RDH is honored to open submissions for the 4th RDH Student Research Awards. The awards will recognize the contributions of senior dental hygiene students and their presentations of current research projects (including table clinics and capstone projects). Awards will be presented for three categories: Original Research, Informational Research and Research Paper. Poster only submissions will be virtually recorded presentations with a submission deadline of April 30, 2025.

Research Papers only need to be submitted as a PDF by April 30, 2025. RDH will announce the recipients of the awards on May 2025. 

All submissions (except the Research Paper) will be virtually recorded presentations with a submission deadline of April 30, 2025. RDH will announce the recipients of the awards in May 2025.

Original Research posters will summarize an original research project. Original Research Poster Guidelines. 

Informational Research posters will provide an analysis of published concepts and trends that impact the profession. Informational Poster Guidelines.

A research report is an in-depth report on a specific topic. The report will present a problem and then provide a solution through documented proven research, assisting the reader in making an educated decision. Content will be approx. 1500-2000 words (not including references) based on cited research. A defined introduction, findings, action, and conclusion. The content will be graded on purpose, defined sources for the solution, and clarity of message. Research Paper Guidelines.

This awards program will consider the posters and papers submitted and will be assessed via a rubric system. Original Poster Research Rubric. Informational Poster Rubric, Research Paper Rubric. 

Awards will be given for each category.  A maximum of 25 submissions per category will be permitted. Rules and Regulations.

Who is eligible?

Entrants must be enrolled in an accredited U.S. dental hygiene program and in their senior year. All presenters must be students at the time of the application deadline to participate. A maximum of two presenters are allowed for each poster presentation and one is allowed to submit for the research paper. For groups with more than one presenter, costs for travel to UOR will only be covered for one presenter. Presenters must have been directly involved in conducting the information study presented.

A maximum of 1 submission per category may be submitted by each U.S. dental hygiene program.

How can you submit your poster or paper?

The link to submission page will be open from January 1, 2025 to April 30, 2025.

*Submissions must be in PPT format or PDF of poster.

*Submissions for Research Paper must be in .pdf format only.

What is the selection process?

All submissions will be judged by a panel of appointed experts and evaluated with a rubric system. Original Research Poster Rubric and Informational Poster Rubric and Research Paper Rubric. The top three scoring recipients in each category will be notified by the end of May 2025 as well as the winner of the Research paper.