
Journal Article
The in vitro effect of VEGF receptor inhibition on primary alveolar osteoblast nodule formation
McLaughlin, Katy I., Milne, Trudy J., Zafar, Sobia, Zanicotti, Diogo G., Cullinan, Mary P., Seymour, Gregory J. and Coates, Dawn E. (2020). The in vitro effect of VEGF receptor inhibition on primary alveolar osteoblast nodule formation. Australian Dental Journal, 65 (3) adj.12752, 196-204. doi: 10.1111/adj.12752
2020
Journal Article
Awareness of diabetic patients regarding the bidirectional association between periodontal disease and diabetes mellitus: A public oral health concern
Siddiqi, Allauddin, Zafar, Sobia, Sharma, Ajay and Quaranta, Alessandro (2020). Awareness of diabetic patients regarding the bidirectional association between periodontal disease and diabetes mellitus: A public oral health concern. The Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice , 21 (11), 1270-1274. doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10024-2974
2020
Journal Article
Effects of zoledronic acid and geranylgeraniol on angiogenic gene expression in primary human osteoclasts
Zafar, Sobia, Cullinan, Mary P., Drummond, Bernadette K., Seymour, Gregory J. and Coates, Dawn E. (2020). Effects of zoledronic acid and geranylgeraniol on angiogenic gene expression in primary human osteoclasts. Journal of Oral Science, 62 (1), 79-83. doi: 10.2334/josnusd.19-0130
2019
Conference Publication
Assessing inter- and intra-rater reliability of Romexis Compare® software
Tran, K., Shih, E., Yang, V., Sexton, C., El Masoud, B. and Zafar, S. (2019). Assessing inter- and intra-rater reliability of Romexis Compare® software. School of Dentistry Student Research Conference , Brisbane, QLD Australia, 14 November 2019.
2019
Journal Article
Diabetic patient's knowledge of the bidirectional link: are dental healthcare professionals effectively conveying the message?
Siddiqi, A., Zafar, S., Sharma, A. and Quaranta, A. (2019). Diabetic patient's knowledge of the bidirectional link: are dental healthcare professionals effectively conveying the message?. Australian Dental Journal, 64 (4) adj.12721, 312-326. doi: 10.1111/adj.12721
2019
Conference Publication
Dental students' perceptions on preclinical paediatric dentistry experience gained in Simodont® Haptic Dental Simulator
Zafar, S. (2019). Dental students' perceptions on preclinical paediatric dentistry experience gained in Simodont® Haptic Dental Simulator. Annual Research Day, School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 23 August 2019.
2019
Conference Publication
Assessing inter- and intra-operator reliability of Romexis Compare® software
Tran, K., Shih, E., Yang, V., Sexton, C., El Masoud, B. and Zafar, S. (2019). Assessing inter- and intra-operator reliability of Romexis Compare® software. Annual Research Day, School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 23 August 2019.
2019
Journal Article
Paediatric dentists treating children on bisphosphonates: a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study
Lau, Jeremy, Ng, Lei, Siddiqi, Allauddin and Zafar, Sobia (2019). Paediatric dentists treating children on bisphosphonates: a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study. Pediatric Dentistry, 41 (4), 285-292.
2019
Conference Publication
Stainless steel crown in paediatric dentistry
Zafar, S. (2019). Stainless steel crown in paediatric dentistry. School of Dentistry, The University of Queensland, CPD event, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 24 May 2019.
2019
Journal Article
The prevalence of percutaneous exposure incidents among staff and students treating pediatric patients
Kan, Samantha, Ho, Vanessa, Siddiqi, Allauddin and Zafar, Sobia (2019). The prevalence of percutaneous exposure incidents among staff and students treating pediatric patients. Journal of Dentistry for Children, 86 (2), 81-87.
2019
Conference Publication
Assessing inter- and intra-rater reliability of Romexis Compare® software
Yang, V., Shih, E., Tran, K., Tran, K., El Masoud, B. and Zafar, S. (2019). Assessing inter- and intra-rater reliability of Romexis Compare® software. 4th Meeting of the International Association for Dental Research Asia Pacific Region, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 28-30 November 2019.
2019
Conference Publication
Dental students' perceptions on preclinical paediatric dentistry experience gained in Simodont® Haptic Dental Simulator
Zafar, S., Sexton, C. and Siddiqi, A. (2019). Dental students' perceptions on preclinical paediatric dentistry experience gained in Simodont® Haptic Dental Simulator. 4th Meeting of the International Association for Dental Research Asia Pacific Region, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 28-30 November 2019.
2018
Conference Publication
Prevalence of percutaneous exposure incidents among staff and students treating paediatric patients
Kan, Samantha, Ho, Vanessa and Zafar, Sobia (2018). Prevalence of percutaneous exposure incidents among staff and students treating paediatric patients. 58th Annual Scientific Meeting of the International Association for Dental Research ANZ Division, Perth, WA, Australia, 22-25 September 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
A survey to investigate the knowledge and management strategies of the paediatric dentists treating children on bisphosphonate
Lau, Jeremy, Ng, Lei and Zafar, Sobia (2018). A survey to investigate the knowledge and management strategies of the paediatric dentists treating children on bisphosphonate. 58th Annual Scientific Meeting of the International Association for Dental Research ANZ Division, Perth, WA, Australia, 22-25 September 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Prevalence of percutaneous exposure incidents among staff and students treating paediatric patients
Samantha, Kan, Vanessa, Ho and Sobia, Zafar (2018). Prevalence of percutaneous exposure incidents among staff and students treating paediatric patients. 58th Annual Scientific Meeting of the International Association for Dental Research ANZ Division, Perth, WA, Australia, 22-25 September 2018.
2017
Journal Article
Percutaneous exposure incidents: a review of practice and awareness of current protocols at a Dental Faculty
Siddiqi, A., K Niazi, M. I., De Silva, H., Firth, N., Konthasingha, P. and Zafar, S. (2017). Percutaneous exposure incidents: a review of practice and awareness of current protocols at a Dental Faculty. Oral Surgery, 10 (4), e80-e87. doi: 10.1111/ors.12282
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Sobia Zafar is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
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
Master Philosophy
The impact of oral piercings: an in vivo and in vitro study
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Laurence Walsh
-
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
-
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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