Dental Data Science
We leverage medical and dental data to improve patient outcomes and experiences across the UK. Our work is guided by fairness, transparency, honesty, and equality and our research is underpinned by quality and excellence.
Aims
The aims of our research group include:
- undertaking biostatistics pedagogy research
- undertaking research into dental images and signals, including 3D surface imaging
- statistical analysis and research design support for staff and students in the School of Dentistry and beyond
- applying deep learning and artificial intelligence to problems in dentistry and related fields, and the developing underlying maths formalism of artificial intelligence
Research
Recent Grants Awarded
| Amount | Title | Applicant | Grant | Year of award |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £1140 | An Exploration of Functional Analysis of Dynamical Changes in Biological Shapes | Damian J.J. Farnell | Travel Grant from the London Mathematical Society. Awarded in June 2022 | 2022 |
| £9480 | How Do People Read “Designed To Smile” Information Leaflets? An Exploratory Mixed-Methods Approach | Damian J.J. Farnell | Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine (IPEM) as an Innovation Grant. Awarded in December 2021. | 2021 |
Projects
3D Surface Imaging and Shape Modelling
Our research group uses 3D facial imaging to explain facial variation (biological make-up, anatomy, facial surface morphology and function), and improve wellbeing and quantify facial variation for face-wear, facial identification, forensics and computer interface industries.
We also develop mathematical models of 3D facial shape, to achieve the aims above. For example, we developed a multilevel principal components analysis (mPCA) code that allows us to model different sources of variations at different levels of the model. Future directions will apply geometric deep learning to study shape representation and analysis.
COVID-19 bereavement
This joint study between universities in Bristol, Cardiff and beyond aims to understand the grief experiences and support needs of those who have been bereaved, either due to COVID-19 or another cause of death during the pandemic.
The study explores peoples' experiences and feelings of grief during their loved ones end of life, and what support they feel they needed, compared with what support they actually received.
Another survey was also carried out as part of this study to determine how bereavement services and support were affected during the pandemic.
The findings of this study were reported on ITV News, and Sky News.
Meet the team
Academic staff
Publications
- Davies, K. J. M. et al. 2022. Applying an automated method of classifying lip morphological traits. Journal of Orthodontics 49 (4), pp.412-419. (10.1177/14653125221106489)
- Polyanin, A. D. and Zhurov, A. I. 2022. Multi-parameter reaction–diffusion systems with quadratic nonlinearity and delays: new exact solutions in elementary functions. Mathematics 10 (9) 1529. (10.3390/math10091529)
- Davies, K. J. M. et al. 2022. The effect of maternal smoking and alcohol consumption on lip morphology. Journal of Orthodontics 49 (4), pp.403-411. (10.1177/14653125221094337)
- Harrop, E. et al. 2021. Support needs and barriers to accessing support: Baseline results of a mixed-methods national survey of people bereaved during the COVID-19 pandemic. Palliative Medicine 35 (10), pp.1985-1997. (10.1177/02692163211043372)
- Farnell, D. J. J. et al. 2021. An exploration of adolescent facial shape changes with age via multilevel partial least squares regression. Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine 200 105935. (10.1016/j.cmpb.2021.105935)
- Fernandes, L. et al., 2020. Endocrine therapy for the treatment of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis in luminal breast cancer: a comprehensive review. CNS Oncology 9 (4) CNS65. (10.2217/cns-2020-0023)
- Richmond, S. et al. 2020. Exploring the midline soft tissue surface changes from 12 to 15 years of age in three distinct country population cohorts. European Journal of Orthodontics 42 (5), pp.517-524. (10.1093/ejo/cjz080)
- Woolley, S. M. , Allen, M. and Medeiros-Mirra, R. 2020. Knowledge of sepsis risk and management amongst dental professionals in Wales: a service evaluation. British Dental Journal (10.1038/s41415-020-2022-8)
- Key, T. et al., 2020. Personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 crisis: a snapshot and recommendations from the frontline of a university teaching hospital. Bone and Joint Open 1 (5)(10.1302/2046-3758.15.BJO-2020-0027.R1)
- Xiong, Z. et al., 2019. Novel genetic loci affecting facial shape variation in humans. eLife 8 e49898. (10.7554/eLife.49898)
- Abbas, H. H. et al. 2019. An automatic approach for classification and categorisation of lip morphological traits. PLoS ONE 14 (10) e0221197. (10.1371/journal.pone.0221197)
- Weightman, A. et al. 2017. A systematic review of information literacy programs in higher education: effects of faceto- face, online, and blended formats on student skills and views. Evidence Based Library and Information Practice 12 (3), pp.20-55. (10.18438/B86W90)
- Mohd Nor, N. A. 2017. The impact of the downward adjustment of fluoride concentration in the Malaysian public water supply on dental fluorosis and caries. PhD Thesis , Cardiff University.
Recent PhD Graduates
Mr. Sam Evans
Project: the use of novel imaging techniques to investigate paediatric bruises, paediatric bruise reporting procedures, and factors influencing bruising in children. (2022).
Dr. Jennifer Galloway
Project: 3D facial shape analysis. (2021).
Dr Nor Azlida Binti Mohd Nor
Project: impact of fluoride concentration in water supplies on oral health. (2018).
Next steps
Research that matters
Our research makes a difference to people’s lives as we work across disciplines to tackle major challenges facing society, the economy and our environment.
Postgraduate research
Our research degrees give the opportunity to investigate a specific topic in depth among field-leading researchers.
Our research impact
Our research case studies highlight some of the areas where we deliver positive research impact.