Since its inception in 1959, the SCADA program has inspired students to appreciate the value of dental research and provided them with opportunities to enhance their research skills through hands-on and mentorship. Competitors will join the SCADA Alumni Association, a group of distinguished individuals representing their respective schools and national programs.
Alumni will benefit from this global network connecting students, dental schools, researchers and clinicians around the world. Dentsply Sirona is proud to have supported the SCADA program since the inaugural competition.
The award was established to support dental scientists, including SCADA program alumni, in their research careers. The immediate goal of the award is to support early dental scientists such as postdoctoral scholars and non-tenured faculty, and the long-term goal is to increase the number of dental scientists funded in the field of dental, oral and craniofacial (DOC) biology who hold higher positions in science and academia.
The award is intended to support the academic and scientific development of dental scientists, helping them develop independent research careers or explore new areas of research. The winner will receive up to $10,000 to support their research, establish research infrastructure, complete a research project or prepare research for publication.
Under the terms of the award, the recipient must submit a report describing the results or progress made as a result of the award within 12 months of receiving the funding.
Dentsply Sirona is committed to advancing oral health care through innovation and discovery, said Dr. Rainer Seemann, Chief Clinical Officer at Dentsply Sirona.
By supporting academic and independent dental research, we empower the next generation of dental professionals to explore new frontiers in oral health, ultimately improving outcomes for patients worldwide.”
Dr. Effie Ioannidou, President of AADOCR, said: “The new award introduces a stable source of funding for dental scientists and is another example of the support of AADOCR, its partners and the SCADA Alumni Association for research in dentistry, oral and/or craniofacial biology.”
Applicants will be evaluated by a nine-member ad hoc committee comprised of four former SCADA Board members and five IADR/AADOCR members.
Judging will be based on academic excellence, project quality and originality, active commitment to the DOC research enterprise, and personal needs related to challenges and/or barriers in an academic career. The application deadline is July 1, 2025.
The first winner of this new award will be formally announced in 2026 at the AADOCR Annual Meeting and SCADA Awards Ceremony in San Diego, California. The award is generously donated by the SCADA Alumni Association and AADOCR.
This program also reflects Dentsply Sirona’s commitment to “Beyond: Acting for a Better World,” the company’s sustainability strategy, which includes supporting the next generation of dental professionals.
The future of the dental industry relies on continued investment in education, innovation and mentorship to empower emerging talent and shape the future of oral health worldwide.
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