20 June 2025

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Dentsply Sirona and AADOCR Announce New SCADA Research Award

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The American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR), and Dentsply Sirona, together with the Student Competition for Advancing Dental Research and its Application (SCADA) Alumni Association, are pleased to announce the AADOCR SCADA/Dentsply Sirona Research Award, offering up to $10,000 to support emerging dentist-scientists in dental, oral, and craniofacial biology.

Since its inaugural competition in 1959, the SCADA program has inspired students to recognize the value of dental research and has provided them with opportunities to enhance their research skills through experience and mentorship. By participating, competitors become part of the SCADA Alumni Association, joining a distinguished group of individuals who represented their respective schools and countries’ programs. Alumni benefit from this global network, which connects students, dental schools, researchers, and clinicians worldwide. Dentsply Sirona has proudly supported the SCADA program since its first competition.

New SCADA Award to Support Research

The new award was created to support dentist-scientists, including SCADA program alumni, in their research careers. The award’s immediate goal is to support early-stage dentist-scientists such as post-doctoral scholars and pre-tenure faculty members, with a long-term objective of increasing the number of successfully funded dentist-scientists at the higher ranks in science and academia in the fields of dental, oral, and craniofacial (DOC) biology.

The award is designed to support the academic and scientific development of dentist-scientists toward an independent research career or a new area of research. Recipients will receive up to $10,000 toward the candidate’s research, the establishment of their research infrastructure, the completion of a research project, or preparing research for publication. As part of the terms of the award, the recipient must submit a report within 12 months of receipt of the award funding that describes the results or progress achieved because of the award.

“At Dentsply Sirona, we are deeply committed to advancing oral healthcare through innovation and discovery,” said Dr. Rainer Seemann, Chief Clinical Officer at Dentsply Sirona. “By supporting academic and independent dental research, we empower the next generation of dental professionals to explore new frontiers in oral health, ultimately to improve outcomes for patients worldwide.”

“The new award introduces a stable funding source for dentist-scientists and is another example of how the AADOCR, its partners, and the SCADA Alumni Association support research in dental, oral, and/or craniofacial biology,” said Dr. Effie Ioannidou, President of the AADOCR.

Applicants will be evaluated by a special committee of nine members, made up of four SCADA Board alumni and five IADR/AADOCR members. Reviews will be based on scholarly excellence, quality and originality of projects, active commitment toward a career in DOC research, and personal needs related to challenges and/or obstacles in pursuit of an academic career. The application period opens on July 1, 2025.

The first recipient of the new award will be formally announced at the 2026 AADOCR Annual Meeting and SCADA Awards Ceremony in San Diego, CA. The award is funded by a generous donation from the SCADA Alumni Association and AADOCR.

Empowering the Next Generation to Go BEYOND

This initiative also reflects Dentsply Sirona’s commitment to “BEYOND: Taking Action for a Brighter World,” the company’s sustainability strategy, which includes supporting the next generation of dental professionals. The future of the dental industry relies on continued investment in education, innovation, and mentorship—empowering emerging talent to shape the future of oral health globally.

About Dentsply Sirona

Dentsply Sirona is the world’s largest diversified manufacturer of professional dental products and technologies, with over a century of innovation and service to the dental industry and patients worldwide. Dentsply Sirona develops, manufactures, and markets a comprehensive solutions offering, including dental and oral health products as well as other consumable medical devices under a strong portfolio of world-class brands.

Dentsply Sirona’s innovative products provide high-quality, effective, and connected solutions to advance patient care and deliver better and safer dental care. Dentsply Sirona’s headquarters is located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company’s shares are listed in the United States on Nasdaq under the symbol XRAY.

About AADOCR

The American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to drive dental, oral, and craniofacial research to advance health and well-being. AADOCR represents individual scientists, clinician-scientists, dental professionals, and students based in academic, government, nonprofit, and private-sector institutions who share our mission. AADOCR is the largest division of IADR.

Source: www.aadocr.org