The National Student Research Group of the AADR—An Introduction

Abstract

The 2005-06 officers of the National Student Research Group (NSRG) of the American Association for Dental Research (AADR) have summarized their activities in developing the NSRG into an effective organization aimed at fostering future dental researchers. The officers have focused their efforts on establishing opportunities for the pre-doctoral dental student members of the AADR to participate in and formally present their research during dental school. In addition to the many research awards and fellowships already sponsored by the NSRG and the AADR, the NSRG has established new travel awards for students to present at specialty groups' annual meetings. Other recent initiatives have included a contact list of all dental schools, along with local student research group (SRG) leadership contacts, advice during the creation of a new teaching fellowship opportunity, fundraising efforts to support student research and the NSRG infrastructure, and successfully pursuing a student voting position on the AADR Board. A brief addendum detailing recent activities and future initiatives is also included. The article describes membership requirements, selection of officers, and contacts for additional information. We hope that this Discovery! will serve to increase the awareness of students, researchers, and administrators regarding the role of the NSRG.

U.S. Dental Students’ Attitudes Toward Research and Science: Impact of Research Experience

“…The AADR NSRG's main purpose is to foster an environment in every dental school in which students interested in enriching their dental education through research are encouraged to do so (http://www.aadronline.org). 15 The partnering organization, ASDA, protects and advances the rights, interests, and welfare of dental students (http://www.asdanet.org). In the 2011–12 academic year, ASDA had chapters in sixty accredited dental schools in the United States and Puerto Rico.…”

“…The American Student Dental Association (ASDA) played a vital role by distributing and advertising the survey to its membership. The aim of the survey was to determine the interest and involvement of dental students in research and the barriers they face in accessing scholarly opportunities at their dental schools 15 . We hypothesized that dental students would have positive views toward the importance of research in dental education and that these views would be strengthened by research experiences.…”

Integrating Research into Dental Student Training

“…Furthermore, the National Student Research Group (NSRG), a student-run organization within the AADR, strives to "foster an environment in every Integrating research into Dental student training: A Global necessity dental school whereby students interested in enriching their dental education through research are encouraged to do so" (Rogér et al, 2007). In addition to offering students resources with which to develop research activities within dental schools, the NSRG provides opportunities targeted to students at the AADR and joint IADR/AADR/CADR annual meetings, to attract them and augment their experience: The NSRG hosts the AADR DENTSPLY/Caulk Student Research Group Competition; sponsors social events that allow students to network; and organizes seminars and workshops focusing on mentorship, careers in dental research, and evidence-based dentistry.…”