The MPS Foundation – a global not-for-profit research initiative that aims to shape the future of patient safety – launched the research competition in 2023.
The judges of the inaugural research competition considered several key factors, including alignment of the competition entries to enhancement of patient safety and risk mitigation or reduction, and sought projects with a clear rationale, appropriate methodology and well communicated impact.
The national winning project by Liam Fletcher looked at ways to improve periodontal care and record keeping at a general dental practice, while Southwest regional winner Hong Yee Lee evaluated how periodontal treatment can be carried out successfully through respecting a patient’s boundaries and targeting the cause of dental anxiety.
Midlands regional winner Adam Rahman looked at commonly omitted advice in a general dental practice and cases of periodontal disease in relation to patients who smoke, while Yorkshire and Humber regional winner Jay Patel examined non-surgical periodontal therapy for the management of intra-bony defects.
Callum Youngson, chair of the dental board at MPS, said, “I am delighted to announce the winners for our first Dental Protection research competition for UK foundation dentists. They have produced excellent work on the management of periodontal health which can be applied in general dental practice. They are to be highly commended for the quality of their work.
“Our aim in running these research competitions is to encourage early career dentists to develop expertise in the important areas of patient safety and risk reduction whilst building research capacity and capability for the future. These stand-out projects are a successful example of that.”
He added, “I am happy to announce that the next Dental Protection research competition for foundation dentists launched on October 14, 2024. Once again, we welcome project entries focused on either professionalism, communication, leadership and management, or clinical areas (or a combination) in relation to patient safety and risk mitigation. The national winner will win £1,000 and each regional winner will win £350.”
The competition portal is open and the closing date for competition submissions will be July 31, 2025.