SIUE School of Dental Medicine’s Research Day Welcomed Keynote Speaker on Dental and Craniofacial Research from National Institutes of Health

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville's School of Dental Medicine (SIU SDM) held its 2024 Research Day, featuring a keynote speaker from the National Institutes of Health and the annual student table clinic competition. This year's student winner presented a Retrospective Study to Evaluate Survival of Single Versus Multi-Unit Implant-Supported Prostheses.

"Research Day was a testament to our unified spirit, going beyond academic achievement. Beginning with the short talk series, exhibiting the faculty and students' table clinics, and culminating in the prestigious presence of NIH NIDCR's Dr. Webster-Cyriaque, the day resonated with team effort and purpose," said M. Nathalia Garcia, DDS, MS, professor, chair of Applied Dental Medicine and section head of Periodontics."The success of our Research Day reflected the collaborative spirit of our dental school. From dedicated faculty mentors to passionate student researchers, supported by vital sponsorship from the school administration, we've showcased groundbreaking initiatives poised to shape the future of oral health impacting our SIU SDM community."

Keynote speaker Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque, DDS, PhD, deputy director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, presented on the topic "Research Pathways to Oral Health for All." Webster-Cyriaque's insight revealed the many opportunities throughout the country to solve significant oral health issues through dental research.

"It was an honor to welcome Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque as our keynote speaker," said Garcia. "She not only unveiled national research trends and key initiatives and collaboration opportunities, but sparked a collective sense of purpose, inspiring students, and faculty to delve into dental, oral, and craniofacial research with renewed vigor."

Following the presentation by Dr. Webster-Cyriaque, student research took center stage. Several SDM students competed in the annual student table clinic competition. Amira El-Daibani, an international student who will graduate with her DMD in June, earned first place overall in the competition. Nick Yuhas and Emily Collins, both second year students, earned second and third place, respectively.

These three winners will be extended invitations to present at the 2025 American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research/ Canadian Association for Dental Research(AADOCR/CADR) Annual Meeting in New York, NY, and the Hinman Student Research Symposium at University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, TN.

Garcia added, "Through our annual table clinics, our students and faculty proudly exhibited their tireless dedication, while reflecting on the research endeavors within our community; each presentation was a demonstration of perseverance, hard work, and success. These showcases not only spotlighted individual achievements but also represented the collective commitment to collaborative research within our institution. The student competition wasn't merely an event; it was a proud affirmation of our unified pursuit to elevate dental, oral, and craniofacial research for the benefit of our profession."

Tim Schwartz, DDS,and Gary Fischer, DMD,from the Illinois State Dental Society Foundation, as well as Isabel Gay, DDS, MS,Andres Davila, DMD,and Donald Reed, MS,from the School's faculty, in the student table clinic competition served as the judges for the competition.

During Research Day this year SIU SDM honored Charles Hildebolt, DDS, PhD,who passed away in March. Hildebolt served on the SIU SDM faculty for many years and was instrumental in developing and elevating the research of many faculty and students demonstrating his work ethic, passion and knowledge in oral, craniofacial, and dental research.

PHOTOS: Saulius E. Drukteinis, DMD, MS, PhD, professor and Dean of SIU SDM, keynote speaker Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque, DDS, PhD, deputy director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institutes of Health, M. Nathalia Garcia, DDS, MS, professor, chair of Applied Dental Medicine, section head of Periodontics; Amira El-Daibani, DMD candidate and first place overall in student competition

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.