Research Ethics Committee (REC)
The Research Ethics Committee (REC) at the Ain Shams University Faculty of Dentistry is the governing body responsible for ensuring that all dental research involving human subjects or animals is conducted according to international ethical and scientific standards.
It acts as a safeguard for the rights, safety, and well-being of research participants while maintaining the integrity of the faculty’s scientific output.
Core Mandate & Responsibilities
●Protocol Review: The committee meticulously reviews research proposals (Master’s theses, PhD dissertations, and faculty research) to ensure they comply with the Declaration of Helsinki and local Egyptian laws.
●Informed Consent: A primary focus is verifying that "Informed Consent" forms are transparent, understandable, and voluntarily signed by patients before any clinical trial or procedure begins.
●Risk-Benefit Analysis: The REC assesses whether the potential benefits of a study outweigh the risks to the participants, particularly in clinical trials involving new materials or surgical techniques.
●Ethical Approvals: No clinical research can be officially registered or published in reputable international journals without an Ethical Approval Code issued by this committee.
Submission & Process
●The Review Cycle: Researchers typically submit their protocols via the faculty’s postgraduate portal. The committee meets regularly to deliberate on submissions, often requesting modifications to ensure maximum patient safety.
●Documentation: Submissions usually require a detailed research protocol, patient information sheets, consent forms (in Arabic and English), and CVs of the principal investigators.
Significance for Students and Faculty
The REC plays a vital role in the faculty’s international ranking. By enforcing strict ethical codes, it ensures that research conducted at Ain Shams University is eligible for publication in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals and is recognized by the global scientific community.
Checklist of Required Documents
When applying for ethical approval for a Master's, PhD, or independent research project, you typically need to provide a folder containing:
●Request Form: A formal letter addressed to the Head of the Ethics Committee.
●Research Protocol: A full copy of your proposal (Introduction, Aim, Materials, and Methods).
●Informed Consent Form: Copies in both Arabic and English.
●Data Collection Sheet: Any surveys, questionnaires, or tables used to record patient data.
●CV of the Primary Researcher: Highlighting clinical experience related to the study.
●Supervisor Approval: A signed letter from your department head or primary supervisor.
●Evidence of Funding: Disclosure of whether the study is self-funded or sponsored.