Scientific Guidelines

Abstract Submission Deadline

15 October 2026

Participants are advised to submit their abstracts well before the deadline to avoid technical difficulties.

Notification of abstract acceptance and presentation schedule will be communicated to the submitting author.

SCIENTIFIC PRESENTATION CATEGORIES

The scientific presentations for the 39th Tamilnadu state dental Conference will be conducted under the following three categories:

01

Student Paper Presentation

02

Poster Presentation

03

Delegate Award Paper

Participants may submit only one scientific presentation, either as a paper or poster, under one eligible category.

I. General Guidelines

  • Abstracts must be submitted in structured format.
  • The abstract should be submitted in English.
  • Abstracts may be submitted as Original Research, Case Report or Review.
  • The submitting author must be the first author.
  • The submitting author is responsible for ensuring that all co-authors are aware of and approve the content before submission.
  • The submitting author and all co-authors must be registered delegates of the conference.
  • Each registered delegate may present only one scientific presentation.
  • The Scientific Committee reserves the right to change a paper presentation to a poster presentation depending on the number and quality of submissions and availability of presentation slots.
  • All abstracts will be reviewed by the Scientific Committee.
  • The decision of the Scientific Committee regarding acceptance, category, and scheduling will be final.
  • Abstracts received after the prescribed deadline will not be considered.
  • Once submitted, abstracts cannot be modified.
  • The scientific presentation should be the original work of the authors. Any form of plagiarism or duplicate publication will result in disqualification.
  • The Scientific Committee reserves the right to reject any submission that does not comply with the guidelines.

II. Abstract Guidelines

20–25 Maximum Title Words

The title should be concise, specific, and relevant to the study/presentation.

300 Maximum Abstract Words, excluding the title and keywords.

Abstracts should be structured appropriately according to the type of submission.

5 Maximum Keywords

Suggested structure for Original Research

Background / Aim – Materials & Methods – Results – Conclusion

Suggested structure for Case Report

Background – Case Presentation – Management – Outcome – Conclusion

Suggested structure for Review

Background – Objective – Review Methodology – Findings – Conclusion

The abstract should NOT contain: Tables, graphs, images, references, author photographs or institutional logos.

III. Category 1 – Student Paper Presentation

Eligibility

  • Undergraduate dental students.
  • Postgraduate dental students.
  • Presenter must be a currently enrolled student at the time of submission and presentation.
  • Maximum 2 presenters are permitted.
  • Both presenters must belong to the eligible student category.
  • Both presenters must be registered for the conference.
  • Both presenters must be present during the presentation.

Presentation Time

6 min Presentation
2 min Question & Answer
8 min Total allotted time

Presentation Format

  • PowerPoint presentation in PPT/PPTX format.
  • The Presentation should be clear, concise and scientifically structured.
  • The presentation code allotted by the Scientific Committee must be displayed on the left-hand side of every slide.
  • The identity of the presenter/institution should not be revealed through the presentation slides.
  • Suggested fonts: Arial / Times New Roman.
  • Suggested title font size: 30 pt.
  • Suggested text font size: 24 pt.
  • Recommended maximum: approximately 5 lines per slide.

Evaluation Criteria

  • PowerPoint presentation in PPT/PPTX format.
  • Scientific relevance
  • Originality / novelty
  • Clarity of objectives
  • Methodology
  • Quality and interpretation of results
  • Discussion
  • Conclusion
  • Clinical/scientific relevance
  • Quality of presentation
  • Time management
  • Response to questions
  • The highest-scoring eligible presentation will be considered for the Best Student Paper Award

IV. Category 2 – Poster Presentation

Eligibility

  • Undergraduate students.
  • Postgraduate students.
  • Faculty.
  • General practitioners.
  • Registered delegates.
  • Maximum 3 authors are permitted.
  • All authors must be registered for the conference.
  • All authors will be eligible for presentation certificates, subject to compliance with conference requirements

Poster Format

  • Only Electronic Posters (E-Posters) will be accepted.
  • Poster must be prepared as one PowerPoint slide.
  • Use 16:9 aspect ratio.
  • Resolution: 1920 × 1080 pixels.
  • Submit in JPEG format.
  • Have a maximum file size: 10 MB.
  • Be prepared entirely in English.
  • Be clear, concise, and visually organised The assigned presentation code must be displayed prominently in the upper right corner of the poster.

Presentation Time

2 min Poster Presentation

The presenter should focus on:

  • Background
  • Objective
  • Methodology / Case
  • Key findings
  • Conclusion
  • Clinical significance

Poster Evaluation Criteria

  • Originality and novelty
  • Scientific content
  • Relevance
  • Methodology / case documentation
  • Quality of findings
  • Clinical significance
  • Visual organisation
  • Clarity and conciseness
  • Oral explanation
  • Response to questions
  • The highest-scoring eligible poster will be considered for the Best Poster Award.

V. Category 3 – Delegate Award Paper Presentation

Eligibility

  • Faculty.
  • General practitioners.
  • Registered dental professionals/delegates.
  • The presentation should demonstrate significant scientific, clinical, or academic value.
  • Maximum 2 presenters are permitted.
  • Both presenters must belong to the eligible delegate category.
  • Both presenters must be registered for the conference.
  • Both presenters must be present during the presentation.

Time Allocation

6 min Scientific Presentation
2 min Question & Answer
8 min Total Time

Presentation Format

  • The presentation must be prepared in PowerPoint format.
  • PPT/PPTX format is recommended.
  • Presentation code must be displayed on the left-hand side of every slide
  • Presenter identity should not be revealed within the scientific presentation.
  • Suggested fonts: Arial / Times New Roman
  • Title: approximately 30 pt
  • Text: approximately 24 pt
  • Recommended maximum: approximately 5 lines per slide.

Evaluation Criteria

Criteria Suggested Weightage
Originality / Novelty 15%
Scientific methodology / Case quality 15%
Scientific significance 15%
Results / Clinical outcome 15%
Discussion and interpretation 10%
Clinical applicability 10%
Presentation quality 10%
Response to questions 10%
Total 100%

The presentation receiving the highest score according to the prescribed judging criteria will be considered for the Delegate Award Paper.

VI. Common PowerPoint Instructions

To avoid technical and compatibility issues:

  • Presentations should preferably be prepared using Microsoft PowerPoint.
  • PPT/PPTX format is recommended.
  • Speakers will not be permitted to use their own laptops/computers.
  • A PC and video projector will be provided at the venue.
  • Only fonts available in standard Windows installations should be used.
  • Recommended fonts are Arial and Times New Roman.
  • All videos and animations, if used, must be set to run automatically.
  • Presenters should test their presentation at the designated preview/ registration area, if provided.
  • The final presentation file must be submitted according to the instructions provided by the Scientific Committee.

VII. Presentation-Day Instructions

  • Presenters must report to the designated session room at least 30 minutes before the commencement of the session.
  • Presenters must remain available throughout their scientific session.
  • The presentation code allotted by the Scientific Committee must be used exactly as provided.
  • The allotted presentation time will be strictly enforced.
  • The Chairperson/Moderator may stop a presentation if the allotted time is exceeded.
  • All presenters must be present during the Q&A session.
  • Certificates will be issued only according to the category-specific eligibility requirements.

VIII. Judging & Awards

All scientific presentations will be assessed by a panel of judges appointed by the Scientific Committee.

Judges will independently assess the presentations using predetermined evaluation criteria.

  • Scientific merit
  • Originality
  • Methodological quality
  • Clinical relevance
  • Presentation skills
  • Time management
  • Ability to answer questions
  • In the event of a tie, the Scientific Committee may use the scores for scientific merit and originality as additional criteria.
  • The decision of the judging panel and Scientific Committee will be final.

Proposed Awards

🏆

Best Student Paper Award

🏆

Best Poster Award

🏆

Delegate Award Paper

Best Scientific Presentation

The Scientific Committee may decide to award certificates, trophies, or prizes according to the conference policy.

IX. DISQUALIFICATION

A presentation may be disqualified in case of:

  • Plagiarism or substantial similarity to previously published/presented work
  • Submission of fabricated or manipulated data
  • Failure to meet the eligibility criteria
  • Failure of the required author(s) to register
  • Failure to attend the presentation
  • Exceeding the prescribed number of authors/presenters
  • Submission of more than one presentation by the same delegate
  • Failure to follow the prescribed presentation format
  • Disclosure of presenter identity where anonymity is specifically required
  • Submission after the stipulated deadline
  • Any other violation of the Scientific Committee's instructions

Important Note

The Scientific Committee reserves the right to modify the presentation category, presentation schedule, or technical requirements if necessary for the smooth conduct of the scientific programme.

All participants are requested to strictly follow the latest instructions communicated by the Scientific Committee.