The final round of Dentsply Sirona’s 20th Global Clinical Case Contest (GCCC) was held in Constance, Germany, with ten dental students from eight countries presenting complex restorative cases using the company’s materials and equipment. This year marked the first time that the competition awarded winners in two distinct categories: direct restorations and indirect restorations.
The 2025 edition of the contest received around 300 submissions from students representing 108 medical faculties worldwide. Approximately one-eighth of the cases involved indirect restorations, with the remainder focusing on direct restorations.
The finalists represented Brazil, China, Estonia, France, Russia, Taiwan, Thailand, and Germany. Each presented an anterior or posterior esthetic restoration to a three-member jury comprised of Dr. Britta Hahn of University Hospital Würzburg in Germany, Dr. Ian Cline of King’s College in the United Kingdom, and Professor Gaetano Paolone of the University of Milan in Italy.
For the first time, six winners were selected—three in each category.
In the “direct restorations” category, first prize went to Sofiia Grindenko from the Russian University of Medicine in Moscow. Her case involved a 32-year-old male patient who received direct composite restorations with full covering veneers using Neo Spectra® ST composites and Esthet-X® HD.
Second place was awarded to Yiting Chen from Capital Medical University in Beijing for a case involving a female patient with a fractured central incisor treated using Neo Spectra® and Prime&Bond Universal. Third place went to Ying Cheng Lu from Nation Cheng Kung University in Taiwan for a restoration of a fractured upper central incisor using Spectra® ST resin, Prime&Bond Universal, and Enhance Finishing.
In the “indirect restorations” category, Chuttaporn Dejdumrongwood from Chiang Mai University in Thailand won first prize for a case using digitally manufactured veneers to address esthetic and spacing concerns in a male patient’s maxillary anterior region. According to the company, the restoration involved CEREC Tessera™, Calibra® Veneer, and Prime&Bond® Universal.
Second place went to Beatrice Julia Popescu from Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz in Germany. Her case involved a 19-year-old patient with peg-shaped teeth and missing mandibular central incisors. The treatment included crowns, veneers, composite build-ups, and adhesive bridges using CEREC Tessera™ and CEREC MTL™ Zirconia.
Third place in the indirect category was awarded to Chang Guo from the Fourth Military Medical University in Xi’an, China. The case addressed discolored teeth affected by secondary caries and bruxism with veneers spanning teeth 12 to 22 using Spectra® ST, Celtra, Prime&Bond Universal, and Calibra® Veneer.
Jury member Dr. Britta Hahn said, “It’s remarkable how enthusiastically and precisely the students implemented their cases. Each finalist impressively demonstrated how CAD/CAM workflows and modern materials can be used to benefit patients—both esthetically and functionally—at a very high level.”
According to the company, several tutors returned to the contest this year after having previously mentored finalists.
“I really appreciate the support I receive from my university, from Dentsply Sirona, and through this competition,” said Sofiia Grindenko. “Winning is obviously a huge compliment for my work. But it's also a great motivation to continue striving to achieve the best possible esthetic outcomes for my patients in the future.”
“The Global Clinical Case Contest is an important part of our efforts in supporting young dental professionals early in their careers,” said Prof. Rainer Seemann, vice president chief clinical officer at Dentsply Sirona. “We aim to give future dentists confidence in using modern technology and enable them to deliver the best possible care right from the start of their clinical journey. We collaborate with universities around the world to develop innovative training programs to ensure the next generation remains at the forefront of research and clinical practice. This dental student case contest emphasizes Dentsply Sirona’s commitment to transforming dentistry and helping dental professionals move forward with confidence.”
The Global Clinical Case Contest has been held annually since 2004/2005 and is open to dental students enrolled at the time of submission. Cases must involve direct or indirect restorations and be documented with photographic evidence and academic supervision.
