Olivia Roscoe was the winner of the British Endodontic Society (BES) 2024 Undergraduate Research Prize. The prize aims to encourage a new generation of dentists to get involved in research early in their careers, open to any undergraduate dental student from a UK dental school. Olivia describes what inspired her to enter for the prize:
I have just graduated from Cardiff Dental School and have secured an FD position working around Caerphilly for next year which I’m quite excited about. I currently have an interest in restorative dentistry but, for now, I am very much a baby dentist.
As part of my undergraduate course, I had to write a dissertation/research project. I have an interest in endodontics, and I had quite a good mentor who supervised me on my project, so I wrote a literature review on the efficacy of bupivacaine and whether it should be used in endodontic treatment.
After I had finished writing it, my supervisor suggested I enter for the BES Undergraduate Research Prize, as it fit the criteria and required only a few adjustments. I found the submission process really easy, emailing it to Annabel Thomas who was the point of contact at the time.
Reflecting on the experience, Olivia describes how it felt to win the award and the impact it has had on her career so far:
I was really excited to win the award. I am very new to research, and endo is an area that I am interested in. I find both the practical and academic sides of it enjoyable. Because of this, I was super happy and honestly quite surprised to win the prize as it was my first time entering for something like this. It was exciting for my supervisor and for my school as well.
In terms of the prize, there was a monetary prize of £1,000, and an invitation to the BES Spring Scientific Meeting in London. This conference was one of the best networking experiences I have had so far – it was incredible to be in the room with so many experienced professionals. Everybody was really nice, super chatty, and friendly, and I was able to have lots of interesting conversations with many people who have a lot of knowledge behind them.
Professionally, winning this award gave me a lot more confidence. I am working with members of staff at my school to work my research through to publication, also using some of the connections that I made when I attended the Spring Scientific Meeting. If it does get published this will be helpful in the next stages of my career.
The closing date for entries for the Undergraduate Research Prize is 1st October. Olivia encourages those who are conducting research to consider entering for the prize:
I would definitely encourage other people to enter for this award. Most undergrads will write a piece of research anyway, so I think it’s a really nice way to get your research out there having spent so much time on it. It is also great to have recognition for your research outside of your school, and for the members of staff who supervise you work to have their input recognised too.
One piece of advice that I would offer to those who are thinking of applying is: you don’t have to think the research is incredible. As an undergrad, it’s nice to take the opportunity to enter your work into competitions that you might win, because you won’t win it if you don’t enter!
For more information about the BES, or to join, please visit the website www.britishendodonticsociety.org.uk or call 07762945847
