��«Ӱҵ

My main interest is child-centred dental research to improve the oral health and treatment experiences of children and their families. I have led, published and presented internationally and nationally many child-centred research projects and have become recognised as an advocate for involving children in high quality oral health research, using innovative participatory methods. I lead the Transforming Oral Health theme of the School of Clinical Dentistry and the joint University/NHS CREATE research theme.

My current projects include:

Self-help Cognitive Behavioural Therapy resource for young people with dental anxiety

I am the principal investigator on a project to develop and evaluate a self-help Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) resource for young people with dental anxiety. This project involved collaboration with Kings College London, University of Reading and University of Glasgow. This project resulted in the first self-help CBT resource for young people with dental anxiety and accompanying resources for parents and dental teams.

The CALM trial

Since then, from the NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme for the CALM trial to investigate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the self-help CBT resource to reduce dental anxiety in children seen in primary dental care.

CALM is being conducted in collaboration with universities in Cardiff, Leeds, Newcastle, London & York with help from children, parents, dental professionals and patient representatives. Around 600 children with dental anxiety with a parent/carer will be recruited from 30 dental practices across England and Wales.

BRIGHT Trial: Brushing RemInder 4 Good oral Health

I am co-PI on the BRIGHT Trial (Brushing RemInder 4 Good oral HealTh), funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme. BRIGHT is a evaluating the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a Short Messaging Service behaviour change programme to improve the oral health of young people living in deprived areas.

BRUSH: Optimising toothbrushing programmes in nurseries and schools

This project is investigating the implementation of supervised toothbrushing programmes in nursery and school settings and how to increase their uptake and success in the longer term.  The project will lead to the co-production of a toolkit to optimise their implementation across England.

Other projects

Public health research projects: Public Health Practice Evaluation Scheme - First Dental Steps

Collaborative networks

Internationally-funded research projects

Norwegian Research Council. #Care4YoungTeeth, 2022 - present