The awards programme was set up by 3M ESPE as part of its bid to invest in the future of dentistry by recognising pioneering, innovative and high-achieving dental university students from across the UK and Ireland.
The finalists were invited to join leading figures in UK and Irish dentistry at a dedicated awards ceremony at the Wellcome Collection in Euston, London.
Guests were welcomed at a drinks reception where the finalists had a chance to network with leading dental professionals and the esteemed judging panel. The awards were preceded by a morning on ‘Innovative solutions for the General Dentist: 2011 and Beyond’ with speakers including Hein de Kloet, Prof Trevor Burke and Avijit Banarjee, and followed by an insightful debate on the future of dentistry from some of the industry’s most influential figures. This inspiring and eye-opening debate embodied the theme of the event
The three categories in the 3M ESPE Student Dentistry Awards 2010-11 were the Award for Innovation; the National Award for Innovation, which went to Laura Cove, from Bristol Dental School; and the Award for Intercalated Studies, which went to Charlotte Currie from Newcastle Dental School.
The National Award for Innovation and the Award for Intercalated Studies were judged by an independent panel of leading dentistry experts, including Amarjit Gill, president of the British Dental Association, Prof Nairn Wilson, dean and head of King's College London Dental Institute, Prof Trevor Burke and Edward Attenborough, president of the British Dental Trade Association. The judges were impressed by the number and caliber of entries submitted.
The winners all received financial support for research projects, electives and intercalated studies, including a £3,500 bursary, for the winner of the Award for Intercalated Studies, £300 for each of the winners of the Award for Innovation and an extra £500 for the winner of the National Award for Innovation.
Charlotte Currie, winner of the Award for Intercalated Studies said, ‘I am so happy to receive this prestigious award and am grateful to 3M ESPE for investing in the future of dentistry by enabling students like me to not only enhance my CV but by giving me the financial support to further my research and studies. I’m really looking forward to my intercalated year and I think the articaine study could make a huge difference to patient care in the future.’
Mary Anstice, general manager from 3M ESPE said, ‘We were delighted with the overwhelming success of the 2011 3M ESPE Dental Student Awards and want to congratulate all the winners on their achievements. We had so many outstanding entries the judges had a hard job picking the winners. 3M ESPE is dedicated to encouraging innovation and we feel through these 2011 awards we have further inspired innovative work within our dental universities and hopefully into the future careers of our dental students.’