The 'Make It Happen @D3G Campaign' – 'MIH@D3G'

The 'Make It Happen @D3G Campaign' (MIH@D3G) was launched by D3G and partners in 2026 to, aiming to strengthen collective voice, actions, and social impact of the D3-chalky teeth movement. Our goal is to advance D3G's science-informed, prevention-focussed, translational mission through growing engagement, partnership and implementation worldwide. At centre stage is an evolving translational framework for MH & chalky teeth, which shifts attention from isolated clinical repair to global prevention. With this bold reconceptualisation now well established in collaboration with leading stakeholders, attention turns to broader engagement and refinement at larger scale. This is what we mean by "make it happen at D3G". In other words, it's now time to collectively grab the wonderful beginnings created by an eclectic bunch of creative pioneers, innovators and early adopters, and massively deliver on the remarkable promise for social good. D3G can't do this on its own – nor should it. As already baked into the D3-chalky teeth movement, more partnerships and joint ventures are required, reaching across the sector and around the globe. On a lighter note – and unsurprisingly given D3G's track record at "looking on the bright side of life" – we also confess to the campaign having a double entendre concerning another "MIH", whose modernisation we're particularly keen to "make it happen" too.

Why translational implementation matters

In the linear "science to social good" sense, science translation involves many stages – often these start with a scientific discovery, followed by various steps of development through to product or policy, then implementation and uptake at society level. Many other starting points exist – such as the need to modernise traditional concepts – leaving implementation as the key common factor for achieving social good. We refer to stakeholders involved in this last stage as "end translators". In our case, these implementation partners include professional organisations, industry, policymakers, governments, social impact investors and the public.

The 'MIH@D3G Projects'

To help get the "implementation ball" rolling, we invite constructive participation, from all quarters, in the following projects (contact us).

PROJECT 1: Universal standards for D3 reporting

A big problem surrounds today's lack of standardised reporting across the D3-chalky teeth domain. Readers of today's literature for MIH and other D3s – be it in academic, professional, industry, or media settings – face a terminological chaos that is damaging at multiple levels and ultimately erodes the social impact of D3 science. D3G is attacking this problem in multiple ways, including: (1) providing exemplars across academic and general contexts; (2) event-based education and advocacy; and (3) developing draft guidelines to foster engagement and consensus.

• Action 1: D3 Reporting Guidelines – see here

PROJECT 2: Translational peer review initiative

One massive advantage of a translational science approach is ready access to various stakeholders from across the sector. And when it comes to formalised reporting – particularly in academic contexts – peer review at translational level empowers the "conversion of science into social good" in ways unavailable to traditional peer reviewing (i.e. discipline-based). This groundbreaking initiative seeks to complement Project 1 by developing a translational peer review service that ultimately will be accessible to users from across the sector.

• Action 1: Translational Peer Initiative – see here

PROJECT 3: Resolving the "MIH modernisation dilemma"

Today, MIH remains a commonly used clinical term – warts and all – deeply embedded in teaching, clinical practice and the literature. However, D3G's participation at two international events in 2025 (Enamel 11, IAPD Cape Town) finally evoked a resounding (exasperated even?) call for action over the MIH community's apparent reluctance to "get with the times", terminologically and conceptually speaking. Concerns centred on the ongoing stream of "MIH" academic publications and conference presentations that failed to at least acknowledge the well-established scientific transition from traditional "MIH" to D3-era thinking – despite high-level adoption of the new translational paradigm in other quarters. Conversely, we also heard about pushback (aka "change resistance") faced by some "MIHers" seeking modernisation. When "MIH loyalists" explained their reluctance to change, the case for retaining MIH terminology proved uncompelling to science-leaning ears. At the Enamel 11 mini-symposium – a deliberately MIH-free, D3-lingo setting – many participants commented on how readily they made the switch. Given that these circumstances are two sides of the same coin – continued reliance on clinical tradition on one hand, and advancement of science translation on the other – we've dubbed it the "MIH modernisation dilemma". Read more about the delightful mechanics of paradigm shifting here.

Building from Projects 1 and 2, the publishing ecosystem (comprising writers, reviewers, editors, publishers, bibliographic services, and critical readers) was chosen as a sensible starting point for ameliorative actions. If authors, reviewers and editors are seen as joint culprits behind wayward MIH papers, a letter to the editor offers an efficient way to address all three parties simultaneously, while fostering future engagement with the journal.

• Action 1: Letter to the editor at EAPD journal – see below
• Action 2: Second letter to the editor – underway
• Action 3: Third letter to the editor – pending
• Action 4: Fourth letter to the editor – on the lookout, ideas welcomed!

Letter to the Editor, EAPD journal, 2026

Responding to a scoping review article about updating clinical terminology from the "MIH era" – which, without any reference to the D3-chalky teeth movement, concluded "it may be timely to reconsider the terminology currently in use and adopt a more inclusive one" – eight leading D3ers submitted a Letter on behalf of D3G that: (1) applauded this conclusion; (2) encouraged broader consideration beyond the authors' clinical viewpoint; and (3) invited participation in a cross-sector march towards universal adoption of the socially transformative new paradigm for MH and chalky teeth. A key publication (missing from the scoping review) was also cited.

> Download our manuscript (accepted for review)

> Download the EAPD article by Bandeira Lopes et al, 2026

Cross-sector contributions to, and support for, our Letter

To "practice what we preach", the Letter's authorship comprised two career scientists, five paediatric dentists – all researchers with academic roles, and two of whom serve as chief editors of leading dental journals – and a global health expert (also a paediatric dentist). Before submission, the Letter was internally peer reviewed by a further two career scientists, an oral health therapist, two paediatric dentist/researchers, a public health dentist, two medico-dental experts, an industry representative, and a publicised MH-affected family.

Following acceptance for publication, the D3 family was invited to "sign on" with their support of this Letter, as follows.

SIGN ON AND HAVE YOUR SAY

Since D3G's inception, we've been consolidating facts, ideals and opinions to produce our unique translational take on what will do most good for the world. So we want to hear what you think about this campaign for modernising MIH with a view to social good. Constructive comments, both for and against, are welcome from all quarters and any station.

For example:

• What do you think about this article, and the "MIH modernisation dilemma" more generally?
• Do you support the ideals behind our 'Make It Happen @D3G' campaign, or have other ideas for advancement?
• Are you happy that we've given "MIH" a new lease of life, built around translational science?