IDM Global Oral Health Progress Award presented to Dr. Dr. Lür Köper

Dec 21, 2024

The IDM Global Oral Health Progress Award has been presented annually since 2016. With this award, the global manufacturers’ association IDM (International Dental Manufactures) recognises outstanding achievements in the promotion of oral health worldwide. After the USA, Australia and India, the award has now been presented to Germany: The IDM General Assembly voted unanimously in favour of the Bremen oral and maxillofacial surgeon Dr. Dr. Lür Köper. 

He has been volunteering for the Mercy Ships hospital ships for over 30 years. Olaf Sauerbier, IDM-President Elect and also FIDE-President (The Federation of the European Dental Industry), presented the award winner with the certificate shortly before Christmas at the Cuxhaven headquarters of Voco GmbH, of which Olaf Sauerbier is Managing Director.

“When someone uses their profession so selflessly and with so much passion for the weakest of the weak, it is more than exemplary. It’s a life’s work,” says Olaf Sauerbier, who suggested the award winner to IDM. 

Dr. Dr. Lür Köper has performed over 560 operations in countries such as Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ghana, Benin and Togo. In addition to war injuries and tumours, he has also treated malformations in cleft jaws and palates or operated on temporomandibular joint cases. Even after his active time on the ship the recipient of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany continues to work for Mercy Ships: He gives lectures, acquires donations and employees and is still on the board. His prize money of 1,500 US dollars will also be donated to the work of Mercy Ships.

“I wouldn’t want to miss a day on the ship,” reported Dr. Dr. Lür Köper. And even though he no longer operates on the ship, he can’t let go completely: the passionate specialist dentist still works in the practice of his friend Ole Larsen in Bremervörde.

Larsen, along with Angelika Nieder, Chairwoman of Mercy Ships, and Dr Knut Thedens, Vice-President of the Bremen Dental Association, came to Cuxhaven to honour Dr. Dr. Lür Köper.

Presentation of the certificate: Dentist Ole Larsen, the Chairwoman of Mercy Ships Germany Angelika Nieder, award winner Dr. Dr. Lür Köper, IDM-President Elect Olaf Sauerbier, and Vice President of the Bremen Dental Association Dr Knut Thedens (from left)