Summer Research Symposium celebrates learner investigation and discovery

The School of Dentistry celebrated young investigators with the AADOCR Minnesota Section Research Exchange and Summer Student Research Symposium on July 30, 2024.

The event brought together participants in the Summer Dental Research Fellowship Program and the Minnesota Craniofacial and Oral Health Research Experience, graduate students in oral biology and members of the Minnesota chapter of the American Association for Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research to celebrate accomplishments in research and share findings from summer projects.

“We’re excited to share our research with this community,” shared Kristin Artinger, PhD, Associate Dean of Research and Discovery.

Paul Klaiber, product specialist development and AADOCR chapter president, provided a welcome and introduction to the day. “This event has grown over time, but the reason we’re doing it has not changed,” he said. “We’re here to learn and discover more about the student practitioners and researchers who will be the future of AADOCR.”

The day began with the Minnesota Research Exchange, featuring presentations from AADOCR members.

Lyubov Slashcheva, DDS, MS, research director at Apple Tree Dental and incoming AADOCR Minnesota chapter president, shared her research on community partnerships and their role in health equity, particularly the ways in which Apple Tree Dental has acted as a research partner. She provided an overview of the clinic and its role in the community before discussing studies in which Apple Tree Dental has participated, including early treatment of periodontal disease and the implementation of dental therapists in a nursing home environment.

Jorge Perdigão, DMD, MS, PhD, professor of operative dentistry, provided an update to his clinical and lab research on restorative materials. “Our research focuses on materials and techniques that are used by dentists in their practice,” he explained. “These materials are not fully tested prior to launch, and the information released by manufacturers can be difficult for clinicians to understand, so our testing is important for them.”

Brad Rindal, DDS, of the HealthPartners Institute, and Diptee Ojha, BDS, MBA, PhD, of Scientia Principle Consulting LLC, shared an introduction to quality measures in dentistry. “When we talk about quality in health care, you have to remove yourself from the patient’s mouth and consider the overall picture of the population you serve,” explained Ojha, before identifying what makes for an effective quality measurement. Rindal then provided examples of quality measurement HealthPartners Institute pursues and how they have the potential to impact care.

Following a lunch break with group networking opportunities, the school showcased student research and expertise.

Learners in the Minnesota Craniofacial and Oral Health Research Experience (MnCORE), a 10-week summer research and career development program for undergraduate students interested in a future in oral health research, introduced themselves and shared a brief overview of their summer projects. Topics included 3D imaging, surface modified nanoparticles and the role of osteoclasts in tooth eruption. “This program includes students from across the country, and as you’ll see, they’re a talented bunch,” said Kim Mansky, PhD, professor and director of MnCORE and the Minnesota Craniofacial Research Training program, before introducing the eight fellows. “I’m so impressed with how much they’ve learned and all they’ve done this summer, and I know you will be too.”

DDS learners participating in the Summer Dental Research Fellowship Program shared their projects, which provide an opportunity for clinical learners to expand their horizons and explore research in a way their clinical curriculum alone does not.

Finally, members of the Graduate Program in Oral Biology participated in a 3-Minute Thesis competition, requiring them to condense their area of study into a presentation lasting no more than three minutes and featuring a single slide. Five learners in the PhD in Oral Biology or dual DDS/PhD program shared their expertise in areas including streptococcus bacteria, the regulation of calprotectin and solutions for oral cancer. Olanrewaju Ajeigbe, DDS, received the audience choice award for her presentation, “A Band-Aid for Oral Cancer.”

Throughout the day, members of the School of Dentistry community connected to share their excitement, engagement and expertise in oral biology, clinical research and more.