Are you interested in presenting your research at AAPD 2026? You can participate in the Poster Session (to present only or to enter the competition) or enter to compete for the Resident Research Award.

Below, you will find essential information, guidelines, and key deadlines. Please check back for updates as the meeting approaches.

AAPD encourages residents to be familiar with the research agenda and select resident research projects aligned with its priorities. View the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Research Agenda here.

  • November 5, 2025 - Research Poster Session and RRA Abstract Submission Open - Submit Your Abstract Here
  • January 14, 2026 - Research Poster Session and RRA Abstract Submission Deadline (Final data is only required for RRA submissions at this time. All other submissions can note “Final Data Pending”)
  • February 2026 - Notification of acceptance into Research Poster Session and/or RRA semifinalist round via email
  • April 22, 2026 - Research Poster Session/RRA ePoster Submission Deadline (Final data is required for all poster submission categories at this time)

Submit Your Abstract Here

2026 Abstract & Poster Guidelines 2026 Research Poster Session FAQs

 Abstracts
  • Abstracts for all poster categories (RRA included) are due by January 14, 2026.
  • 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 22, 2026. 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 the 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 from 9 AM to 5 PM on Friday, May 22, and Saturday, May 23.
  • The schedule will be finalized after all posters have been submitted.
  • For those who have entered the poster competition, the winner will be announced during the General Assembly on Sunday, May 24.
Registration for AAPD 2026

Submitting an abstract or a poster does NOT automatically register you for AAPD 2026 Annual Session. You must register for the conference separately from abstract/poster submission. Registration for AAPD 2026 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.
  • Resident Research Awards (RRA) – 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 RRA 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 Resident Research Award (RRA) and Research Poster Session (to present only or enter the competition)
  • Case presentations are welcome, but are NOT eligible to participate in either competition (RRA 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 on specific criteria provided by 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 Resident Research Award competition.
  3. Resident Research Award (RRA) Only: This option is appropriate for completed research projects with significant findings. You will be entered into the RRA competition ONLY. You will NOT be assigned a time to present a poster at the Annual Session unless you are chosen as an RRA finalist.
    1. RRA 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 RRA abstract submission deadline
        2. The presenting author (i.e., applicant submitting the abstract for the RRA 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 RRA application deadline, are eligible for this award.
        5. Final, analyzed data must be included in the January abstract submission. Abstracts without final data will not be judged.
    2. For Finalists 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. Finalists 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 at both of these events is mandatory.
  4. Poster Competition and RRA: This option is appropriate for completed research projects with significant findings. You will be entered to participate in the RRA 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 on specific criteria provided by the judges. This category is eligible to win first, second, or third place in the Poster Competition. However, should you be chosen as an RRA 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
RRA Prize Information

The Resident Research Award (RRA) was established in 1989 for pediatric dentistry residents and recent graduates. Eight finalists are selected to present their research during AAPD's Annual Session. Finalists receive complimentary registration for themselves 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 at 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 the 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
  • No printed posters are needed. This is an ePoster session

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.

View posters and listen to audio recordings from 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025. 

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 Research Poster Session and/or the Resident Research Award, please contact Senior Manager,  Education Development and Academic Support, Leola Royston at Lroyston@aapd.org or (773) 938-4986.