welcome

Behavioral Sciences and Health Services Research Group

Welcome to the BSHSR

The Behavioral Sciences and Health Services Research Group (BSHSR) is one of several groups of the International Association for Dental Research. The purpose of BSHSR is to promote and encourage research in the behavioral and social sciences and dental health services. These scientific areas include research on professions and public education, epidemiology of oral diseases and their prevention, behavioral studies of pain and anxiety, utilization of dental services, clinical decision analysis, evaluation of alternative treatments, delivery systems and their effects on oral health, as well as other subjects.

The Group has a membership of more than 350 professionals from multiple disciplines and is active in fostering excellence in behavioral, social and health services research through many mechanisms. The Group:

Organizes scientific posters, presentations symposia, workshops, and "Lunch and Learns" at meetings of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR).
Rewards outstanding contributions in its scientific area.
Organizes social events at meetings of the IADR
Assists the IADR in developing plans for its annual meetings
Publishes several newsletters to its membership annually
Maintains a Homepage on the World Wide Web describing its activities at http://faculty.washington.edu/grem/bshsr/.
Interacts with the leadership of the IADR on many levels 14.

Currently the Group rewards scientific accomplishments through 2 awards. The IADR Behavioral Sciences and Health Services Research Distinguished Scientist Award, recognizes meritorious research in the behavioral/social sciences and health services, and it is funded by the John O. Butler Company. The Giddon Award for Distinguished Research in the Behavioral Sciences recognizes a recent research paper published in the fields of social or cultural anthropology, education, psychology, psychiatry, sociology, or social worked applied to dentistry, an award made possible by a generous contribution from Dr. Donald B. Giddon.

The Group interacts extensively with other Groups in IADR. BSHSR often works with other Groups to co-sponsor scientific symposia and poster and oral presentation sessions. Members of BSHSR also are selected frequently to present or give posters in scientific sessions wholly sponsored by other Groups.

The Group interacts extensively with the leadership of the IADR. BSHSR members have served on IADR Committees and have been elected to IADR offices.

The BSHSR Group is open to any member of the IADR. BSHSR membership dues are $15 (US). The BSHSR especially encourages students to become members and participate in Group activities. Students can become members at no cost. New members are welcome to apply at any time of the year. IADR members may belong to as many Groups as they wish.

The BSHSR Group encourages all of its members to be active in the work of the Group. All members are welcome and encouraged to attend Business Meetings held during IADR meetings. Other opportunities to contribute to the Group include becoming an elected officer (nominations due around January of each year), helping to review abstracts submitted for the AADR and IADR meetings, serving on award selection committees and on other special workgroups. Interested members should contact any of the current BSHSR officers (listed on the Group’s home page) who can help explore opportunities for participation.

In its mission to promote oral research in the behavioral and social sciences and health services, BSHSR strongly encourages the submission of creative and high-quality abstracts describing research findings in presentations and posters for the annual IADR and AADR meetings. It also encourages suggestions for symposia - oral presentations along a cohesive theme of great interest to BSHSR and other IADR members. Ideas should be directed to the BSHSR Program Director or Symposium Coordinator. Symposia applications are usually due about July of each year, and abstracts for posters and oral presentations usually are due in September. Instructions for submission are distributed by newsletter from the IADR well in advance of the due dates.

We look forward to having you as a member of BSHSR!

Catherine Hayes

President