A summer exploring dental research

During the summer months, Schulich Medicine & Dentistry tends to be quiet; for the most part students are gone for the summer and the campus seems to stand still. However, on the lower ground floor of the Dental Sciences Building there is a hub of activity with Dentistry students taking part in clinical and basic sciences research being conducted at Schulich Dentistry.

Designed to promote exposure to dental research, each year the summer student research program supports select first, second and third year dentistry students, giving them an opportunity to work under faculty supervisors and participate in a variety of research projects.

"Dentistry is fundamentally based on science, so the students in the program get to see the science first-hand. They learn more about the science behind what we do," said Program Coordinator, Dr. Stephen Ferrier. "It's a super program for students on every level - they receive experience in research, communication and critical thinking, and the experience builds interest in the institution by exposure to our researchers."

This summer, 12 students took part in the competitive program, and worked on research projects ranging from comparing different types of glass fibre posts used for dental restoration, to working on bioactive cements, studying the effect of nanotopography on cells, and performing quality of life assessments, to the study of biologically derived substances that can inhibit unwanted calcification in the body.

"The program gave me a chance to become acquainted with some of the faculty members I will be working with in future years," said Matthew Kreher a first year dental student. "It is also great summer employment that was relevant to my field of interest and provided me the opportunity to learn new skills."

During the 12-week program, the students give two research presentations to faculty and participate in the poster presentations at the annual Dentistry Research Day ( taking place on October 9). The poster presentations will be judged, and the winners will receive Travel Awards to attend at national and international meetings, including the Canadian Dental Association Annual meeting, the Hinman Student Research Symposium in Memphis, Tennessee, and the American Dental Association Dental Student Conference on Research in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Students are also eligible to, and have been successful in, applying to CADR and CIHR for awards to travel to major international research conferences.

"I enjoyed giving the [required] research presentations," said Nicole Johnson, Class of 2015, who took part in this year's program. "It helped me hone my public speaking skills, and now I see that I might do well in a teaching position."

Established in the 1990's, the program has remained an important component of the educational and research mandate in Schulich Dentistry. During the past few years, the program has doubled in size, however there are many more student applications than funded positions.

"Exposure to research is a critically important component of Dental education and this program is making a significant contribution to the future of our students," said Dr. Ferrier. He explained that none of this would be possible without funding. Thanks to contributions from Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, Schulich Dentistry, The Ontario Dental Association, The Paul Sills Foundation, CIHR and the principle investigators themselves, the program has been able to continue to grow. "The program itself is student-focused, and I would have to believe that word of mouth is also contributing - there is something of a buzz about the place - why not see for yourself on research day!"

Above: This year's summer student research program funded 12, first, second and third year students all taking part in clinical and basic sciences research being performed in Schulich Dentistry.
Group shot: This year's summer student research program funded 12, first, second and third year students all taking part in clinical and basic sciences research being performed in Schulich Dentistry.