Research

Research to tackle oral health inequalities.

The focus of research for UCL Dental Public Group includes:

Exploring the determinants and patterns of oral health inequalities in the UK and internationally.
Development and evaluation of complex community interventions to tackle oral health inequalities.
Development and evaluation of preventive interventions in general dental practices.
Development and testing of oral health-related quality of life measures.
Exploring shared aetiological pathways between oral and general health.
Exploring oral health determinants and outcomes over the life-course.

Research grant success

Adult Oral Health Survey

The UCL Dental Public Health group is a key partner in the consortium that was awarded the national Adult Oral Health Survey 2021 for England. The survey was commissioned by Public Health England and the overall contract is £608,000. Led by NatCen, the consortium also includes Newcastle University, KCL, University of Birmingham and the Office for National Statistics. We will follow a mixed-mode methodological approach (known as a ‘push-to-web’ strategy), using self-completion online and paper questionnaires, and will be collecting data between 18th February and 23rd March, with the aim of producing a data set in April 2021.

The impact of COVID-19 on oral health and use of dental services

This national study explored the oral health experiences of adults during the COVID-19 pandemic and in particular their use of dental services in the first UK national COVID-19 lockdown, via an anonymous online survey.

Current Projects

Improving Oral Health in People with Severe Mental Illness

Enabling Service Users with Severe Mental Illness to Learn about and Engage (SMILE) with Good Oral Health is a research project aiming to address the oral health inequalities in people with severe mental illness.

Together aims to assess if, how and when the Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities (SFSC) parenting programme improves the mental well-being of parents and their children. Together aims to assess if, how and when the Strengthening Families, Strengthening Communities (SFSC) parenting programme improves the mental well-being of parents and their children

The TOPIC study aims to promote the oral health of older adults living in care homes. We are a team of academics, practitioners and members of the public who are focused on assessing the feasibility of promoting oral hygiene and preventing oral diseases in older people in care homes, following the NICE guideline recommendations.

Recently Completed Projects

DART

An exploratory trial of brief alcohol advice in dental surgeries

Project Funder

National Institute of Health Research

Sponsor

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Principal Investigator

Professor Richard Watt

email: r.watt@ucl.ac.uk

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess the views of both dentist and patients about whether the idea of alcohol advice given by dentists is acceptable and how it could best be done.

Key Contact

Professor Richard Watt

Study Co-ordinator

Dr. Antiopi Ntouva

email: a.ntouva@ucl.ac.uk

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