The British Society of Paediatric Dentistry's (BSPD's) Outstanding Innovation Award (OIA) is open for entries until 17 February 2023. The winner will be notified by the end of the month.

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Credit: Photographer Ketut Subiyantois

The award celebrates inspiring and innovative schemes to improve the oral health of children. Entries are invited from anyone who is a member of BSPD at the time of submission, with an initiative or scheme which has had a demonstrable impact on children's oral health.

This award was established in 2017 to recognise, and encourage, the work of BSPD's members in the area of innovation. By providing positive publicity for the initiative and its creator, the Society aims to encourage, promote and disseminate good practice.

All entries must be projects initiated or managed by BSPD members and the project must be UK-based. Entries will be judged against the criteria by a sub-committee of BSPD Executive. Each member will score the projects independently and the sub-committee will then meet to agree an overall winner. The sub-committee may offer commendation for any exceptional projects that do not win.

The 2022 joint winners were Jemma Facenfield for her Dental clinic for looked-after children and adolescents and Lucy Ridsdale for Dental care pathways for looked-after children.

The Award is presented each year at the Society's Annual Scientific Conference in September. The winner's prize also includes:

  • Free entry to attend one day of the Conference

  • One night's accommodation and UK travel, booked in line with the Society's Expenses Policy

  • Allocated time in the Conference programme to give a 20-minute presentation on the project

  • A BSPD press release, including photograph, disseminated to the dental press.

For more information and to download the application form visit https://www.bspd.co.uk/Professionals/Awards-and-Prizes/The-Outstanding-Innovation-Award.