The International Team for Implantology (ITI), a leading academic organization dedicated to the promotion of evidence-based education and research in the field of implant dentistry, announced Dr. Wah Ching Tan from Singapore as the winner of the 20th André Schroeder Research Prize. Dr. Tan, a Visiting Consultant and Adjunct Principal Investigator at the National Dental Centre Singapore, was presented with the award by ITI President Prof. Dr. David Cochran during the ITI Congress Germany in Dresden on April 17, 2015. The annual prize carries a cash endowment of 20,000 Swiss francs.
Dr Tan received the award for her study on the "Effect of systemic antibiotics on clinical and patient-reported outcomes of implant therapy". Together with her co-authors Marianne Ong, Jie Han, Nikos Mattheos, Bjarni E. Pjetursson, Alex Yi-Min Tsai, Ignacio Sanz, May C. M. Wong and Niklaus P. Lang, Dr. Tan conducted a multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial to investigate the effect of various systemic antibiotic prophylaxis regimes on patient-reported outcomes and postsurgical complications in patients undergoing conventional implant placement. "The topic had been on my mind for a long time. It is extremely important from the patients' point of view and yet the topic was only covered in a limited manner in the existing literature", commented Dr. Tan. The results of the study revealed that in healthy subjects undergoing standard single implant treatment, the use of prophylactic systemic antibiotics did not improve patient-reported outcomes or the prevalence of postsurgical complications. "We are happy to see that the topic has already been taken up by a number of other researchers, who will provide further interesting insights into this important topic."
Dr Tan holds a Master's degree in Dental Surgery (Periodontology) from the National University of Singapore and obtained her doctor's degree in dental medicine from the University of Bern, Switzerland. Alongside her postgraduate studies, she worked as a dentist and trained as a resident in Periodontology at the National Dental Centre in Singapore. Since 2009, she has been teaching as a Clinical Lecturer in postgraduate Periodontology at the National University of Singapore besides providing specialist periodontal and dental implant therapy to patients at the National Dental Centre and The Dental Studio in Singapore and doing clinical research at the National Dental Centre Singapore.
"My team and I feel honored that our work was judged to be the best by the ITI Research Committee", said Dr. Tan, who accepted the prize from ITI President David Cochran in front of an audience of more than 1,000 congress participants. "This recognition of our work encourages us to continue along our chosen research path."
About the André Schroeder Research Prize
The André Schroeder Research Prize is awarded annually and carries a cash endowment of 20,000 Swiss francs. As of 2016, it will be split into a prize for preclinical research and a prize for clinical research, each endowed with CHF 10,000. The André Schroeder Research Prize is one of the most prestigious awards in the field of implant dentistry and is awarded to independent researchers for advancing dental research and development. The aim is to promote new scientific findings in implant dentistry, oral tissue regeneration and related fields. The award was established more than 20 years ago and is presented in honor of the late Professor André Schroeder (1918-2004), the founding ITI President, who pioneered implant dentistry and whose lifework contributed significantly to modern dentistry.
The 2016 André Schroeder Research Prize will be presented at the ITI Congress North America taking place in Chicago from April 28-30, 2016. Applications are being accepted until September 15, 2015.
About the ITI
The International Team for Implantology (ITI) unites professionals around the world from every field of implant dentistry and related tissue regeneration. As an independent academic association, it actively promotes networking and exchange among its membership. ITI Fellows and Members, who currently number more than 17,000, regularly share their knowledge and expertise from research and clinical practice at meetings, courses and congresses with the objective of continuously improving treatment methods and outcomes to the benefit of their patients.
In 35 years, the ITI has built a reputation for scientific rigor combined with concern for the welfare of patients. The organization focuses on the development of well-documented treatment guidelines backed by extensive clinical testing and the compilation of long-term results. The ITI funds research as well as Scholarships for young clinicians, organizes congresses and continuing education events and runs more than 600 Study Clubs around the globe. The organization also publishes reference books such as the ITI Treatment Guide series.
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