The Canadian Society for Disability and Oral Health (CSDH) held its inaugural Student Essay Contest in Fall 2025. Open to all students in oral health or related fields who are also CSDH student members, the essays aim to address situations where barriers to oral health care exist for people living with disabilities and to propose solutions to remove barriers and improve access. Three essays were selected for recognition and presented with their awards in January 2026: • First Place—Bridging the Gaps in Down Syndrome Care: Clinical, Orthodontic, and Bioethical Perspectives, Dr. Arezoo Ensafi, graduate orthodontic resident, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University • Honourable Mention—A Dental Student’s Investigation into Disability and Dental Care Accessibility, Sophia Kim, 4th Year dental student, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University • Honourable Mention—Autistic Masking and Unmasking: A Person-Centered Approach to Oral Healthcare, Emily-Marie Roberts, postgraduate student, Mike Petryk School of Dentistry, University of Alberta CSDH is a volunteer-driven, not-for-profit organization advocating for equitable access to oral health care for people living with disabilities. CSDH members include dentists and dental specialists, dental hygienists, researchers, educators, students and disability advocates. The essays can all be viewed on the CSDH website: csdh.ca/essays Recognizing Excellence in Disability Scholarship (L. to r.) Dr. Drew Smith, faculty advisor, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University; Dr. Arezoo Ensafi, 1st place winner; Dr. Carlos Quinonez, director, Schulich School of Dentistry, Western University. (L. to r.) Emily-Marie Roberts, honourable mention; Dr. Cheryl Arntson, associate professor, Mike Petryk School of Dentistry, University of Alberta. (L.to r.) Dr. Smith; Sophia Kim, honourable mention; Dr. Quinonez. 22 | 2026 | Issue 3
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