The ISDS Foundation Supports Dental Student Table Clinics

Jul 3, 2025

Six winners of the ISDS Foundation’s dental student table clinics awards have been chosen. Research competitions for all classes from D1-D4 are conducted each year at Illinois dental schools. Students work on projects with professors and graduate students and present posters and oral explanations of their projects. Dentists from the Foundation Board of Directors attend the Research Day at each school and evaluate the presentations. The Foundation then presents financial awards to students with the best presentations.

Dr. Susan Bishop is chair of the Dental Student Research Committee for the ISDS Foundation. She provided information on the process for awarding the students. There were two different categories for the awards for each school, and the schools classified the research done by the dental students into those categories of basic science and clinical.  Typically, four dentists from the Foundation Board of Directors judge the students’ projects, but this depends on how many students participate and how long the judging period is allowed for the day. More judges can be requested to volunteer if needed. 

“Every time I listen to the research presentations, I take back at least one or two informational ‘pearls’ that I can use in my clinical practice.   The research done at the dental schools is such a great benefit for our dental profession,” said Susan Bishop. “The judges are amazed at how the students can manage to carry a full dental school curriculum and do research. Some do it all four years of dental school!”  Both Drs. Richardson and Heiss, who were actively involved in dental research while they were in dental school and have continued to do research in dentistry after dental school, also think these students are doing a fantastic job and a real service for the profession.     

Three UIC College of Dentistry and three SIU School of Dental Medicine award winners each received $600. 

UIC Judges:
Dr. Peggy Richardson
Dr. Susan Bishop
Dr. Mark Heiss

SIU Judges:
Dr. Timm Schwartz
Dr. Susan Bishop
Dr. Gary Fischer

Table Clinic Award Winners:

Southern Illinois University School of Dental Medicine

Photo 1:
Basic Science: Chase Finchman and Kelly Bunselmeyer
"The Benefits of Eustress in Dental School"

Photo 2:
Clinical Application: Amanda Tennehill 
"Antimicrobial Properties of Agmatine and Epigalocatechin Gallate (EGCG); An invitro Investigation"

The University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry

Photo 3:
Basic Science: Kerwin Chong
"BDNF Controls DSPP and DMP-1 Expression on DDPSC"

Photo 4:
Clinical Application: Minwoo Choi
"Radiographic Outcomes of NS-RCT in Patients Using Antiresorptive/Anti-Angiogenic Medications"

Photo 5:
Population Health: Elias Guerra
"Survey Evaluating Current State of Nutritional Counseling in Edentulous Patients"