Research Impact
Our research has a major impact on oral health care education, policy and clinical practice. We deliver outcomes that matter to patients, students and clinicians.
Informing dental treatment and education
Our research findings flow into high quality research-led and research-informed education. They inform engagement with:
- the wider dental community
- patients
- the public
- industry
- other stakeholders
- policy-makers
Research that delivers clinical outcomes
We have a strong track record of seeing through many stages of research. We ensure the eventual output matters rather than being of academic interest.
One of our major research impacts informed global sugar consumption guidelines.
Training oral health researchers
As well as research impacts, we have a track record in successfully training PhD students. This includes many international students from around the world.
We have developed novel enzymes and agents for biofilm control. They are progressing through the translational pipeline.
Our biomarker research has identified novel biomarker signatures. These associate with periodontitis and the development of oral cancer. They are the subject of patent applications.
Our research on dental aerosols has influenced national guidelines on infection control in dentistry and helped keep dental clinics operating safely through the pandemic.
We're conducting studies involving:
- FiCTION
- RAINDROP
- Decennial Adult and Children’s Dental Health Surveys
- Oral health of older people
- Emergency hospital attendance by patients experiencing dental pain
- ENHANCE-D
- Bioaerosols
These studies have received support from commissioning, policy and professional organisations. They include NHS England, Public Health England and the British Dental Association.
They are changing policy and clinical practice across the world.
The key outcome for our research is better education of dental healthcare professionals. It feeds back into teaching and curriculum development at Newcastle and beyond.
Our members led a workshop at an international dental education conference. This leads to a toolkit, hosted by ADEE, intended for early career researchers.
We hosted a UK symposium on Dental Education Research. This led to formation of the British Alliance for Researchers in Dental Education and Scholarship (BARDES). It has grown in membership and now holds an annual conference.