The Irish Society for Disability and Oral Health (ISDH) was established in 2002. It serves to promote, preserve and protect the oral health of people with disabilities. The following special care dentistry awards are presented by the Dental Health Foundation at the annual ISDH Conference.
We are delighted to continue to fund the following Bursaries:
Student/ Newly Qualified Professional Award
The society will award a bursary of €300 to the best essay, case-report or completed project on any aspect of Special Care Dentistry by an undergraduate student or a newly qualified dental professional in the island of Ireland. This prize is confined to undergraduate students or newly qualified dental professionals (first year post- qualification) on the island of Ireland.
Annual Special Care Dental Care Professional (DCP) Award
The Society will award €350 to the best essay, case-report or completed project on any aspect pf Special Care Dentistry by a dental nurse, hygienist, oral health promoter or other non-dental health care professional.
2023 Winner
Congratulations to Elizabeth Ellard for winning the Annual Special Care Dental Care Professional (DCP) Award.
The Title of Elizabeth's project is: And the beat goes on; Innovative and collaborative practice to support the dental care of children with complex and integrated care needs.
The project used Music Therapy to aid with dental treatments for children (age range 4-16 years) with complex and integrated care needs (many with significant neurodisability). Treatment ranged from simple preventive care to restorations, root canal therapy and dental extractions. This joint working resulted in positive outcomes for individuals & families.
Pictured L to R Eleanor McGovern CHI Temple Street, Alison Sweeney CHI Temple St, Orlaith Kennedy DHF, Elizabeth Ellard, CHI Temple Street.
2022 Winners
Congratulations to Katrina Byrne for winning the Biennial Dental Health Foundation Travel Bursary Award (€700).
(L-R) Ms Sandra Byrne, Project Officer, Dental Health Foundation presenting the Dental Health Foundation Biennial Travel Bursary (Irish Society for Disability and Oral Health (ISDH)) to Ms Katrina Byrne, and Dr Ahhmed Kahatab, President ISDH
The title of Katrina’s project is: The Oral Health Status of Older People with Intellectual Disabilities in Ireland. Initial Findings.
The study confirms the poor oral health status of people with intellectual disabilities. The unique focus on function demonstrates highly prevalent inadequate dentition for aesthetic and occlusal function.
You can read the abstract HERE
Congratulations to Sadhbh O’Rourke for winning the Student/ Newly Qualified Professional Award (€300).
The title of Sadhbh's project is ‘Does education in Special Care Dentistry increase people’s confidence to manage the care of a more diverse population?’
It was found that those who received high quality practical and theoretical education on how to manage patients with SHCN reported having higher levels of confidence than those who don’t.
You can read the abstract HERE
Student/ Newly Qualified Professional Award 2021 - Eszter Lujber 5th year dental science student, Dublin Dental University Hospital for her winning project 'What is the best way to deliver oral hygiene to residents of nursing and residential care homes in Ireland?'
2019 Winners:
Ms Ioanna Politi, ‘Atraumatic Restorative Technique: An evidence based approach for the management of caries in older adult patients’. Abstract here. Ms Sviatlana Anischuck, “Oral Health Beliefs in people living with Von Willebrand’s disease in Ireland.” Abstract here.