Dental Public Health Unit
Our research aims to inform and improve dental health and care across Wales and beyond, and contribute to the evidence base for effective preventive dental care.
Our research focuses on oral health improvement. Our portfolio of research ranges from clinical trials of preventive dental technologies, to studies designed to further understand, and address, oral health inequalities and projects to improve the delivery of dental care.
The COVID-19 pandemic, cost of living crisis, and issues around workforce recruitment and retention have created a “perfect storm” for the delivery of dental care. Access to NHS dental care is a major issue that is receiving significant media coverage, with newspaper headlines relating to “dentistry in crisis” or “DIY-dentistry” dominating the media in 2022.
We are involved in a range of research projects which aim to enhance the evidence base for improving oral health and delivering dental care. While our work is based in Wales and we have a particular interest in oral health in the Principality, our collaborations and the outcome of our work is of relevance locally, nationally and internationally.
Aims
Our aim is to undertake research from a population perspective, which will:
- inform dental health and care need in Wales and beyond
- contribute to the evidence base for effective preventive dental care
- change how dental care is delivered to maximise benefit for patients and public
Projects
Collaborators
We collaborate with a number of organisations and partners to achieve our research aims, including:
Public Health Wales
We work closely with colleagues in Public Health Wales to ensure a seamless approach to the translation of research evidence into oral health improvement and service delivery in Wales.
Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, Community Dental Service
We work with colleagues in the Community Dental Service on the delivery and evaluation of preventive dental programmes.
Wales Primary and Emergency Care Research Centre (PRIME)
The Oral and Dental Research Package in the PRIME Centre is led by the Dental Public Health team.
Meet the team
Academic staff
Publications
- Barnes, E. , Bullock, A. and Chestnutt, I. G. 2022. ‘It’s their mouth at the end of the day.’: Dental professionals’ reactions to oral health education outcomes.. British Dental Journal (10.1038/s41415-022-4978-z)
- Cope, A. L. et al. 2022. The development and application of a chairside oral health risk and need stratification tool in general dental services. Journal of Dentistry 123 104206. (10.1016/j.jdent.2022.104206)
- McKenna, G. et al., 2022. uSing rolE-substitutioN In care homes to improve ORal health (SENIOR): a study protocol. Trials 23 (1) 679. (10.1186/s13063-022-06487-3)
- Scott, H. et al., 2022. A qualitative exploration of decisions about dental recall intervals. Part 2: perspectives of dentists and patients on the role of shared decision making in dental recall decisions. British Dental Journal (10.1038/s41415-022-4046-8)
- Scott, H. et al. 2022. A qualitative exploration of decisions about dental recall intervals. Part 1: attitudes of NHS general dental practitioners to NICE Guideline CG19 on the interval between oral health reviews. British Dental Journal 232 , pp.327-331. (10.1038/s41415-022-3998-z)
- Elyousfi, S. et al., 2022. Acceptability of the Brushing RemInder 4 Good oral HealTh (BRIGHT) trial intervention: a qualitative study of perspectives of young people and school staff. BMC Oral Health 22 44. (10.1186/s12903-022-02073-w)
- Ahmad, A. et al., 2021. Assessment of fluoride and pH levels in a range of ready-to-drink children’s beverages marketed in Malaysia. Archives of Orofacial Sciences 16 (2), pp.177-189. (10.21315/aos2021.16.2.8)
- Mohd Nor, N. A. et al. 2021. Factors associated with dental fluorosis amongst Malaysian children exposed to different fluoride concentrations in the public water supply. Journal of Public Health Dentistry 81 (4), pp.270-279. (10.1111/jphd.12448)
- Marshman, Z. et al., 2021. Development of a secondary school‑based digital behaviour change intervention to improve tooth brushing. BMC Oral Health 21 546. (10.1186/s12903-021-01907-3)
- Gupta, A. et al., 2021. Formulation and fluoride content of dentifrices: a review of current patterns. British Dental Journal (10.1038/s41415-021-3424-y)
- Mohd Nor, N. A. et al., 2020. The impact of stopping or reducing the level of fluoride in public water supplies on dental fluorosis: a systematic review. Reviews on Environmental Health 35 (4), pp.419-426. (10.1515/reveh-2019-0059)
- Barnes, E. et al. 2020. A whole-team approach to optimising general dental practice teamwork: development of the Skills-optimisation Self-evaluation Toolkit (SOSET). British Dental Journal 228 , pp.459-463. (10.1038/s41415-020-1367-3)
- Barnes, E. et al. 2020. Dental therapists in general dental practice. A literature review and case study analysis to determine what works, why, how and in what circumstances. European Journal of Dental Education 24 (1), pp.109-120. (10.1111/eje.12474)
Teaching and training
Members of unit are responsible for teaching and training in Dental Public Health at all levels.
All current Consultants and Hon Consultants in Dental Public Health in Wales have trained in the unit.
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.