Student Research Showcased on Balbo Day

11147153_1697694743834999_4889734392499216044_o-2 Nidhi Khurana and Yasundhara Blatt won second place in the postgraduate clinical category on Balbo Day.

The patient was missing all her upper teeth and several dentists had already told her it was impossible to fit her with dentures. A condition called scleroderma prevented her from opening her mouth wide enough for them to take impressions.

But postgraduate students Nidhi Khurana and Yasundhara Blatt didn't give up. Using hydroplastic dental beads that soften into putty when wet, they were able to insert them in the patient's mouth to begin the process of creating dentures. When they were done, the woman, 68,  was far less self-conscious about her looks, her speech had improved and she was able to chew solid food.

"She was so happy she broke down and cried,'' said Khurana.

Both Khurana and Blatt won second place in the postgraduate clinical category on Balbo Day, the annual exposition that showcases RSDM’s student research and clinical work. It’s named for Michael Balbo, a faculty member and student advocate who started the event 40 years ago. This year, students presented posters on everything from oral biology findings to digital technology that can scan dental molds and root canals. There were also several case studies, including a presentation on a patient being fitted for a prosthetic ear after his own ear was ripped off in a fight.

At Balbo Day, the goal is for students to hone their presentation skills by describing their work in language that piques interest and is easy to understand.

Dr. Cibele Nasri-Heir,  a Balbo day judge, was impressed by this year's contenders. "They were very well-prepared. The quality of the science was excellent and the presenters were engaging,'' she said.

An awards ceremony will be held April 13th at 1pm in MSB C600 to celebrate all the participants.

Below is a list of winners:

Student Summer Research Program winners:
1) Andrew Tang
2) Wenheng Zhu
3) Susun Kim

Postgraduate Research winners:
1) Phillippe Duguelte
2) Sminu Patel
3) Mohamed Elazhri

Postgraduate Clinical winners:
1) Gabriel Strauss
2) Nidhi Khurana and Yasundhara Blatt
3) Liny John