Research

UK College of Dentistry Student Receives National, Regional and Local Honors for Research

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 10, 2015) - University of Kentucky College of Dentistry student Lee Zamos received first place in the clinical science category at the 28th annual DENTSPLY/Caulk Student Research Group Award Competition for original research. Zamos also received first place honors for his work from dental fraternity Delta Sigma Delta, and at the UK College of Dentistry’s Research Day event.

Zamos, a fourth-year UKCD student, was honored with the DENTSPLY/Caulk Award at the American Association for Dental Research/Canadian Association for Dental Research Annual Meeting & Exhibition. Submissions were received from 115 students, 60 of which were in the clinical science category. The award is open to undergraduate dental students of good academic standing, without an advanced degree or doctorate in any field.

“The DENTSPLY/Caulk Award recognizes the critical nature of research in dental education and the importance of student participation in creating new knowledge in the field,” said Dr. Jeff Ebersole, director of the UK Center for Oral Health Research and associate dean for Research and Graduate Studies.

Zamos’ poster presentation, "Immediate Loading of Unsplinted Implant Retained Mandibular Overdenture: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Clinical Study," presents findings from research started in June 2013. The research focuses on improving the quality of life for individuals receiving dental implants to replace missing teeth. Zamos assisted with various aspects of the research, including surgeries, data collection, analysis, and writing the poster.

Mentored by Dr. Ahmad Kutkut, UKCD assistant professor of restorative dentistry, Zamos aided Kutkut and the following doctors in the research: M.A. Rezk, D. Dawson, R. Frazer and M. Al-Sabbagh.

“This project has provided an incredible opportunity for me to learn from some excellent clinician scientists about the world of clinical dental research,” said Zamos. “The opportunity to work side by side with Dr. Rezk and Dr. Kutkut has allowed me the opportunity to gain incredible knowledge and experience regarding implant treatment planning, surgery, and follow-up.”

“With the future of dentistry constantly changing, with the development of new technologies and techniques, I am incredibly humbled to be part of a research team that is contributing so profoundly to the dental community,” added Zamos. 

Zamos also received top honors at the Delta Sigma Delta Annual Regional Meeting, as well as in the DMD category at the UK College of Dentistry’s Research Day. Once a standalone event, UKCD Research Day is now held in conjunction with the Annual Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) Spring Conference allowing UKCD students to learn about research taking place outside of UKCD, and share research with non-dental students.

 

“As always, our Research Day judges not only did a great job but commented on the quality of the science and the student research activities at UKCD," said Ebersole. "Clearly the quality of this science could not occur without the dedication of the cadre of mentors from the college that actively support and nurture these students.”   

For more information on the UK College of Dentistry’s Research Day, including the abstract for Zamos’ poster presentation, visit http://www.mc.uky.edu/Dentistry/research-day..

Media Contact: Ann Blackford at 859-323-6442 or ann.blackford@uky.edu