The College of Dentistry held the 2022 Research Day virtually on February 25 to showcase students’ oral health research projects. The event featured the 55th annual Frank M. Wentz Student Scientific Program and keynote speaker Dr. Jeffrey Ebersole, a professor and the associate dean for research at the University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Dental Medicine.
“Each year, our third-year dental students, fourth-year dental hygiene students and postgraduate students present the results of their original research projects,” said Amanda Dolen, an instructor in the department of dental hygiene and Research Day committee chair. “They work with faculty mentors, gaining insight into how they can help shape the future the oral health through research.”
Presentations covered topics from clinical and basic sciences to educational research. The top three presentations were honored in three categories — postgraduate, dental and dental hygiene.
POSTGRADUATE
First Place – Dr. Grace Moore
The Effect of Interproximal Home Regimens on Inflammatory Biomarkers in Periodontal Maintenance Patients
Mentor: Dr. Richard A. Reinhardt
In this video, Dr. Grace Moore talks about the importance of oral health research, how it felt to win, and thanks her faculty mentor.
Second Place – Drs. Arif Karim & Timothy Jernberg
Interleukin-6 Levels are Elevated in Saliva of Patients with Endodontic Disease
Mentor: Dr. Thomas Petro
Third Place – Drs. Jordan Castillo & Eric Phan
Formocresol Pulpotomy vs.Vitrebond Indirect Pulp Therapy: A 5-year Retrospective Study on Dental Rehabilitation Cases Completed Under General Anesthesia
Mentor: Dr. Bryan Skar
DENTAL
First Place – Heath Ketteler & Isaac Langan
Printer Variability and the Impact on Resin Physical Properties, An In Vitro Study
Mentor: Dr. Gregory Bennett
“We studied if different printing systems influence the physical properties of the final printed product. We just want to thank Dr. Bennett, Bobby Simitch, and Dr. Beatty for the invaluable help throughout the project. We learned that different printers can produce significantly different physical properties which has huge implications for the rapidly expanding 3D printer market.” – Health & Isaac
Second Place – Erin Farnham & Kirstan Hyser
The Role of DHHC13 in Desmosome Function and Its Effects on Cellular Adhesion
Mentor: Dr. James K Wahl III
Third Place – McCamey McKinley & Katelyn Smith
Dental Student Understanding of Medicaid at UNMC College of Dentistry
Mentor: Dr. Sarah Lowman
DENTAL HYGIENE
First Place – Jesi Adams & Kayla Bush
In Vitro Study Comparing the Effects of Chlorhexidine and Stellalife & VEGA Oral Care Rinse on S. mutans and S. salivrius
Mentor: Lisa Moravec
“Our dental hygiene research project compared the effectiveness between chlorhexidine and a homeopathic mouth rinse on the beneficial oral microbe, S. salivarious, and the pathogenic S. mutans. The knowledge we gained of the oral microbiome and product interactions will be invaluable to us as we navigate our careers as lifelong learners. We are exceedingly grateful for the mentorship received from Lisa Moravec, without whom receiving this award would not have been possible. We are also very grateful for the guidance and encouragement received from Dr. Thomas Petro. This award has meant a great deal to us both!” – Jesi & Kayla
Second Place – Kateralnada Mahdi & Brooke Lawson
Tooth Loss in Correlation with Neurodegenerative Disease: A Retrospective Study
Mentor: Dr. Shayla Yoachim
Third Place – Taylor Newell & Lexi Pettit
Teeth Whitening: An In Vitro Study Comparing Professional-Grade and Store-Bought Whitening Strips
Mentor: Dr. William Johnson