41st Annual Scientific Day
OKLAHOMA CITY -- The University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry held its 41th Annual Scientific Day on Tuesday, April 12. Scientific Day is an event where dental students, dental hygiene students, residents and graduate students present findings from their research projects or describe new and innovative clinical techniques.
Sharukh Khajotia, B.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., Associate Dean for Research and Innovation, and Professor of Dental Biomaterials, described research being conducted by students as well as faculty members at the college. “Students in the Doctor of Dental Surgery program can choose to participate in the annual Student Research Program, and undergraduate students working toward a Bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene can choose to participate in the program too,” said Dr. Khajotia. “We are fortunate to receive tremendous support from the J. Dean Robertson Society of the OU Foundation, Inc. and the Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation, both of whom have sponsored Scientific Day for many years and also fund dental and graduate students’ research projects.”
Ishmael Essay Contest
Established in 1987 by Dr. and Mrs. Don Ishmael, the Ishmael Essay Contest is an integral part of Scientific Day. Dr. Ishmael was an advocate of scholarship and professionalism and provided the funding to provide a cash award to the top scholarly essays each year. This year, the essays were then narrowed down to six semi-finalists to give an oral presentation.
Below is a list of this year’s Ishmael Essay Contest winners, followed by the title of their presentation:
Dental Hygiene Category:
First Place: $500 award goes to Emily Forthum, DH2
A Retrospective Study of Peri-Implantitis By Record Analysis
Second Place: $250 award goes to Anna Boucher, DH2
Oklahoma Dental Professionals’ Inclusion of Botox In Dentistry
Third Place: $100 award goes to Mackenzie Michelsen, DH2
Job Satisfaction Among Dental Professionals
Dental Category:
First Place: $500 award goes to Nichole Musick, DS2
Bleaching Efficacy of Hydrogen Peroxide With Metaloxide Nanoparticles
Second Place: $250 award goes to Jack Koszykowshi, DS2
Esterase Immersion Alters Adhesive Resins’ Composition After 30 Days
Third Place: $100 award goes to Caroline Graham, DS3
Diagnostic Accuracy of Digital Image Enhancement In Caries Detection
Poster Contest
In addition to the Ishmael Essay Contest, student researchers are required to present their research findings in a poster format at Scientific Day. On average, sixty posters are presented at Scientific Day each year. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s event was virtual.
Below is a list of this year’s Poster Contest winners, followed by the title of their presentation, and the name of the award:
Caroline Graham, DS3
Diagnostic accuracy of digital image enhancement in caries detection
Dentsply Sirona - AADOCR Trip (Portland OR)
Kali Sanders, DH2
The effects of cannabis use on oral health
Student American Dental Hygiene Association - $1000
Shaniah Green, DH2
Use of platelet-rich products in dentistry
Student American Dental Hygiene Association - $500
Trista Wright, DH2
Non-pharmacological interventions to reduce dental anxiety
Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation - $500
Philip Morton, DS3
Esterase alteration of biofilms on experimental adhesive resins
Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation - $500
Dr. Danielle Nici
Radiographic assessment of inter-root distance: a comparison study
Oklahoma Orthodontics Society - $500
Dr. Shiyamali Sundararajan
Atypical case of periodontitis - Evaluation, diagnosis, and therapy
Omicron Kappa Upsilon Probst-Felton Award - $500
Victoria Rosko, DH2
Oral effects of depression
Dr. and Mrs. Don Ishmael Dental Hygiene Research Award - $400
Vicky Lor, DH2
Asthma and oral health considerations
Dr. and Mrs. Don Ishmael Dental Hygiene Research Award - $400
Dr. Katherine Gamble and Dr. Edith Lu
Analyzing design and material options for FP-3 dentures
Oklahoma Section of the American College of Prosthodontists - $400
Jack Koszykowski, DS2
Esterase immersion alters adhesive resins’ composition after 30 days
Donald L. Mitchell Excellence in Prosthodontics - $300
Faith Jo, DH2
Sensory interventions on reducing dental anxiety
Oklahoma Association of Women Dentists - $300
Dr. Frank Kajiwara
Bone block grafts
Michael D. Rohrer Fund - $300
Dr. Olanrewaju Meeks
Prevalence and severity of periodontitis in thyroid disease patients
Oklahoma Dental Association - $300
Krystin Meyer, DH2
Laser therapy used by dental hygienists
Student American Dental Hygiene Association - $250
Krystal Hernandez, DH2
Impacts of cultural and language disparities in dental care
Student American Dental Hygiene Association - $250
Dr. Nasim Lasemi
Alveolar ridge expansion by osseodensification: A case series
Oklahoma Society of Periodontists - $250
Meagan Hoover, DH2
The oral effects of xanthine
Oklahoma Society of Periodontists - $250
Cindy Nguyen, DH2
Health related conditions of RDH’s and current interventions
Oklahoma Society of Periodontists - $250
Imelda Virgen, DH2
Variables dental hygienists face and its impact on the underserved
Oklahoma Society of Periodontists - $250
Elizabeth Bullard, DH2
The importance of oral health care in long-term care facilities
Oklahoma Dental Hygienists' Association - $250
Riley Selcer, DH2
The effects of chemotherapy on the oral cavity
Oklahoma County Dental Hygienist Society - $250
Lindsey Garrett, DH2
The benefits of orofacial myofunctional therapy
Donald L. Mitchell Excellence in Prosthodontics - $200
Hunter Stephens, DS2
Effects of solvent evaporation time on degree of conversion
Staples Society - $200
Kylie Meazell, DH2
Dental anxiety: Contributing factors and clinical management techniques
Staples Society - $200
Dr. Ana Ruzo and Dr. Meredith Turbeville
The dangers of occupational noise exposure in dentistry
Oklahoma Academy of General Dentistry - $200
Kiley Warren, DH2
Oral health and the pregnant patient
Western Oklahoma Dental Hygienists Society - $200
Nichole Musick, DS2
Bleaching efficacy of hydrogen peroxide with metaloxide nanoparticles
American Student Dental Association - $100
Dr. Sandra Perozo-Vazquez
Morphological and chemical characterization of dentin grafts
Oklahoma County Dental Society - $100
Emily Forthun, DH2
A retrospective study of peri-implantitis by record analysis
Student Council (Student Choice Award) - $100
Caroline Graham, DS3
Diagnostic accuracy of digital image enhancement in caries detection
Student Council (Student Choice Award) - $100
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COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY
The OU College of Dentistry is home to the state’s only doctor of dental surgery program and baccalaureate degree program in dental hygiene. More than 70 percent of the state of Oklahoma’s dentists are graduates of the OU College of Dentistry. The college provides general dental care and specialty care to Oklahomans through student, resident and faculty practice clinics. The OU College of Dentistry has established a reputation of training its students to provide the highest quality of clinical care available.