Are you interested in participating in the Research Poster Session (to present only or to compete) and/or the Graduate Student Research Award competition for AAPD 2025?

Below, find dates and deadlines you should be aware of. Check back for more updates as AAPD 2025 gets closer.

  • November 1, 2024 - Research Poster Session and GSRA Abstract Submission Open
  • January 15, 2025 - Research Poster Session and GSRA Abstract Submission Deadline (Final data is only required for GSRA submissions at this time. All other submissions can note “Final Data Pending”)
  • February 2025 - Notification of acceptance into Research Poster Session and/or GSRA semifinalist round via email
  • April 10, 2025 - Research Poster Session/GSRA ePoster Submission Deadline (Final data is required for all poster submission categories at this time)

2025 Abstract & Poster Guidelines 2025 Research Poster Session FAQs

Poster Session & the Graduate Student Research Award

Abstracts

  • Abstracts for all poster categories (GSRA included) are due by January 15, 2025.
  • Submit only 1 abstract per research project (there is one presenting author, all others should be listed as co-authors).
  • Only 1 abstract/poster per presenting author is guaranteed a presentation slot. All other entries will either be scheduled according to availability, or posters and audio recordings will be able to be accessed via the conference website and app.
  • If you have submitted multiple abstracts/posters, indicate your preference for the one you would like to present in your abstract. At the end of your abstract add “First Choice for Presentation”.

Posters/Audio Recordings and Presentation Schedule

  • Posters and audio recordings are due by April 10, 2025. This is a live, in-person, event. Physical posters are not needed, this is an electronic poster session (your poster will be presented on a screen behind you).
  • You will receive an email in the weeks leading up to Annual Session that will include your scheduled poster presentation date, please keep this for your records. Presenting authors must be at their assigned station during their designated date and time of their presentation (Friday or Saturday 9 AM-5 PM). No schedule changes will be allowed.
  • The poster session will run 9 AM-5 PM on Friday, May 23 and Saturday, May 24.
  • The schedule will be finalized after all posters have been submitted.
  • For those who have entered into the poster competition, the winner will be announced during the General Assembly on Sunday, May 25.

Registration for AAPD 2025
Submitting an abstract or a poster does NOT automatically register you for AAPD 2025 Annual Session. You must register for the conference separated from abstract/poster submission. Registration for AAPD 2025 opens in December.

Who can present a poster?

  • AAPD Members
    • Pediatric Dental Residents
    • Pre-doctoral Dental Students
    • Other (e.g. faculty, residents from other specialties, etc.)

Who is eligible to compete for awards?

  • Poster Competition - Only Pediatric Dental Residents are eligible to compete for this award.
  • Graduate Student Research Awards (GSRA) – Current pediatric dentistry residents or graduates of a pediatric dentistry residency training program, having received their certificate or degree within twelve (12) months prior to the GSRA abstract submission deadline.

What are the options for presenting your poster at the AAPD Annual Session?

Those who wish to present their poster at the Annual Session have a few different options from which to choose. Which option is most appropriate will first depend on whether you have a case presentation or a research project.

  • Research projects are eligible to participate in the Graduate Student Research Award (GSRA) and Research Poster Session (to present only or enter the competition)
  • Case presentations are welcomed, but are NOT eligible to participate in either competition (GSRA or Poster competition)

Your choice of whether or not to participate in the competition(s) or simply present your findings should be based on the quality of the research, the significance of the findings, and your own personal feelings toward participation. This should be discussed with your program director prior to submitting your application. When you choose to submit your abstract, you will be prompted to choose one of these options before submitting. Below is a description of each category to help you determine which option is best for you.

Program Directors will be required to sign off on all abstracts before they can be submitted.

  1. Poster Presentation Only: This option is appropriate for case presentations, some pilot studies, and research projects with partial results. You will be assigned a time slot at a poster station to present during the Annual Session. This category does not include judging by a Poster Judge. You will present your poster and answer questions from an assigned Poster Reviewer. You will not participate in the competitions and, as such, will not be scored nor considered for an award/prize.
  2. Poster Competition Only: This option is appropriate for completed research projects. You will be assigned a time slot to present during the Annual Session. A Poster Judge will come by to listen to your presentation and will ask questions regarding your project and findings. Judging is based off specific criteria provided the judges. This category is eligible to win first, second or third place in the Poster Competition. This option does not include entry in the Graduate Student Research Award competition.
  3. Graduate Student Research Award (GSRA) ONLY: This option is appropriate for completed research projects with significant You will be entered into the GSRA competition ONLY. You will NOT be assigned a time to present a poster at the Annual Session unless you are chosen as a GSRA finalist.
    1. GRSA Applicants
      1. Applicants may only submit one entry for this award. Entries will not be accepted from individuals who have previously submitted to the competition. Abstracts must not be closely related to another submitted abstract with the same coauthors.
      2. Published work is eligible for the competition with the following caveats:
        1. Research cannot have been published more than 6 months prior to the GSRA abstract submission deadline
        2. The presenting author (i.e. applicant submitting the abstract for the GSRA competition) must be the primary author of the published work
        3. Applicants must be active members in good standing of the AAPD (international applicants may join at the time of submission).
        4. Current pediatric dentistry residents or graduates of a pediatric dentistry residency training program, having received their certificate or degree within twelve (12) months prior to the GSRA application deadline are eligible for this award.
        5. Final, analyzed data must be included in the January abstract submission, without final data will not be judged.For Finalists Only
    2. For Finanlists Only
      1.  A manuscript is required. If a major flaw in the research study is detected during the manuscript review, the judges reserve the right to withdraw the award prior to the Annual Session and to name a successor finalist. Finalist are not eligible to win a prize in the Research Poster Competition.
      2. Oral presentations are held on the Friday of Annual Session, and plaques are awarded during the General Assembly and Awards Ceremony on the Sunday of Annual Session. Attendance to both of these events is mandatory.
  4. Poster Competition and GSRA: This option is appropriate for completed research projects with significant findings. You will be entered to participate in the GSRA competition AND the Poster Competition. You will be assigned a time slot to present during the Annual Session. A Poster Judge will come by to listen to your presentation and will ask questions regarding your project and findings. Judging is based off specific criteria provided the judges. This category is eligible to win first, second or third place in the Poster Competition. However, should you be chosen as a GSRA finalist, you will be expected to present your poster during your assigned time, but are not eligible to win a prize in the Poster Competition.

THE AAPD IS NOT RESPONSIBLE IF YOU MAKE AN INACCURATE SELECTION DURING THE SUBMISSION PROCESS. IT IS UP TO THE SUBMITTER TO TAKE STEPS TO FIX ANY ERRORS WITH THEIR SUBMISSION.

Poster Competition Prize Information
Those who choose to compete in the Research Poster competition are eligible to win the prizes below:

  • 1st Place: $1,000
  • 2nd Place: $500
  • 3rd Place: $250

GSRA Prize Information
The Graduate Student Research Award (GSRA) was established in 1989 for pediatric dentistry residents and recent graduates. Eight finalists are selected to present their research during AAPDs Annual Session. Finalists receive complimentary registration for them and a guest to the meeting, and one hotel room (three nights lodging), airfare (up to $500), and a $500 cash award. Finalists are also presented with a plaque during the General Assembly at the Annual Session.* A matching cash award is presented to each finalist’s training program.

Oral presentations are held on the Friday of Annual Session, and plaques are awarded during the General Assembly and Awards Ceremony on the Sunday of Annual Session. Attendance to both of these events is mandatory.

*While multiple authors can be acknowledged, only one applicant will serve as the finalist to make the oral presentation and be awarded complimentary registration, hotel, airfare, and cash award.

Poster Presentation Requirements:

  • For publishing purposes, posters uploaded must be a PDF file at highest resolution possible.
  • The aspect ratio (ratio of width to height) should ideally be set to '16:9'
  • The complete poster is limited to one slide only. That means one single page for your PDF file
  • Fonts should be sans-serif (e.g., Arial, Calibri, etc.)
  • Minimum font size should not be smaller than 6pt
  • Graphic material, tables and illustrations should be as simple as possible. Numbers or arrows to indicate the viewing sequence are of great assistance to viewers.
  • The faces of subjects should be blacked out for privacy
  • Images must be at least 120 pixels

Poster Viewing Access
All posters and audio recordings are made available for viewing via the AAPD Annual Session App, as well as on the Annual Session Itinerary Planner.

No printed posters are needed.

View posters and listen to audio recordings from 2022, 2023, and 2024 here: https://www.eventscribe.net/2022/AAPD2022/index.asp https://www.eventscribe.net/2023/AAPD2023/index.asp
https://aapd2024.eventscribe.net/

Commercialism
 Posters must avoid commercialism, promotion, or advertisement. Posters that are deemed to be commercial, promotional or an advertisement will not be accepted and will be removed from the competition.

For any questions regarding the Poster Competition and/or the Graduate Student Research Award, please contact Education Development and Academic Support Manager, Leola Royston at lroyston@aapd.org or (773) 938-4986.