The British Society of Special Care Dentistry awards a range of prizes annually to members of the society.
Categories are open to undergraduates, dental care professionals as well as experienced dentists.
The BSSCD Everyday Miracles Award
Everyday, special care dentists go above and beyond for their patients making sure they get the best care and to the highest standard.
The British Society for Special Care Dentistry Everyday Miracles award celebrates the amazing work special care dentists undertake in their dental teams.
Patients are invited to tell their story of how a special care dentist changed their life for the better.
Nominations should be made by patients or carers directly.
PRIZE GUIDANCE AND REGULATIONS
- BSSCD members may only submit once per prize on which they are the presenting (first) author, but it is permissible to be a co-author on multiple abstracts.
- It is expected that, in keeping with normal publication protocol, the first author (the presenting author) has made the greatest contribution to the work described. All co-authors must have approved the submission.
- Dual authorship is permitted where there has been equal input and both authors will be asked to contribute to the oral presentation at the conference. The prize value will remain unchanged and so would be divided between the co-authors.
- Each abstract may only be submitted in one category.
- No submissions should have been presented previously at a National or International scientific meeting or have been published.
- Please also refer to the award specific guidance.
Updated: November 2025 FT
Research Award 2026
BSSCD Research Award 2026. Value of the award is up to £7,000
The British Society of Special Care Dentistry is delighted to offer a research prize to support a project related to Special Care Dentistry. The BSSCD Research Award seeks to support early career researchers in Special Care Dentistry or related disciplines to undertake high-quality research that benefits patients cared for in Special Care Dentistry services.
The project should involve novel research that benefits patients cared for in Special Care Dentistry services, and support career progression for those with an interest in research.
For full details, please see the below BSSCD Research Award: Guidance for Applicants and application form.
Click here to download the BSSCD Research Award application form
Please return completed forms by email to
CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF APPLICATIONS: 28 February, 2026
There is an aim to announce the winner at the BSSCD Spring Conference 2026.
Updated: November 2025 FT
Clinical Audit Prize
BSSCD CLINICAL AUDIT PRIZE Value of award: £300
Entry criteria:this competition is open to BSSCD members and seeks entries from non-consultant grade (or equivalent) clinicians. Projects submitted under this category must demonstrate:
- The key aspects of the audit or service evaluation process
- What changes / improvements have been made to clinical practice or service delivery
Applicants should submit an abstract limited to 250 words and structured according to the guidance below via email to Gill Howie at
CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF ABSTRACTS: 31 January.
The best 3 entrants will be invited to give a 15 minute oral presentation at the BSSCD Spring Conference.
Guidance and regulations for prize submissions
Updated: October 2024 FT
Poster Prize
BSSCD (formerly BSDH) POSTER PRIZE
Value of award: £200
Entry criteria: this competition is open to BSSCD members and seeks entries from non-consultant grade (or equivalent) clinicians. The abstract should describe an aspect of the practice of special care dentistry.
Applicants should submit an abstract limited to 250 words and structured according to the guidance below via email to Gill Howie at
CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF ABSTRACTS: 31 January.
The best entrants will be invited to present posters at the BSSCD Spring Conference.
Poster preparation: Posters will be displayed on a standard display board and should be A0 portrait (841 mm width by 1189 mm height).
Guidance and regulations for prize submissions
Updated: October 2024 FT
Dental Care Professional Poster Prize
BSSCD Dental Care Professional Poster Prize
Value of award: £200
Entry criteria: this competition is open to Dental Care Professional BSSCD members from anywhere in the world. The poster should satisfy one or more of the following criteria:
- Involve subject related to provision of dental care for people with severe disability or medical history and demonstrate good team working
- An audit, service improvement or research of relevance to special care dentistry
- Resulted in improved clinical practice or service for special care patients
Applicants should submit an abstract limited to 250 words and structured according to the guidance below via email to Gill Howie at
CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF ABSTRACT: 31 January.
Posters will be displayed at the BSSCD Spring Conference.
Poster preparation: Posters will be displayed on a standard display board and should be A0 portrait (841 mm width by 1189 mm height
Guidance and regulations for prize submissions
Updated: October 2024 FT
Undergraduate Essay Prize
BSSCD Undergraduate Essay Prize
Value of award: £300
Entry criteria: this competition is open to undergraduate dentists, therapists and hygienists from anywhere in the world. The essay should satisfy one or more of the following criteria:
- Involve subject related to provision of dental care for people with severe disability or medical history and demonstrate good team working
- An audit, service improvement or research of relevance to special care dentistry
- Resulted in improved clinical practice or service for special care patients
They should be original, clearly written. The winning essay will be considered for publication in the Journal for Disability and Oral Health.
Applicants should submit a 2500 word essay in English and structured according to the guidance below via email to Gill Howie at
CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF ESSAYS IS 31 JANUARY.
Instructions for an essay
Essays should also contain a short abstract no longer than 250 words which is able to stand alone and follows the general instructions and any relevant specific instructions above. The abstracts word count will not contribute to the essay’s word limit.
All submitted essays will be considered for publication in the Journal of the British Society of Special Care Dentistry and as such must meet the journal submission criteria.
This information can be accessed via the following link https://bsscd.org/bsscd-journal-guidelines-for-authors
Updated: October 2024 FT
Travel Awards
BSSCD TRAVEL AWARDS
Value of award: £750
Entry criteria: The British Society of Special Care Dentistry has established these awards to support BSSCD members (excluding consultants and equivalent academic grades) who wish to present a poster or oral communication at scientific meetings of the International Association for Disability & Oral Health (IADH). £750 will be available on alternate years to coincide with the IADH conference.
Applicants should submit an abstract limited to 250 words and structured according to the guidance below via email to Gill Howie at
CLOSING DATE FOR RECEIPT OF ABSTRACTS: 31 January
The winning entry(s) will receive their certificate and cheque as part of the conference proceedings at the BSSCD Spring Conference or it can be sent in the post if the person is unable to attend. The winning entry(s) will present at the BSSCD Spring Conference. If a winning abstract is not accepted for the proposed conference, or the applicant is subsequently unable to attend the named meeting, BSSCD must be informed and the award may have to be returned to the Society.
Updated: October 2024 FT