The 2022 Seamus Keating Award

The Seamus Keating Award was established by the Orthodontic Society of Ireland (OSI) in 2018 and offers an opportunity to postgraduate students in orthodontic specialist programmes either in Ireland or internationally, to present their clinical science or basic science-based project in orthodontics at the OSI annual session.

We were delighted to receive 13 entries to the 2022 Seamus Keating Award and to welcome Paula Sinnot, Diarmuid Coffey and Emily Higgins to our meeting in Sligo as our finalists to present their research.

The overall winner was Dr Emily Higgins, for her presentation:
“The Effect of Text Message Reminders on Patient Compliance with Functional Appliance Therapy -a Randomised Controlled Clinical Trial”

Seamus Keating Biography
Seamus was a leading member of the Irish Dental Association (IDA) and a founding member of the OSI. He served as President from 1987/88. Seamus was inducted into the Fellowship of the International College of Dentists (FICD) in 1996. He was an active member of the Royal College of Surgeons (RCSI), where he was a board member from 1990-1994; 1996-1999 and was also a member of the Speciality Advisory Committee (SAC). Seamus was a lecturer in orthodontics and craniofacial biology at University College, Cork, from 1995- 2006. His research interest focused on craniofacial growth and biology, growth modification and functional appliances in orthodontics.

The purpose of the Award
To demonstrate support by the OSI for research in orthodontics and for postgraduate speciality training in orthodontics. The aim is also to encourage and welcome new graduates to our society.

Eligibility
Orthodontic postgraduate students enrolled in a recognised specialist orthodontic training programme and due to graduate the year of the award is held, or Specialist Orthodontists who completed a MSc /MOrth in the previous year. The Award is shortlisted based on clinical relevance and research topic/ methodology. Three candidates are shortlisted and asked to present at the OSI Annual Conference in April. Each finalist is given a stipend and complimentary entry to the conference and dinner. The winner will be chosen on the day of the conference, based on three criteria,  each having equal weight, 1. quality of presentation, 2. clinical relevance to members and 3. the research methodology.

Presentations
The three shortlisted applications will utilise a PowerPoint® presentation or similar and be no longer than 15 mins with 5 minutes of questions and answers afterwards. Each of the shortlisted applicants will be given complimentary entry to the Annual Meeting, will be a guest at the Dinner and will receive a stipend and certificate of achievement. The Award will be judged on presentation, relevance to members, and research design.

This is a biannual award and will be held next in 2024