The final of the 20th Global Clinical Case Contest (GCCC) – the international Dentsply Sirona student competition acknowledging dental students for achieving outstanding clinical results – was a day packed with events and, for the first time, six proud winners. Around 300 student case studies were submitted this year, about one-eighth on indirect restorations with the majority on direct restorations. This year, for the first time, the two categories were evaluated and awarded separately. Dental students from a total of 108 medical faculties took part.
Ten finalists from eight countries – Brazil, China, Estonia, France, Russia, Taiwan, Thailand, and Germany – made it to the final round at Lake Constance. They presented their esthetic dental restorations to the distinguished international GCCC jury, consisting of Dr. med. dent. Britta Hahn, University Hospital Würzburg (Germany), Polyclinic for Conservative Dentistry and Periodontology, Dr. Ian Cline, dentist at King’s College (Great Britain), and Prof. Gaetano Paolone from the University of Milan (Italy). All submitted cases were complex restorations in the anterior or posterior region, implemented with equipment and materials from Dentsply Sirona. The finalists of the Global Clinical Case Contest were awarded attractive prizes.
Direct and indirect restorations: Six winners in two categories
To allow for a better comparison between the candidates’ work, the submissions were divided into two categories for the first time: “direct restorations” and “indirect restorations” with three winners selected in each category.
First prize in the “direct restorations” category went to Sofiia Grindenko from the Russian University of Medicine in Moscow, who presented the case of a 32-years-old male patient who received a direct composite restoration with full covering veneers (Neo Spectra® ST composites, Esthet-X® HD). Second place went to Yiting Chen from the Capital Medical University in Beijing (China) with the case of a female patient who suffered from a fractured central incisor that was treated with a direct composite restoration (Neo Spectra®, Prime&Bond Universal). Third place was awarded to Ying Cheng Lu from the Nation Cheng Kung University in Taiwan (R.O.C.) for a patient case in which a fractured upper central incisor was restored by a direct composite restoration (Spectra® ST resind, Prime&Bond Universal, Enhance Finishing).
In the “indirect restorations” category using CAD/CAM-Technology, Chuttaporn Dejdumrongwood from the Chiang Mai University of Thailand won the competition with a case study in which a male patient with concerns about an unesthetic smile and spacing in the maxillary anterior region got a new smile with digital manufactured veneers (CEREC TesseraTM, Calibra® veneer, Prime&Bond® Universal). Second place went to Beatrice Julia Popescu from the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz (Germany) who impressed the panel with the case of a 19-year-old patient with peg-shaped front teeth and missing mandibular central incisors. He got crowns for 11 and 21 and veneers for 12 and 22, composite build-ups on teeth 13 and 23 and two single-wing adhesive bridges in the lower jaw (veneers: CEREC TesseraTM, bridge: CEREC MTLTM Zirconia). Third place went to Chang Guo from the Fourth Military Medical University of Xi’an, Shaanxi (China). He presented the case of a female patient with discolored teeth compromised by secondary caries and bruxism. She received a restoration with veneers from 12 to 22 (Spectra® ST, Celtra, Prime&Bond Universal, Calibra® Veneer).
Consistently high standard of work submitted at Global Clinical Case Contest
The jury praised the high standard of the entries. “It’s remarkable how enthusiastically and precisely the students implemented their cases,” summarized jury member Dr. Britta Hahn. “Each finalist impressively demonstrated how CAD/CAM workflows and modern materials can be used to benefit patients—both esthetically and functionally—at a very high level.”
The competition also demonstrated continuity among its participants and patrons. Several tutors who had successfully guided their students to the GCCC finals in previous years returned this year with new young talent. “I really appreciate the support I receive from my university, from Dentsply Sirona, and through this competition,” said Sofiia Grindenko. “Winning is obviously a huge compliment for my work. But it’s also a great motivation to continue striving to achieve the best possible esthetic outcomes for my patients in the future.”
Implementing the best possible standards of care from the start
“The Global Clinical Case Contest is an important part of our efforts in supporting young dental professionals early in their careers,” explains Prof. Rainer Seemann, Vice President Chief Clinical Officer at Dentsply Sirona. “We aim to give future dentists confidence in using modern technology and enable them to deliver the best possible care right from the start of their clinical journey. We collaborate with universities around the world to develop innovative training programs to ensure the next generation remains at the forefront of research and clinical practice. This dental student case contest emphasizes Dentsply Sirona’s commitment to transforming dentistry and helping dental professionals move forward with confidence.”
The Dentsply Sirona Global Clinical Case Contest has been held since 2004/2005 and was open to dental students enrolled in a college or university at the time of entering the contest. Participants document their case with direct or indirect restorations including photographic evidence with the support of a tutor from their university.
Learn more about Global Clinical Case Contest:
GCCC Global Clinical Case Contest I Dentsply Sirona Global
