The Department of Dental Surgery within the Faculty of Dental Surgery has, for the first time, organised a Poster Presentation event as a method of assessment for its fifth year dental students.

The event took place in the Aula Magna at the Valletta Campus, as part of the study unit which covers the theoretical and practical teaching of oral medicine, surgery, pathology and radiology. Each student selected a clinical case encountered during their timetabled clinical sessions and managed the patient, with the guidance of their tutors, after researching the latest evidence available. The students then presented a poster highlighting the outcomes of their research and clinical work. This is also complemented by a more detailed written case report submitted separately.

The audience consisted of members of the Board of Examiners for this study unit as well as three invited jurors from the dental profession. Other members of staff from the Faculty of Dental Surgery and more novice students were also invited to attend. Questioning and constructive feedback followed each presentation. Whilst the mark assigned by the examiners will be published through the routine UM processes, the jurors selected the best poster presentation. This year the winner was Lisa Marie-Gatt and she was rewarded an electric toothbrush kindly sponsored by Metropolis Pharma.

The Head of the Department of Dental Surgery, Dr Maria Luisa Gainza Cirauqui, explained how the idea of a poster presentation is intended to promote student research efforts and give students a learning activity that encourages exploration and integration of concepts and provides students with a novel way to demonstrate their understanding of scientific principles. At the same time, such an event hones the students' ability to communicate verbally and their ability to present information visually in a simple way, thereby sharpening their presentation skills. Gaining such research experience at this undergraduate level will hopefully inspire students to contribute to research publications in the future, thereby strengthening professional development.

The audience was immensely impressed by the standard that the students managed to achieve. In his concluding remarks, the Dean of the Faculty of Dental Surgery, Prof. Nikolai Attard commended the students for their work as well as the tutors for their academic commitment to empower students to engage in such enriching activities.

Whilst this event has been the first of its kind for the Faculty, it will surely not be the last as it truly provided value for students and attendees alike.