40th Annual Scientific Day
OKLAHOMA CITY -- The University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry held its 40th Annual Scientific Day on Tuesday, April 13. 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.
“Research is a key element in the mission of our college,” said Dr. Raymond A. Cohlmia, dean of the college. “The student research program fosters life-long learning that enhances the quality of oral health care. Our college is proud of student researchers and their efforts in shaping the future of dentistry.”
Sharukh Khajotia, B.D.S., MS, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Research, Professor and Division Head, described the comprehensive nature of 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 Student Research Program. This is true of undergraduate students working toward a Bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene as well,” said Dr. Khajotia. “The J. Dean Robertson Society, part of the OU Foundation, has sponsored the program for nearly three decades, in addition to support from the Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation for the past seven years. These organizations fund as many as 18 research projects annually.”
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, 13 essays were submitted. Those 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 Haley King, DH2
Dental Hygienists’ Knowledge and Usage of Probiotics in Dentistry
Second Place: $250 award goes to Maryllely Chavez, DH2
Tobacco Cessation: Dental Hygiene Attitudes, Knowledge, Intervention
Third Place: $100 award goes to Emma Brito, DH2
Prenatal Oral Health Education in Oklahoma
Dental Category:
First Place: $500 award goes to Philip Morton, DS2
Esterase Activity on Varying Formulations of Adhesive Resins
Second Place: $250 award goes to Elizabeth Jantz, DS2
Effect of Dental Bleaching with NF_TiO2 Nanoparticles
Third Place: $100 award goes to Caroline Graham, DS2
Comparison of Dimensional Changes and Fit of Occlusal Guard Materials
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, which required students to prepare a 7-minute video presentation that was scored by judges ahead of the event.
Below is a list of this year’s Poster Contest winners, followed by the title of their presentation, and the name of the award:
Philip Morton, DS2
Degree of Conversion and Surface Roughness of Experimental Adhesives
Dentsply Sirona - AADR Trip (Atlanta GA)
Vanessa Smith, DH2
That’s Shocking! Electrical Stimulation for Treatment of Xerostomia
Student American Dental Hygiene Association - $1000
Elizabeth Jantz, DS2
Effects of Dental Bleaching with NF_TiO2 Nanoparticles
Delta Dental of Oklahoma - $500
Emily Hackney, DH2
Oral Manifestations: Sjögren’s Syndrome/ Related Autoimmune Diseases
Delta Dental of Oklahoma - $500
Dr. Danielle Nici
Esthetic Crown Lengthening: Treatment of Altered Passive Eruption
Omicron Kappa Upsilon Probst-Felton Award - $500
Emily Hood, DH2
Prevention Strategies for Early Childhood Caries
Oklahoma Association of Women Dentists - $500
Jacy Duff, DH2
Is Floss the Boss?
Student American Dental Hygiene Association - $500
Madelyn Sandlin, DH2
Oral Health in the Geriatric Population
Dr. and Mrs. Don Ishmael Dental Hygiene Research Award - $400
Kailene Dotson, DH2
Adverse Oral Effects of Methamphetamine Use
Dr. and Mrs. Don Ishmael Dental Hygiene Research Award - $400
Tristen Flanagan, DH2
Use of Vitamin D in Periodontal Inflammation
Donald L. Mitchell Excellence in Prosthodontics - $300
Julia Bagley, DH2
Evaluating the Management of the Gag Reflex in Dentistry
Donald L. Mitchell Excellence in Prosthodontics - $300
Dr. Nasim Lasemi
Root Resorption: Diagnosis, Etiology, and Treatment Choices
Michael D. Rohrer Fund - $300
Alison Agee, DS3 and Alex Kirkpatrick, DS3
Oklahoma Children’s First Dental Visit: A Physician’s Perspective
Dean L. Johnson Excellence in Prosthodontics - $300
Caroline Graham, DS2
Comparison of Dimensional Changes and Fit of Occlusal Guard Materials
Oklahoma Section of the American College of Prosthodontists - $300
Dayleigh Reid, DH2
Non-nutritive Sucking Habits and the Developing Dentition
Western Oklahoma Dental Hygienists Society - $300
Lauren Miller, DH2
The Effects of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Dental Professionals
Colgate - $250
Jayme Quillin, DH2
Screening for Obstructive Sleep Apnea: Role of the Dental Hygienist
Colgate - $250
Isabelle Blankenbaker, DH2
Dental Hygienists Experience with Medical Screenings in Dentistry
Student American Dental Hygiene Association - $250
Mayan Sanchez-Duarte, DH2
Investigating Effects & Prevention of Parafunctional Habits
Student American Dental Hygiene Association - $250
Dr. Lanre Meeks
Palatally-impacted Canines: Surgical Techniques
Oklahoma Society of Periodontists - $250
Haley King, DH2
Dental Hygienists’ Knowledge and Usage of Probiotics in Dentistry
Oklahoma Dental Hygienists' Association - $250
Morgane Curtis, DH2
Applications for Botox in Dentistry
Oklahoma County Dental Hygienist Society - $250
Chelsea Dyer, DH2
Molars and Memory: The Link Between Mastication and Cognition
Burkhart Dental Supply Company - $250 as Gift Card
Denise Ramirez, DH2
CBD: Oral Health Effects
Burkhart Dental Supply Company - $250 as Gift Card
Dr. Amanda Akkari and Dr. Katherine Gamble
Establishing Treatment Options for Xerostomia
Oklahoma Dental Association - $200
Katie Thompson, DH2
Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy
Western Oklahoma Dental Hygienists Society - $200
Allie Rhinehart, DH2
Breast Cancer and the Oral Cavity
Staples Society - $200
Bethanie Gray, DH2
The Dental Hygienist’s Role in Nutritional Counseling
Staples Society - $200
Dr. Graham Shadwick and Dr. Nicholas Chaney
Photography in Dentistry
Oklahoma Academy of General Dentistry - $200
Dr. Jade Nix and Dr. Kaylee Speer
The Uses of Botulinum Toxin in Dentistry
Oklahoma County Dental Society - $200
Haley King, DH2
Dental Hygienists’ Knowledge and Usage of Probiotics in Dentistry
Student Council (Student Choice Award) - $100
Alison Agee, DS3 and Alex Kirkpatrick, DS3
Oklahoma Children’s First Dental Visit: A Physician’s Perspective
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 60 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.