Oral Health

Our Research

The oral health research at SDH and SLHD Oral Health Service is committed to advancing scientific knowledge and improving oral health of our patients. We strongly believe that oral health is an integral aspect of general health. Poor oral health is likely to exist when general health is poor, and vice versa (AHMAC 2001). Our focus moving forward is to be part of multidisciplinary health research to improve health and well being of our population.

Our Goals are:

To position Sydney Dental Hospital as a high-quality, multidisciplinary research institute in addition to its community service provider role.
To encourage research and promote a culture of evidence based clinical practice within OHS.
To strengthen and improve the integration of basic, translational, and clinical research.

Key research themes, by department, include:

Orthodontics
The Orthodontics department is a leader in the management of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea in Adults and Growing Patients. There is evidence that certain jaw discrepancies are closely related with breathing and sleep problems. However, there are very few studies on the short and long-term effects of the correction of jaw discrepancies on the treatment of sleep apnoea and potential cardiovascular diseases.

Our actual and future studies aim to investigate how significant early treatment of jaw discrepancies in growing patients and the use of oral appliances and jaw surgery in adults can help in treating OSA, and also its short and long-term side effects, particularly in cardiovascular diseases. Other areas of research include Orthodontic Tooth Movement and Root Resorption, Orthopaedic Functional Appliances in the treatment of Jaw Discrepancies, Effects of Mechanical Vibration on Tooth Movement, Root Resorption, Bone and Condylar Growth and Accelerated Tooth Movement.

Periodontology
The Periodontics department is currently investigating the responses to a number of treatment protocols for periodontal disease and implants, changes to the periodontal complex which occur around both natural teeth and implants in response to different treatments in both human and animal models and inter-relationship between periodontal disease and atherosclerosis-induced diseases, such as coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke and peripheral artery disease, as evidenced by multiple studies and meta-analyses. In Australia, moderate to severe periodontal disease currently occurs in approximately 23% of the adult population and its prevalence increases with age and will continue to do so as more older adults retain their teeth. If the successful treatment of periodontal diseases and maintenance of periodontal health has a positive effect on the systemic diseases mentioned above, this would have a beneficial effect on both the well being of the patients as well as on the financial burden of the health care system.

Other areas of research include investigating:

The efficacy of different mouthwashes on plaque formation and gingival inflammation
The use of piezocision to promote orthodontic treatment Histological changes initiated by piezocision
Efficacy of an air polishing device with a new powder in maintenance patients (SPT)
Changes to the health practices of both non-dental clinicians and patients with systemic disease such as HIV infection.

Oral Surgery and Diagnostic Imaging
The Department of Oral Surgery and Diagnostic Imaging has taken the lead role in training Oral Health staff in the management of medical emergencies, including developing the skills required to recognise, assess and provide treatment for someone who is deteriorating. The Department is also conducting research into how staff learn about medical emergency management, how well they retain the knowledge (given that it is not used often), and how the program be developed to best suit the needs of an outpatient health service. Other ongoing projects include looking at the role of bisphosphonates on dental treatment and B-cell Isotype Dysregulation in Pemphigus Vulgaris. The Diagnostic imaging is involved in research related to oral care for people with disabilities, the use of panoramic images as a potential indicator of undiagnosed thyroid disorder in symptomatic patients, pathology missed on panoramic radiographs and radiographic errors and quality of radiographs taken.

Forensic Odontology
We are addressing the challenge to the identification sciences within forensic science raised by the National Academy of Science Report of 2009. This challenges some of the underpinnings of identification sciences (bite marks, fingerprints, document examination, firearms examination). Among other recommendations was a call for validation studies. Two validation studies have been initiated in the field of forensic odontology. One involves skills in dental anatomy, with teeth collected in the Sydney Dental Hospital and The Canterbury Hospital used to make reproductions of teeth to assess skills in dental anatomy among students, practitioners and registered specialist odontologists. The second study is aimed at assessing skills in a core activity - matching antemortem and postmortem radiographs. This involves an online study which has been sent to all odontology organizations internationally. This study is still in the data collection phase. A third validation study aimed at assessing the skills of odontologists at age estimation using dental radiographs is planned.

Endodontics
Ongoing projects include an investigation into the amount of apical debris extruding in three rotary/reciprocating techniques of root canal preparation, a study into why tooth fail and are extracted within 12 months of the completion of the root canal treatment, a meta-analysis of treatment modalities employed in treating the endodontic emergency, an analysis of the effect of smoking on endodontic success and the uptake and utilization of endodontic treatment in metropolitan and regional AMS clinics. Recently completed research has involved surveys into the techniques and material used by Australian Endodontists, a survey into the endodontic techniques used by general practitioners in the state of Queensland, a meta-analysis of irrigant modalities used by dentists and endodontic specialists throughout Australia, the overall success rate of endodontic treatment carried out in a large teaching hospital, the long term success of various treatment modalities utilized in the pulp-capping of permanent teeth, procedural errors in endodontic procedures carried out by final year dental students and frequency of the presence of the MB2 canal in upper maxillary molars in private and specialist dental practice.

Population Oral Health
Midwifery Initiated Oral Health Program
Women during pregnancy are prone to dental problems which can contribute to adverse pregnancy and infant outcomes. Unfortunately only a third of Australian women consult a dentist during pregnancy with the main barriers being lack of dental awareness, high dental costs and limited emphasis on oral health during antenatal care. To address this issue a unique midwifery initiated oral health dental service (MIOH-DS) program is being developed to promote maternal oral health in Australia. This is a collaborative project between Centre for Applied Nursing Research (CANR) and Oral Health Service and an Australian first. The program involves training midwives to provide oral health education/assessment and referrals during early pregnancy and offering priority dental referral pathways. It is a randomised controlled trial of 641 pregnant women recruited from three metropolitan hospitals in Western and South-western Sydney.

The low uptake of dental services has been attributed to various barriers facing pregnant women such as cost, lack of awareness and misconceptions. However, recent research reveals that there are significant provider barriers that can further exacerbate the problem. A review has shown there is no clear consensus among dentists and prenatal care providers regarding oral health care during pregnancy. There is also limited emphasis being placed on oral health within maternity care in Australia. All these issues can further deter pregnant women from seeking dental care. To address these issues researchers from the Centre for Applied Nursing Research, Sydney & South Western Sydney Local Health District and University of Western Sydney are gathering information about the current knowledge, attitude and practices of dentists and prenatal care providers (general medical practitioners, midwives and obstetricians & gynaecologists) in NSW towards oral health care during pregnancy. The information gained will inform the development of practice guidelines in perinatal oral health for all health professionals in Australia.

Preventive / Interceptive Orthodontic Research (PrIOR)
Orthodontic problems (abnormal positioning of the teeth and jaws) may affect individual-s quality of life. Some minor orthodontic problems if intercepted in childhood or adolescence can be prevented from becoming severe in adulthood. Currently only severe conditions are eligible for treatment in Public Specialist Service and there is a lack of early treatment strategies. An innovative tool is being developed as part of PrIOR Project which will be a cost-effective strategy for delivering orthodontic care by public dentists who are not qualified in orthodontics. It will provide dentists- competence to monitor, diagnose, treat or refer the disadvantaged children in a timely manner

Key Achievements

The Midwifery Initiated Oral Health (MIOH) CPD program formally launched by the Australian College of Midwives nationally. The MIOH CPD program is being adopted by Tasmania Oral Health Services and promoted among midwives across the state. The MIOH oral health screening tool is being adopted into antenatal care practice by Queensland Health (Office of the Chief Dental Officer).

During 2018, the Department of Orthodontics published 10 scientific papers in the most eminent journal of the specialty. This included collaborations with other disciplines and universities. In addition, academic staff and registrars presented the results of the research in numerous national and international conferences.

Awards/Medals

2018 Best community and population health paper at the Ingham Institute Research Awards 29 Nov 2018. George A, Grace, R., Elcombe, E., Villarosa, A., Mack, H.A., Kemp L., Ajwani, S., Wright, D.C., Anderson C., Bucknall, N., Comino, E. (2018).
The oral health behaviours and fluid consumption practices of young urban Aboriginal preschool children in South-Western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Health Promotion Journal of Australia. 29(1): 23-30.
The Milton Sims Award for the most meritorious student awarded by Australian Society of Orthodontics Foundation for Research & Education to Dr Doreen Ng (2016 graduate)
Best poster award in the annual congress of the 2018 European Orthodontic Society, Edinburgh, Scotland. Research Title: "Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) on root resorption repair. A double-blinded, split mouth randomised control clinical trial (RCT). Chun M Ang Khaw, Oyku Dalci, M. Ali Darendeliler, Alexandra K. Papadopoulou
Dentsply Sirona prize for Best Oral Presentation by a Doctor of Clinical Dentistry student awarded to Dr Laura Leask at the University of Sydney / School of Dentistry Research Day.
The Australasian Academy of Paediatric Dentistry recently awarded 1st place to Dr Lloyd Hurrell, Specialist Paediatric Dentist, for a presentation addressing the rights of children in Australia to access general anaesthetic services for the management of early childhood caries.

Research Staff

Professor M. Ali Darendeliler. Professor and Chair, Discipline of Orthodontics & Paediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry / Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, and Head of Orthodontics Department, Sydney Dental Hospital/Sydney Local Health District.
Dr Oyku Dalci. Senior Lecturer, Discipline of Orthodontics & Paediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry / Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney.
Dr Alexandra Papadopoulou. Senior Lecturer. Discipline of Orthodontics & Paediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney.
Dr Lam Linda Cheng (P/T) Lecturer, Discipline of Orthodontics & Paediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney
Professor Axel Spahr, Head of Department -Periodontics
Dr Helen Carey, Staff Specialist
Dr Tihana Divnic-Resnik, Dentist, Senior lecturer
Dr Jess O'Neill, Specialist
Dr Marina Kamel, Registrar
Dr Harold Pradhan, Registrar
Dr. Harleen Kumar BDSc, DCD (Paediatric Dentistry)
Dr. Carrie Tsai (DMD, MPH)
Sophie Brown
Caitlin Deveridge
Rania El Gana
Professor David Manton BDSc, MDSc, FRACDS, FICD, PhD
Nicole Azizian
Mohamed Mohamud
Dr Suzanne Brent
William Buck
Brandon Chow

Higher Degree Students:

Ms Paula Sanchez- PhD (final year)
Dr Lam Cheng. PhD Candidate
Dr Nour Eldin Tarraf. PhD Candidate
Dr Raluca Baleanu PhD Candidate
Dr Narendar Manohar PhD
Ms Sophiya Dulal PhD
Mrs Reima Mansour PhD
Mr Prakash Poudel PhD
Dr Hosamaldein Kamel PhD
Dr Neha Sood MPhil Candidate
Mrs Christa Buckland MPhil

Publications and Presentations

Publication Details:

Ajwani, S, Sousa, M.S.,Villarosa, A., Bhole, S., Johnson, M., Dahlen, H.G., Hoolsema, J., Blinkhorn, A., Srinivas, R., Yaacoub, A., Milat, A., Skinner, J., George, A. (2018). Process evaluation of the Midwifery-initiated Oral Health Dental Service program: Perceptions of Dental Professionals. Health Promotion Journal of Australia doi: 10.1002/hpja.224
George, A., Villarosa A., Patterson, T., Farley, J., Dahlen, H., Ajwani, S., Bhole, S., Blinkhorn, A., Srinivas, R., Yaacoub, A., Milat, A., Skinner, J., & Johnson, M. (2018). Perceptions of pregnant women towards the Midwifery-initiated Oral Health Dental Service program: A Process evaluation. Australian Dental Journal. DOI: 10.1111/adj.12660
Dahlen, H.G., Johnson, M., Farley, J., Patterson N.T, Ajwani, S., Bhole, S., Blinkhorn, A, Ellis, S., Srinivas, R., Yaacoub, A., Milat, A, Skinner, J., George, A. (2018). Process Evaluation of the Midwifery Initiated Oral Health-Dental Service Program: Perceptions of Midwives. Women and Birth https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2018.06.021
George A, Grace, R., Elcombe, E., Villarosa, A., Mack, H.A., Kemp L., Ajwani, S., Wright, D.C., Anderson C., Bucknall, N., Comino, E. (2018) The oral health behaviours and fluid consumption practices of young urban Aboriginal preschool children in South-Western Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Health Promotion Journal of Australia. 29(1): 23-30. https://doi.org/10.1002/hpja.29
George, A., Dahlen, H., Blinkhorn, A., Ajwani, S., Bhole, S., Ellis E., Yeo, A., Elcome, E., Johnson, M. (2018) Evaluation of a midwifery initiated oral health-dental service program to improve oral health and birth outcomes for pregnant women: A Multi Centre Randomised Controlled Trial. International Journal of Nursing Studies. 82, 49-57. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2018.03.006
Abstracts Ajwani, S., Bhole, S., Anderson, C., Tastula C., Canham, B., George, A (2018) Oral care after stroke: perceptions of patients in Sydney. Journal of Dental Research, 97 (Special Issue B): (www.dentalresearch.org)
Sutherland K, Chan ASL, Ngiam J, Darendeliler MA, Cistulli PA. Qualitative assessment of awake nasopharyngoscopy for prediction of oral appliance treatment response in obstructive sleep apnoea. Sleep Breath. 2018 Dec;22(4):1029-1036.
Almuzian M, McConnell E, Darendeliler MA, Alharbi F, Mohammed H. The effectiveness of alternating rapid maxillary expansion and constriction combined with maxillary protraction in the treatment of patients with a class III malocclusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Orthod. 2018 Dec;45(4):250-259.
Tarraf NE, Darendeliler MA. Present and the future of digital orthodontics. Seminars in Orthodontics 2018; 24 (4): 376-85
Sutherland K, Chan ASL, Ngiam J, Dalci O, Darendeliler MA, Cistulli PA. Awake Multimodal Phenotyping for Prediction of Oral Appliance Treatment Outcome. J Clin Sleep Med. 2018 Nov 15;14(11):1879-1887. doi: 10.5664/jcsm.7484.
Chan E, Dalci O, Petocz P, Papadopoulou AK, Darendeliler MA. Author's response. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2018 Nov;154(5):616. doi: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2018.08.007. No abstract available.
Keles A, Lin CH, Keles E, Darendeliler MA. Rapid Palatal Expansion with the Keles Keyless Expander. J Clin Orthod. 2018 Nov;52(11):598-603.
Ozkalayci N, Karadeniz EI, Elekdag-Turk S, Turk T, Cheng LL, Darendeliler MA. Effect of continuous versus intermittent orthodontic forces on root resorption: A microcomputed tomography study. Angle Orthod. 2018 Nov;88(6):733-739.
Bakopoulou A, Hoang P, Fathi A, Foley M, Dunstan C, Dalci O, Papadopoulou AK, Darendeliler MA. A comparative histomorphological and micro computed tomography study of the primary stability and the osseointegration of The Sydney Mini Screw; a qualitative pilot animal study in New Zealand rabbits. Eur J Orthod. 2018 Oct 12. [Epub ahead of print]
Ang Khaw CM, Dalci O, Foley M, Petocz P, Darendeliler MA, Papadopoulou AK. Physical properties of root cementum: Part 27. Effect of low-level laser therapy on the repair of orthodontically induced inflammatory root resorption: A double-blind, split-mouth, randomized controlled clinical trial. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2018 Sep;154(3):326-336.
Chan E, Dalci O, Petocz P, Papadopoulou AK, Darendeliler MA. Author's response. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2018 Aug; 154(2):159-161.doi: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2018.04.009. No abstract available.
Ng DY, Chan AK, Dalci O, Petocz P, Papadopoulou AK, Darendeliler MA. A pilot study of laser energy transmission through bone and gingiva. J Am Dent Assoc. 2018 Aug;149(8):704-711.
Ng D, Chan AK, Papadopoulou AK, Dalci O, Petocz P, Darendeliler MA. The effect of low-level laser therapy on orthodontically induced root resorption: a pilot double blind randomized controlled trial. Eur J Orthod. 2018 May 25;40(3):317-325.
Chan E, Dalci O, Petocz P, Papadopoulou AK, Darendeliler MA. Physical properties of root cementum: Part 26. Effects of micro-osteoperforations on orthodontic root resorption: A microcomputed tomography study. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2018 Feb;153(2):204-213.
Wishney, M., Darendeliler, M. and Dalci, O., 2018. Craniofacial growth studies in orthodontic research-lessons, considerations and controversies. Australasian Orthodontic Journal, 34(1), p.61.
Wishney, M., Savage, T., Proschogo, N., Petocz, P. and Darendeliler, M., 2018. The metal content of generic orthodontic brackets compared with proprietary brackets. Australasian Orthodontic Journal, 34(2), p.163.
Wishney, M., Dalci, O., Petocz, P. and Darendeliler, M., 2018. The public perception of orthodontic treatment performed by general dentists and specialist orthodontists. Australasian Orthodontic Journal, 34(2), p.232.
Costello CJ, Sambevski J, Cheng LL, Darendeliler MA. Evaluation of the posterior airway space following orthopaedic treatment of mandibular deficient Class II malocclusion - a pilot study. Australasian Orthodontic J, 2018 May; 34: 11-16 1.
Arora A, Bowman CM, Chow SJP, Thepsourinthone J, Bhole S, Manohar N. A content analysis of Australian television advertising: focus on child and adolescent oral health. BMC Pediatrics 2018;18: 384.
Naghavi M, Marczak L, Kutz M, Shackelford KA, Arora M, Miller-Petrie M, Aichour MTE, Akseer N, Al-Raddadi R, Alam K, Alghnam SA, Antonio AT, Aremu O, Arora A, et al. Global Mortality from Firearms 1990-2016. JAMA 2018; 320: 792-814.
Poudel P, Griffiths R, Wong VW, Arora A, Flack JR, Khoo CL, George A. Perceptions and Practices of Diabetes Educators in Providing Oral Health Care. The Diabetes Educator 2018; in press (DOI: 10.1177/0145721718796055).
Dune T, Crnek-Georgeson K, Bidewell J, Firdaus R, John JR, Arora A. Tertiary health science students' development of reflexivity via e-Portfolios on communication skills. Journal of University Teaching & Learning Practice 2018; in press.
Poudel P, Griffiths R, Wong VW, Arora A, Flack JR, Khoo CL, George A. Oral health knowledge, attitudes and care practices of people with diabetes: a systematic review. BMC Public Health. 2018; 18: 577. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5485-7
Arora A, Al-Salti I, Murad H, Tran Q, Itaoui R, Bhole S, Ajwani S, Jones C, Manohar N. Adaptation of child oral health education leaflets for Arabic migrants in Australia: A qualitative study. BMC Oral Health 2018; 18: 10. DOI 10.1186/s12903-017-0469-z
Arora A, Manohar N, Bedros D, Hua APD, You SYH, Blight V, Ajwani S, Eastwood J, Bhole S. Lessons learnt in recruiting disadvantaged families to a birth cohort study. BMC Nursing 2018; 17(1): 7. Doi 10.1186/s12912-018-0276-0

Book Chapters:

Manohar N, MacMillan F, Steiner G, Arora A. (2018). Recruitment of Research Participants. In Liamputtong, P. (Ed.). Handbook of Research Methods in Health Social Sciences. Singapore: Springer. (In press).
Cavaleri R, Bhole S, Arora A. (2018). Critical appraisal of Quantitative Research. In Liamputtong, P. (Ed.). Handbook of Research Methods in Health Social Sciences. Singapore: Springer. (In press).

Presentations:

Ajwani, S., George, A. (2018) Oral health care in hospitals post cardiac event and stroke. Sydney Local Health District Innovation and Research Symposium 21st June 2018. Australian Technology Park (ATP), Eveleigh, Sydney.
Ajwani, S., George, A. (2018). Midwifery Initiated Oral Health Program (MIOH). SLHD 2018 Education and Training Forum Thursday 31 May, 2018. CEWD Rozelle campus.
Ajwani, S., Bhole, S., Anderson, C., Tastula C., Canham, B., George, A (2018) Oral care after stroke: perceptions of patients in Sydney. Journal of Dental Research, 97 (Special Issue B): (www.dentalresearch.org) international.
Darendeliler MA, Sleep Medicine Department Education Day - "Dental as Anything".
Darendeliler MA, Australian & New Zealand Society of Paediatric Dentistry (NSW) Scientific Meeting - "Timing of orthodontic intervention in mixed dentition".
Darendeliler MA, Australian Society of Orthodontics (ASO) Congress, Sydney Australia - "Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea in Adults & Children".
Darendeliler MA, University of Melbourne - Doctor of Clinical Dentistry Orthodontics students - "Management of Trauma".
Darendeliler MA, UAE International Dental Conference (AEEDC) / Dubai World Orthodontic Conference, Dubai UAE - "Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Children and Adults" and "Accelerated Tooth Movement: What is the Reality?".
Darendeliler MA, University of Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan - "Management of Trauma Cases with focus to ankylosed teeth"; "Management of Obstructive sleep apnoea in Adults and in children"; "Management of Vertical Dimension".
Darendeliler MA, 94th European Orthodontic Society (EOS) Congress, Edinburgh UK - "Effects of Micro-Osteoperforations and Piezocision on Orthodontic Tooth Movement: Split mouth, randomized controlled clinical trials".
Darendeliler MA, World Implant Orthodontic Conference (WIOC), Bali, Indonesia - " Long term effects of the use of TADs in class III patients".
Darendeliler MA, Visiting Professor at Airlangga University, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Surabaya, Indonesia - "Interdisciplinary treatment" and "Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea."
Darendeliler MA, Boychuk Memorial Speaker at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Alberta, Canada - "Can we accelerate the Orthodontic Tooth Movement".
Darendeliler MA, Boychuk Memorial Speaker at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Alberta, Canada, "What is the reality about the Orthopaedic Management of Class IIs".
Darendeliler MA, Boychuk Memorial Speaker at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Alberta, Canada ,"What is the reality about the Orthopedic Management of Class IIIs".
Darendeliler MA, Boychuk Memorial Speaker at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Alberta, Canada, "Management of Orthodontic Root Resorption".
Darendeliler MA, Boychuk Memorial Speaker at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Alberta, Canada, "Management of Vertical Dimension".
Darendeliler MA, Boychuk Memorial Speaker at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, School of Dentistry, Alberta, Canada,"Management of Trauma Presentations in 2018".
Darendeliler MA, Dental & Orthodontics Forum with Shanghai Qi-Mei Dental Hospital - "What is the reality about the Orthopaedic Management of Class IIIs".
Darendeliler MA, Dental & Orthodontics Forum with Shanghai Qi-Mei Dental Hospital - "Management of Vertical Dimension".
Darendeliler MA, Dental & Orthodontics Forum with Shanghai Qi-Mei Dental Hospital - "Management of Root Resorption.
Darendeliler MA, Shanghai ByBo Dental Hospital, Shanghai, China - "Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnoea".
Darendeliler MA, 2ND SNUSD International Conference for Future Dentistry, Seoul, Korea - "Digital Technology in Orthodontics".
Darendeliler MA, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand - "Management of Trauma".
Darendeliler MA, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand - "Management of Sleep Apnoea".
Papadopoulou A 15th International Symposium of the Greek Orthodontic Society - "Current advances in contemporary Class III treatment. How far can we push the limits?".
Papadopoulou A 15th International Symposium of the Greek Orthodontic Society - "Accelerating Tooth Movement. Fast and furious at what cost?".
Baker J, Raman S, George A, Dadich A, Kaplun C, Arora A, Best C, Zwi K, Schmied V, Eapen V, SPHERE Collaboration group. How to Optimise Refugee Children's Health/Wellbeing in Preparation of Transitions into Primary and Secondary School: A Qualitative Inquiry. The 7th Annual NHMRC Symposium on Research Translation, 27-28 November 2018, Sydney, Australia.
Poudel P, Griffiths R, Wong VW, Arora A, Flack JR, Khoo CL, George A. Oral health care and diabetes: perceptions and practices of diabetes educators in South-Western Sydney. Australasian Diabetes Congress 2018, ADS and ADEA Annual Scientific Meeting, 22-24 August 2018, Adelaide, Australia.
Manohar N, Hayen A, Arora A. Obesity and Dental Caries in Early Childhood: A Systematic Review of the Literature. The 96th General Session and Exhibition of the IADR, 25-28 July 2018, London, United Kingdom.
Arora A, Bhole S, Eastwood J, Manohar N. Mothers' Perspectives on Pre-school Children's Dietary Choices. The 96th General Session and Exhibition of the IADR, 25-28 July 2018, London, United Kingdom.
Poudel P, George A, Griffiths R, Wong V, Arora A, Flack, JR, Khoo CL. Current Practices and Perceptions of Diabetes Educators in Promoting Oral Health Care - A Qualitative Study. South Western Sydney Local Health District/Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research - Health Beyond Research and Innovation Showcase, 6-7th June 2018, Liverpool, Australia.
Dulal S, Hector D, Arora A. Infant feeding practices and the risk of overweight and/or obesity in children and adolescents: A systematic review of systematic reviews. South Western Sydney Local Health District/Ingham Institute for Applied Medical Research - Health Beyond Research and Innovation Showcase, 6-7th June 2018, Liverpool, Australia.
Dr Lloyd Hurrell, Specialist Paediatric Dentist, presented at the Australasian Paediatric Dentistry annual conference in Sydney, addressing the rights of children in Australia to access general anaesthetic services for the management of early childhood caries, 18th October 2018.

Research Grants

GRANTING BODY	AWARDEES	PROJECT TITLE	Grant total $	Years
Australian National Health and Medical Research Council.	Arora, A.	The common risk factor approach to assess relationships between dental caries and adiposity in disadvantaged preschool children.	$375,000.00	2014-2018
South Western Sydney Local Health District	Baker, J., Kohlhoff, K., Eapen, V., George, A., Arora, A., Al-Shammari, A.	Starting School Well: Optimising Refugee Children’s Health in Preparation of this Key Transition.	$20,000.00	2017-2018
Western Sydney University Partnership Grant (in collaboration with Sydney Local Health District)	Steiner, G., Hohenberg, M., Ee, C., Mcbride, K., Macmillan, F., George, E., Arora, A., Singh, K.	Revolutionising dementia care in South Western Sydney: Local requirements for a multidisciplinary memory clinic.	$20,000.00	2017-2018
Western Sydney University Partnership Grant (in collaboration with NSW Centre for Oral Health Strategy, Western Sydney Local Health District).	George, A., Poudel, P., Griffiths, R., Wong, V., Arora, A., Flack, J., Khoo, C.	Developing a Diabetes Oral Health Program for Diabetes Educators in Greater Western Sydney.	$5,000.00	2017-2018
Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research, and Enterprise.	Holmer, C., Arora, A., and 40 others	Maternal, Newborn, and Women’s Health.	$126,414.00	2017-2018
Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research, and Enterprise.	Eapen, V., Arora, A., and 106 others.	Early Life Determinants of Health.	$188,000.00	2017-2018
Sydney Partnership for Health, Education, Research, and Enterprise.	Simmons, D., Morris, M., Arora, A., and 100 others	Stemming the Tide: Better Health Outcomes in Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolic Disease.	$132,800.00	2017-2018
Western Sydney University Partnership Grant (in collaboration with Sydney Local Health District).	Arora, A., Bhole, S., Eastwood, J., Ajwani, S., Manohar, N. (2017-2018).	Reducing the burden of obesity and dental decay in young children using common risk factor approaches in health promotion.	$60,140.00	2017-2018
Western Sydney University Partnership Grant (in collaboration with Sydney Local Health District).	Manohar, N., Arora, A., Kolt, G, Hayen, A.	An investigation of dietary patterns and transitions in disadvantaged Australian preschool children: A Birth cohort study.	$30,000.00	2017-2020
NHMRC	Manohar, N., Arora, A., Kolt, G, Hayen, A.	An investigation of dietary patterns and transitions in disadvantaged Australian preschool children: A Birth cohort study.	$86,117.00	2017-2020
Australian Society of Orthodontics Foundations for Research and Education	DClinDent Orthodontics postgrads Research Thesis	12x DClinDent Orthodontic students	$24,000.00	2018
ASOFRE	Public awareness level of sleep Apnoea in Europe & Italy	Dr Doreen NG	$4,100.00	2018
ANZAOMS	Changing faces, changing lives? A preliminary investigation of the social outcomes of orthognathic surgery”;	Dr L. Lim, Dr C. Ashton-James, Prof. C. Peck, Prof. M.Ali Darendeliler, Dr O. Dalci, Dr A. Papadopoulou	$5,200.00	2018
Western Sydney University School of Nursing & Midwifery Partnership Program	Integrated Dental Care After Stroke (IDeAS): A Qualitative Study	Ferguson., C., Ajwani, S., George, A.	$13,972.00	2018-2019
Australian Society of Orthodontics Foundations for Research and Education	Perception of orthodontic treatment performed by general dentists	Dr Morgan WISHNEY,	$6,600.00	2018-2019
SLHD “The Pitch”	Smile, Sparkle, Shine – Quality Improvement project	Jeena Paul, Suzanne Brent	$10,000.00	2018-2019

Contact details for department

Head of Department: Dr Sameer Bhole

Department/Unit: Oral Health
Address:
Sydney Dental Hospital
2 Chalmers St
Surry Hills NSW 2010
Telephone: (02) 9293 3466
Facsimile: (02) 9293 3488
Web: www.slhd.nsw.gov.au/oralhealth/research
Email: shilpi.ajwani@health.nsw.gov.au