Research
Oral health care
My research concerns the delivery and organisation of dental care and in public health programmes and policies which reduce inequalities in oral health. I am increasingly interested in the methodological and practical challenges involved in implementing community level interventions, both in the UK and globally. I have expertise in qualitative research as well as systematic review methodology, although my previous research has also involved clinical trials, quantitative and mixed methods. My research is usually interdisciplinary, involving insights and methods from economics, organisation studies, sociology and psychology. I have an interest in developing and applying theoretical perspectives from social science to the dental context.
Global Oral Health
My PhD was originally about the oral health of Vietnamese refugees which led to an interest in Khmer refugees and then in oral health programmes and strategy for Cambodia. I continue to have a global health interest and am working on a global review of the path to Universal Health Coverage for dental services.
Research grants
Targeted screening for atrial fibrillation in general dental practices using a portable ECG device
ORAL AND DENTAL RESEARCH TRUST (UK)
January 2022 - September 2022
An intervention using mental health support workers as link workers to improve dental visiting in people with severe mental illness: A feasibility study.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE (UK)
April 2022 - March 2024
NIHR ARC 2 national social care implementation projects
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE (UK), LCCG - LIVERPOOL CLINICAL COMMISSIONING GROUP (UK)
October 2019 - March 2026
InteRventions to rEduce inequaliTies in the Uptake of Routine deNtal care (RETURN)
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE (UK), LIVERPOOL UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS FOUNDATION TRUST (UK), ROYAL LIVERPOOL AND BROADGREEN UNIVERSITY HOSPITALS NHS TRUST (UK)
May 2018 - April 2025
The cost and value of different forms of information on oral health status and risk given to patients following a check-up in dental practice.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE (UK)
September 2014 - October 2019
Contracting with General Dental Services
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE (UK)
October 2010 - July 2014
A tooth-brushing intervention for pregnant women based on habit formation theory
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE (UK)
January 2017 - January 2021
Influence of the Patient Concerns Inventory in the communication of head and neck cancer patients with healthcare professionals across the socioeconomic gradient
MERSEYSIDE REGIONAL HEAD AND NECK CANCER (UK)
October 2015 - April 2020
Developing an intervention using automated cognitive processes activated by cues (situational features) or rewards to reduce inequalities in dental preventive visiting.
ORAL AND DENTAL RESEARCH TRUST (UK)
December 2014 - September 2020
Evaluation of a service re-design in general dental practice
OLDHAM PRIMARY CARE TRUST (UK)
April 2008 - December 2013
Increasing equity of dental access for under-served groups.
LIVERPOOL PRIMARY CARE TRUST (UK)
September 2013 - February 2015
Dental therapists in NHS Dentistry:'Developing an effective working model'
CENTRAL LANCASHIRE PRIMARY CARE TRUST (UK)
August 2007 - July 2010