On 26 March 2025, Peninsula Dental School, University of Plymouth, proudly hosted its 2nd Student Scientific Conference, a vibrant celebration of research, curiosity, and collaboration. This event forms a key component of our revised research curriculum and reflects the School's strong commitment to fostering academic inquiry among students.

figure 1

The structured research pathway guides BDS students from Year 1 to 5 and DTH students from Year 1 to 3, allowing them to progressively ascend the evidence pyramid. It begins with foundational knowledge of study designs in the early years and culminates in the critical appraisal of systematic reviews and clinical practice guidelines. At the centre of this journey, Year 3 provides both BDS and DTH students with the opportunity to conduct a scoping review, offering hands on experience in research methodology and evidence synthesis.

All changes to the research curriculum align with the Safe Practitioner Framework, which places strong emphasis on evidence-based practice, while also promoting the development of teamwork and collaborative skills among our future dental professionals. The conference provided an ideal platform for students to demonstrate all these competencies in action.

This year, 12 student groups, eight BDS and four DTH, presented the findings from six months of dedicated work. Supported by faculty supervisors Dr Sumanth Kumbargere, Dr Prashanti Eachempati, Ms Lorna Burns, and Mr Chris Johns, with expert advice from Professor Mona Nasser, students explored a diverse range of timely and relevant dental topics. This year, the Scientific Conference featured scoping review topics that highlight emerging technologies and address the oral health needs of vulnerable populations. Key areas of exploration included the use of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for managing pain associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in dentistry, particularly in diagnosing caries and periodontitis, as well as in treatment planning. In addition to technological advancements, several groups examined oral health in medically compromised or neurologically affected populations. These included studies on oral parafunction and its management in patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the impact of diabetes mellitus on oral health, effective communication strategies for delivering oral hygiene advice to patients with Parkinson's disease, and the role of maternal periodontitis in influencing foetal development. Each group delivered a ten-minute presentation, followed by a lively Q&A session with a distinguished panel of judges. The panel included guest judge Ms Heather Lewis, Editor of the British Society of Dental Hygiene & Therapy's Dental Health, as well as Professor Sally Hanks, Associate Dean for Education and Student Experience, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth. They were joined by senior academic and clinical staff from the Peninsula Dental School: Professor Catherine Coelho, Dr Guy Lambourn, Ms Alison Brown, Dr Safiya Robinson, and Dr Casper Jonker.

The judges' insightful questions and thoughtful feedback created an engaging academic atmosphere, encouraging students to reflect on their findings and refine their communication of evidence.

Prizes were awarded to the top three groups in recognition of academic excellence. In addition, separate awards were presented for Outstanding Poster and Best Group Presentation, celebrating excellence in visual communication and presentation skills. More than a competition, the conference served as a showcase of perseverance, teamwork, and the power of applied learning.

The vibrant energy captured in the photographs is a true reflection of the passion, enthusiasm, and determination displayed by our students. As these future dental professionals continue their academic journeys, the Student Scientific Conference will remain a memorable and inspiring milestone - one that celebrates the spirit of inquiry and the pursuit of knowledge.

Here are the topics investigated by the students along with the corresponding research questions they addressed:

BDS Group 1: ‘Zap! and the pain is gone?' Low-Level Laser Therapy on Pain Management for TMJ Disorders: A Scoping Review

Research questions:

  • What types of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) are available for use in treating orofacial pain caused by temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJDs)?

  • How can the parameters of LLLT be adapted for pain management of TMJDs?

  • What are the various TMJ disorders that have been treated with LLLT?

  • What are the experiences of patients undergoing LLLT?

BDS Group 2: Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry: A Scoping Review of its Applications in Diagnosing Caries and Periodontitis

Research questions:

  • What are the mechanisms by which artificial intelligence (AI) is able to diagnose caries and periodontitis using radiographs and intra-oral photographs?

  • How prevalent is AI's application in diagnosing caries and periodontal disease?

  • How ready are these AI models for widespread use in dental clinics?

  • What are the barriers to AI's use in diagnostics, radiographic reporting, and caries detection?

BDS Group 3: Oral Parafunction and its Management in ADHD Patients: A Scoping Review

Research questions:

  • What are the parafunctional habits commonly experienced by patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?

  • What are the consequences of these oral parafunctional habits in ADHD patients?

  • What are the types of management techniques for these oral parafunctional habits in ADHD patients?

  • What are the benefits and limitations of these oral parafunctional habit management techniques?

BDS Group 4: Investigating the Environmental Impact of Improper Waste Disposal in the Dental Surgery: A Scoping Review

Research questions:

  • Which guidelines in the UK cover sustainable and environmentally friendly dental waste disposal?

  • What are the various environmental impacts identified due to dental waste disposal?

  • What are examples of sustainable and non-polluting waste disposal practices used in the UK?

BDS Group 5: Artificial Intelligence in Dentistry: A Scoping Review of its Applications in Treatment Planning

Research questions:

  • What are the available AI tools that can aid in dental treatment planning?

  • What are the potential uses of artificial intelligence in treatment planning in dentistry?

  • What are the challenges in applying AI to plan dental treatment?

BDS Group 6: Impact on Oral Health in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus - A Scoping Review

Research questions:

  • What is the possible association between oral health and diabetes?

  • Is there current data to suggest that poor oral hygiene affects the symptoms and complications of diabetes?

  • Is there specific oral hygiene advice tailored for diabetic patients in the literature?

BDS Group 7: Augmented Reality Applications in Orthodontic Dentistry - A Scoping Review

Research questions:

  • What are the different applications of augmented reality (AR) in orthodontic practice?

  • How is AR used in conjunction with other technologies to assist in orthodontic procedures and orthognathic surgeries?

  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of AR in orthodontics?

  • How has AR been integrated into orthodontic workflows for both students and professionals?

  • What are the future challenges of AR within orthodontics?

BDS Group 8: Oral Health & Epilepsy: A Scoping Review of Associated Conditions and Dental Management Approaches

Research questions:

  • What strategies and considerations should dental professionals implement when managing patients with epilepsy in a clinical setting?

  • What oral health conditions are commonly associated with patients diagnosed with epilepsy?

DTH Group A: Tooth Regeneration Using Synthetic Materials - A Scoping Review

Research questions:

  • What are the current synthetic methods of tooth regeneration and their associated properties?

  • Which synthetic materials produce more tertiary dentine?

  • What is the mechanism of action by which synthetic regenerative materials generate tertiary dentine?

  • Which material has reported the greatest percentage increase in dentinal thickness?

DTH Group B: Barriers Faced When Implementing Sustainable Practices in Dentistry - A Scoping Review

Research questions:

  • What are the sustainable practices in dentistry globally?

  • What are the sustainable practices in dentistry specific to the UK?

  • What are the barriers to recycling in dentistry globally?

  • What are the barriers to recycling in dentistry specific to the UK?

DTH Group C: Delivering Oral Hygiene Advice to Patients with Parkinson's Disease within Dental Settings - A Scoping Review

Research questions:

  • What are the current practices and evidence-based approaches used in delivering oral hygiene advice to patients with Parkinson's disease (PwP) in dental settings?

  • What is the justification behind delivering oral hygiene advice to PwP?

  • What are the barriers faced by dental healthcare providers and PwP regarding the advice currently being provided?

DTH Group D: Role of Maternal Periodontitis on Foetal Development: A Scoping Review

Research questions:

  • What are the oral health conditions during pregnancy beyond periodontal disease?

  • How does maternal periodontitis affect the foetus?

  • What are the different foetal disorders that are associated with maternal periodontitis?