NEWS
OKLAHOMA CITY – The University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry held its 44th Annual Scientific Day on Thursday, March 27. This event offers dental and dental hygiene students and residents the opportunity to present the culmination of their research projects. Faculty and area dentists and hygienists also attended, allowing students and residents to network and meet future colleagues.
"Scientific Day is a celebration of discovery, innovation and mentorship," said Sharukh Khajotia, B.D.S., M.D.S., Ph.D., associate dean for research and innovation. Our Doctor of Dental Surgery and Dental Hygiene students engage in rigorous research over a nine-month period, guided by dedicated faculty mentors. This hands-on experience not only enhances their clinical knowledge but also contributes to advancements in dental, oral and craniofacial sciences. We deeply appreciate the unwavering support of the J. Dean Robertson Society and the Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation in fostering research and academic excellence."
The keynote speaker for the event was Vineet Dhar, B.D.S., M.D.S., Ph.D., who holds multiple positions at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, including clinical professor, chair of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, and assistant dean of postgraduate and professional studies. He also currently serves as the director of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry. Dhar introduced the audience to evidence-based dentistry, covering appraisal techniques for evaluating research findings and sharing insights into assessing levels of evidence. His presentation helped attendees understand evidence-based dentistry, integrate evidence into treatment decisions, and provided resources for continuing professional development in this area.
Students also received recognitions including the Dentsply Sirona Student Clinician Research Program, which awards the highest-ranked dental student poster. This award sponsors the recipient’s attendance to the 2026 American Association for Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research conference.
“Participating in Scientific Day was incredibly beneficial to my educational career as a dental student,” said Landen Keffer, 2024 recipient of the highest-ranked dental student poster. “It has provided me an opportunity to network with other researchers, engage in discussion across disciplines, and has deepened my analytical skills essential for diagnosing and treating patients effectively.”
Trenton McAreavey, DS3, was the recipient of the 2025 Dentsply Sirona Student Clinician Research Program.
Also awarded at Scientific Day were the Ishmael Essay Contest awards. Established in 1987 by Dr. and Mrs. Don Ishmael, this contest provides the funding for cash awards to the top scholarly essays by dental students and dental hygiene students each year.
Sara Jarjoura, DS2, and Jaclyn Miller, DH2, were the 2025 first-place award recipients of the Ishmael Essay Contest in the dental student and dental hygiene student categories, respectively.
Congratulations to all the award recipients and participants for the 2025 College of Dentistry Scientific Day
“Scientific Day fosters the idea that the field of dentistry is ever-changing and that a career in this profession requires a commitment to being a lifelong learner,” said Keffer.
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.
Three University of Oklahoma graduate students have been named winners of the 2025 Three Minute Thesis competition, which challenges participants to explain their research in three minutes to a non-specialist audience.
Sarah Sharif, a researcher with the University of Oklahoma, has been awarded funding from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to create innovative light detectors that pick up mid-wave and long-wave infrared signals at higher temperatures than previously considered achievable.
A team from OU and WVU recently earned a five-year, $3.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study how concept cigarillos influence the potential for addiction. The results will be used to inform the FDA’s impending flavor ban on cigar products and could have wider-reaching implications for other tobacco products that come in flavors, such as e-cigarettes and tobacco-free nicotine pouches.
