The Research Forum provides a platform for clinical and basic research to be presented by those in the field of periodontics and is open to all researchers.

Submissions for the 2026 Research Forum Session are now open.

The deadline for submissions is Friday, May 1.

Poster Competition Criteria

• Material may not have been published online or in print at the time of its submission, except as an abstract of 200 words or less.
• Only the lead author named in the abstract submission may present the research at the Annual Meeting and respond to questions.
• Submission of a manuscript for publication consideration prior to submission is permitted. Editor(s) should be informed of the intent to submit the research in the competition to avoid premature publication.

Finalist Eligibility

• Applicants must certify that they are currently enrolled in an accredited postdoctoral program in periodontology or have completed their training no more than 18 months prior to the competition.
• Applicants must be members of the Academy.
• Applicants may submit multiple abstracts to each year’s competition; however, the applicant may only present one abstract in the competition.
• Applicants may not be members of the Research Submissions Committee.

 

Finalist Poster Presentations

Eight finalists will be selected by the AAP’s Research Submissions Committee prior to the Annual Meeting. The selected finalists will present their poster to a panel of judges during the Annual Meeting. One Clinical Science Award and one Basic Science Award will be selected. A cash prize of $750 and a plaque of recognition will be awarded to each of these winners. In addition, one finalist will receive the Clinical Impact Award of $750 and a plaque of recognition. This award is presented to the individual whose research is determined to have the greatest potential for changing and improving periodontal health and patient care. All other finalists will receive a certificate of recognition for their presentation. Award winners will have their submitted abstracts published in the Journal of Periodontology.

Please note that as a Research Forum Poster Competition Finalist, complimentary meeting registration is not extended by the Academy. All speakers are responsible for their own registration fees and related travel, lodging accommodations, and other expenses for the meeting if they wish to present.

 

General Poster Sessions Presentations

The Research Forum provides a platform for clinical research, basic research, and case studies to be presented by those in the field of periodontics and is open to all researchers. All submissions that were not selected as a finalist for either competition, or were not eligible to become a finalist, are invited to present their poster at the general poster session during the Annual Meeting. These poster presentations are not eligible for awards and will not be judged by the Research Submissions Committee during the Annual Meeting. All presenters will have the opportunity to present their poster to Annual Meeting Attendees during a designated time, and will have their poster displayed throughout the Meeting.

Poster Session Criteria

• Material may not have been published online or in print at the time of its submission, except as an abstract of 200 words or less.
• Only the lead author named in the abstract submission may present the research at the Annual Meeting and respond to questions.
• Submission of a manuscript for publication consideration prior to submission is permitted. Editor(s) should be informed of the intent to submit the research in the competition to avoid premature publication.

Poster Session Eligibility

• Applicants need not be members of the Academy.
• Applicants may submit multiple abstracts to each year’s competition; however, the applicant may present only one abstract if selected as a finalist. There is no limit to the number of posters an author may present in the general poster session.
• Applicants may not be members of the Research Submissions Committee.

For more information about the Research Forum Poster Competition, please review Research Submissions Frequently Asked Questions or contact Kaylie Dennin, Manager, Science & Clinical Affairs, at [email protected].

Please note that as a Research Forum Poster Presenter, complimentary meeting registration is not extended by the Academy. All presenters are responsible for their own registration fees and other expenses for the meeting if they wish to present.

Special thanks to Treloar & Heisel for sponsoring the 2026 Research Forum Poster Competition.

Exciting New Opportunity at the AAP Annual Meeting!

Launching for the first time at the 2026 AAP Annual Meeting, the Saving Teeth Case Competition offers junior members of the AAP community a new opportunity to showcase high-quality clinical cases that demonstrate the successful preservation of natural teeth using traditional therapies and emerging technologies.

Submit Your 2026 Saving Teeth Case Competition Entry

The deadline for submissions is Friday, May 1.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be currently enrolled in an accredited postdoctoral program in periodontology in the U.S. or Canada or have completed their training no more than 18 months prior to the competition.
• The program director must certify that the resident/presenter was the primary clinician involved in the case submitted during their residency.
• Applicants must be members of the Academy.
• Previous winners of the competition may not compete in future competitions.

Criteria

• Presentation of a case illustrating how a periodontally compromised tooth or teeth were saved and maintained.
• A minimum of six months of follow-up prior to the submission of the case, but preferably longer, to demonstrate periodontal stability and other relevant outcomes of therapy.
• The presenter must have been directly involved as a clinician in the case presented.
• A case may be previously published and/or presented.

Submission Guidelines

• A maximum of four authors will be allowed per submission.
• The lead author must be identified as the “Presenter.”
• Only the individual named as the “Presenter” in the case presentation submission may present the case at the Annual Meeting and respond to questions.
• Submissions must be provided as a 3:1 PDF, with a minimum of 10 and a maximum of 40 slides and a maximum of 40 images. A formatted PowerPoint/Keynote template will be provided, which must then be submitted as a PDF file.
  • The last slide should be dedicated to explaining the rationale behind the case and why it is significant.
• All identifying information must be removed from the submission (i.e., the case presentation PDF file). This includes author names, institution names, clinic names or logos, any patient identifiers, and any identifying photographs of the authors, institutions, or patients.
• Audio and video are not permitted in the submission materials but may be used in the final presentation.
• Only one submission per person
• Only one case may be included in each submission
• Only one finalist per institution will be permitted
• Any actual or potential conflicts of interest must be disclosed
• The submitter’s program director must provide a letter certifying that the submitter was the primary clinician treating the patient and performing the treatment presented in the submission file. The letter must be on institution letterhead, dated, and signed by the program director. A template is provided for reference.

Finalist Presentations
All finalist presentations will take place at the AAP Annual Meeting in front of a live audience. After a brief introduction, selected cases will be presented to a panel of five judges designated by the Saving Teeth Workgroup. The judges will select one winner who will be recognized at the Awards Ceremony or the General Assembly at the Annual Meeting. The award winner will receive a monetary award of $1,500 and a plaque of recognition. All other finalists will receive a certificate of recognition for their presentation.

Additionally, selected cases will be featured on perio.org, including photos of the finalists and selected images or slides from each case. This library will be accessible to both the dental community and the public.

For more information about the Saving Teeth Case Competition, please contact Kaylie Dennin, Manager, Science & Clinical Affairs, at [email protected].

Please note that if you are selected as a Saving Teeth Case Competition Finalist, complimentary meeting registration is extended by the Academy. Speakers will be contacted regarding their registration accommodations for the meeting following acceptance.

Special thanks to Specialty1 Partners for sponsoring the 2026 Saving Teeth Case Competition.

Innovations in Periodontics sessions showcase advances in clinical periodontics, basic sciences or related subjects that have a direct application to patient care. The target speaker is anyone who has a validated innovation to share. Individual and team-based presentations are welcome for this session.

Submissions for the 2027 AAP Annual Meeting are due Friday, Feb. 26, 2027.

Each year, the Continuing Education Oversight Committee (CEOC) solicits presentations that address advances in clinical periodontics, basic sciences, or related subjects for the Innovations in Periodontics. These sessions will consist of 15-minute presentations. A five-minute question-and-answer period will follow each lecture.

There will be four sessions offered:

Advances in Periodontics: These two sessions are intended to showcase clinical advances and/or translational research with direct application to patient care. The target speaker is anyone who has validated innovation to share. Individual and team-based presentations are welcome for this session.

Rising Stars: This session is intended for speakers in practice 10 years or less following post-graduate training. The selected candidates will receive training to present their material in a brief live-platform showcase.

Individual presentation abstract submission procedure:

• Abstracts will be subjected to a blind review and scoring by members of the CEOC.
• Presenters will be informed of the committee’s decision by July 2027.
• Presenters can submit as many abstracts as they would like. However, no one can present more than once.
• In addition to a 1,000-word abstract, you will need to provide the following information about your presentation:
  • The title, which should be 10 words or fewer, and not include brand and/or trade names or acronyms
  • Which session (Rising Stars, Open Mic, or Advances) you would like to speak in (please note that this decision will rest with the review committee, and you might not get the session of your choice)
  • Why this presentation is innovative
  • How your presentation impacts practicing periodontists
  • Which of the following topics it covers:
    • Emerging Concepts and Innovative Therapies
    • Implant Surgery and Prosthetic Rehabilitation
    • Interdisciplinary Therapy (ortho, endo, restorative)
    • Leadership, Personal, and Practice Development
    • Oral Pathology, Oral Medicine, and Oral Diagnosis
    • Periodontal and Systemic Interrelationships
    • Periodontal Plastic and Soft Tissue Surgery
    • Sedation and Anxiety Management
    • Tissue Engineering and Hard Tissue Reconstruction
    • Treatment of Periodontal Diseases and Peri-Implant Diseases

 

Team-based presentation abstract submission for Advances in Periodontics procedure:

• The team-based presentation will consist of presenting a case and then describing the treatment and rationale for therapy, or an etiopathogenetic mechanism or pathway.
• Teams are limited to two speakers.
• Teams will need to submit one of the following cases:
  • Periodontal-restorative dentate aesthetic
  • Complex periodontal-restorative aesthetic implant
  • Complex periodontal-orthodontic demonstrating Periodontally Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics (PAOO) or orthodontic site development for implants
  • Correct aesthetic implant complication with interdisciplinary therapy

Submissions for the 2027 AAP Annual Meeting are due Friday, Feb. 26, 2027.

Presenters will be informed of the committee’s decision by July 2027.

For questions, contact the Continuing Education department at [email protected].

Please note that as an Innovations in Periodontics speaker, complimentary meeting registration is not extended by the Academy. Speakers must take care of their registration fees and related travel and lodging accommodations and expenses for the meeting if they wish to present.