Three students took first place at the 29th annual Professionals Day and 48th annual Student Scientific Program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Dentistry in Lincoln. The students received a total of $500 in cash awards at the program, which took place March 27.

Professionals Day celebrates scholarly activities and provides students, faculty and the dental community an opportunity to share professional and academic activities. The scientific program highlights the academic achievements of the students and their research on topics concerning oral health. The annual event is held in the East Union on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln campus.

The cash awards were made possible through contributions from Dentsply, International College of Dentists, Lincoln District Dental Association, Nebraska Dental Association, Nebraska Dental Hygienists’ Association and the Alpha Lambda Chapter of Sigma Phi Alpha, the national dental hygienists’ honor society.

Below is a listing of the winners and their research topics:

Senior dental hygiene students Morgan Mowrey (Grand Island, NE) and Rachel Johanson (Lincoln, NE) – “The Effect of Probiotics on Streptococcus Mutans in the Oral Cavity.”

Junior dental student Dave Duevel (Roseville, MN) – “Coated Nanoparticles and Polymer Molecular Weight – Effects on PDMS Properties.”

Graduate student Chad Riggs (Orem, UT) – “Using Chemical Pocket Disinfection as an Adjunct to Non-surgical Maintenance Therapy of Inflamed Periodontal Pockets.”

For more information visit UNMC College of Dentistry online at www.unmc.edu/dentistry/.