PDA International Conference

Guidelines for Poster Competition

Eligibility and Registration

• Student Status: Participants must be currently enrolled as undergraduate or postgraduate dental students at a recognized institution.
• Abstract Acceptance: Participation in the poster competition is subject to the prior acceptance of a submitted abstract.
• Conference Registration: All presenting authors and team members must be registered for the conference by the specified deadline.
• Team Size: A team may comprise a maximum of 2-4 members.
• Poster Content: The poster must present recent trends in any area of dentistry. The posters based on research and those based on case reports are encouraged. Case reports should outline the unique features and special interest of the case.

Content and Structure

The poster should be a visual presentation of your accepted abstract and include the following mandatory sections:

• Title: Must be identical to the accepted abstract title.
• Authors & Affiliation: Full names of all authors, their respective departments, faculty, and institution(s).
• Introduction/Background: A brief background followed by a clear statement of the problem.
• Methods: A concise discussion of the data sources, materials, techniques, data collection, and statistical methods used, whichever is applicable to the poster.
• Results: Clear presentation of the findings using easy-to-read tables and graphs.
• Conclusion: A summary of significance of the take home messages.
• Keywords: A short list (usually 3-6) of key terms.
• Main References: A brief list of primary sources (often using the Vancouver style).

Format and Design

Presentation and Judging

• Display Time: The poster must be displayed on the assigned board for the duration specified by the organizers.
• Presentation Time: The presenting author is required to be present at their poster board within 7 minutes. .
• Knowledge: You must be knowledgeable in your subject and ready to defend your findings and methodology.
• Judging Criteria: Judging is typically based on:
  
  • Scientific Merit/Accuracy of the content.
  • Originality and Relevance to dental science.
  • Clarity and Organization of the poster layout.
  • Quality of Discussion and response to judges' questions.
• Decision: The decision of the judging panel will be final.

Guidelines for Oral Presentations

The Oral Presentations will be purely Research Based

Eligibility and Registration

• Student Status: Participants must be currently enrolled as undergraduate or postgraduate dental students at a recognized institution.
• Abstract Acceptance: Participation in the poster competition is subject to the prior acceptance of a submitted abstract.
• Conference Registration: All presenting authors and team members must be registered for the conference by the specified deadline.
• Presenting Author: A research team may comprise of multiple members but there can be just on presenting author.

Presentation Logistics

Slide Content and Structure

The presentation should be a visual and oral delivery of your accepted abstract and is typically structured as follows:

1. Title Slide: Title of the study, full names of all authors, their respective departments, faculty, and institution(s). Include any required conflict-of-interest disclosures on this slide or a dedicated subsequent slide.
2. Introduction/Background (1-2 slides): Briefly establish the clinical/scientific context and clearly state the research question, aim, or hypothesis.
3. Materials and Methods (2-3 slides): Detail the study design, materials, participants/samples, data collection procedure, and statistical analysis used. Use simple diagrams or flowcharts if complex.
4. Results (3-4 slides): This is the core of the presentation. Present your findings clearly using tables, graphs, and high-quality images. Do not simply display raw data; summarize the key outcomes.
5. Discussion (1-2 slides): Interpret your results, compare them with previous literature, and discuss the clinical significance or impact of your findings.
6. Conclusion (1 slide): A clear, concise statement summarizing the main finding and its relevance.
7. Acknowledgments (1 slide): Thanking any research sponsors, funding bodies, faculty supervisors, or co-authors not listed.
8. Q&A Slide: A simple slide to conclude and invite questions.

Design and Readability

Presentation Delivery and Judging

• Practice and Timing: Rehearse your presentation multiple times to ensure you stay within the strict time limit. Practice speaking clearly, confidently, and at a steady, appropriate pace.
• Engagement: Maintain eye contact with the audience (and judges). Do not read directly from the screen or your notes. Use the laser pointer sparingly and strategically.
• Oratory Skill: Speak clearly, project your voice (the microphone is key), and use a professional, engaging tone. Avoid using filler words like "um" or "like."
• Q&A Session: Listen carefully to the question. If you don't understand, politely ask for clarification or repetition. Answer truthfully and professionally. If you don't know the answer, politely state, "That is an excellent question that is beyond the scope of our current data, but we plan to investigate it in our future research."
• Judging Criteria: Judges typically score based on:
  • Scientific Merit and Originality of the research.
  • Clarity of Objectives and Methodology.
  • Quality of Slides and Visual Aids.
  • Clarity, Confidence, and Timing of the verbal presentation.
  • Ability to Answer Questions and defend the research.

Guidelines for Undergraduate Table Clinic Presentations

Concept and Eligibility

• Definition: A Table Clinic is a small, tabletop presentation that focuses on a specific, practical technique, case management concept, innovative idea, or research finding. It is highly visual, often involving models, instruments, equipment, or patient demonstrations (if allowed and pre-approved).
• Eligibility:
  • Participants must be currently enrolled undergraduate dental students.
  • The clinic must be based on a topic relevant to modern dentistry.
  • Prior acceptance of an abstract is mandatory.
• Team Size: A maximum of three to four students should present the clinic at the table

Time and Setup

• Duration: The official presentation time slot is typically 10 minutes for the clinic demonstration and interaction, with an additional 5 minutes for transition/setup. The same clinic may be presented multiple times to different groups or judges throughout the session.
• Equipment Provided: Organizers typically provide:
  • A standard tabletop with two chairs.
  • A standard electrical outlet.
• Setup Time: Students should arrive at least 30 minutes before the session begins to set up their clinics.

Content and Materials

• Focus: The clinic must focus on a clear, singular theme. It should not be a general review of a large topic.
• Visual Aids: Visuals are crucial. Use a combination of:
  • Models: High-quality dental models, typodonts, or 3D prints to demonstrate techniques.
  • Instruments/Materials: Actual instruments, supplies, or materials relevant to the technique being shown.
  • Print Materials: A small, professionally designed backboard (similar to a mini-poster, usually 2 x 3 feet, to provide background and conclusions.
  • Electronic Media: A laptop or tablet can be used to display slides, short video clips, or high-resolution clinical images. Ensure all media is pre-loaded and tested.
• Handouts (Optional): Small, one-page handouts summarizing the clinic's key takeaways, materials used, and author contact information are highly encouraged.
• Safety and Sterilization: If using actual instruments or simulating procedures, all materials must be clean, sterile, and safe for display. No sharp, contaminated, or biohazardous waste should be present.

Presentation and Judging

• Interaction: The presenter must actively engage with the audience and judges. The presentation should be a dialogue, not a monologue.
• Clarity and Flow: The demonstration should be logical, concise, and easy for non-specialists to follow. Step-by-step clarity is essential.
• Judging Criteria: Judges will assess the clinic based on:
  • Practical Relevance and Innovation: The clinical utility and originality of the technique or idea.
  • Clarity of Demonstration: The ease with which the method is understood through materials and delivery.
  • Visual Appeal and Quality of Materials: The professional quality and effectiveness of the models, diagrams, and display.
  • Knowledge and Command of Subject: The presenter's ability to answer detailed questions accurately and confidently.

Guidelines for Undergraduate Quiz Competition

Eligibility and Team Structure

• Eligibility: All participants must be currently enrolled undergraduate dental students
• Team Composition:
  • Each team must consist of four (4) members.
  • All four members must be from the same dental institution.
  • No substitution of team members is allowed once the competition has begun.
• Registration: Teams must register by the specified deadline. Maximum of two teams per institution will be allowed
• Designation: Each team must designate one member as the Team Captain before the start of the competition. The Captain is the only person authorized to submit final answers, challenge questions, or communicate with the Quiz Master.

2. Competition Format and Rules

The competition will typically be run in multiple rounds, such as a Preliminary/Written Round followed by a Final/Oral Stage.

A. Preliminary/Written Round (Elimination)

• Objective: To select the top qualifying teams (6 teams) for the Final Stage.
• Format: All registered teams answer a common paper consisting of multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, or short-answer questions.
• Duration: 45 minutes.
• Procedure: Teams work together silently to complete the paper. No use of electronic devices, books, or notes is permitted.
• Scoring: Answers are checked by a panel. The top teams with the highest cumulative scores advance to the Final Stage.

B. Final/Oral Stage

The Final Stage will consist of multiple rounds, each with specific rules:

3. Subject Areas

Questions will be drawn from all core undergraduate dental subjects, including but not limited to:

• Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Pathology
• Oral Anatomy, Oral Pathology, Oral Medicine, Oral Surgery
• Operative Dentistry (Restorative), Endodontics
• Prosthodontics (Fixed and Removable)
• Orthodontics, Periodontics
• Pediatric Dentistry (Pedodontics)
• Community Dentistry and Public Health
• Dental Materials, Pharmacology

4. Technical Rules

• Electronic Devices: All mobile phones, smart watches, and other electronic communication/reference devices must be switched off and submitted to the invigilator during all rounds. Any violation leads to immediate disqualification.
• Protests/Challenges: Challenges to a question or answer must be raised immediately by the Team Captain before the next question is read. The decision of the Quiz Master and the panel of judges is FINAL.
• Unanswered Questions: If a team provides an incorrect answer in a buzzer round, the question will be passed to the next team that buzzes in.
• Tie-Breaker: In case of a tie for the top rank, a sudden-death buzzer round will be used until a clear win.