Celebrating the Next Generation of Dental Researchers For more than 50 years, the CDA/Dentsply Sirona Student Clinician Research Program has provided a national platform for Canadian dental students to showcase their research, exchange ideas and contribute to the future of oral health care. Organized by CDA and generously sponsored by Dentsply Sirona Canada and the Pierre Fauchard Academy (PFA), the program offers a unique opportunity for one undergraduate dental student from each of Canada’s 10 dental schools to participate in a national research competition. This year’s event took place at the CDA/Manitoba Dental Association convention in Winnipeg on April 17. The student researchers presented and discussed their work before a panel of qualified judges and convention attendees. Following their presentations to the judges, the students had the opportunity to display their research posters in the convention hall. “I’ve always enjoyed meeting the students and watching their excellent presentations,” says Dr. Heather Carr, PFA, Canadian Trustee. “It is my hope that more members of the profession will see their presentations, and I was pleased to see them present on the exhibit floor at the CDA/MDA convention. They are certainly informative and present unique perspectives on current research and issues in our profession.” The experience highlights scientific achievement, but also strengthens the student researchers’ communication skills, professional confidence and commitment to advancing oral health care through research. “The student clinician program has always been one of my favourite events at the annual conventions,” says Dr. Daron Baxter of Dauphin, Manotiba, a CDA Board member who served as a competition judge for the first time this year. “I was so impressed by the calibre of research by our future colleagues in the profession.” 15 Issue 3 | 2026 |
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