“Genetics, epigenetics, and the environment” is often used to describe a complex that results in the production of a phenotype; the latter two usually blamed with missing heritability. We know that the environment affects dental development and dental caries susceptibility, but we have little information about the precise molecular mechanisms linking the environment to observed phenotypes. This study interorgates the role of epigenetics in dental development and dental caries.
The Effectiveness Of Consuming Fluoridated Water In Reducing Children's Caries Experience.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$507,090.00
Summary
The extent to which water fluoridation has contributed to the considerable reduction of dental decay in children in recent times in Australia is unclear, due perhaps to the increasing availability of fluoride in other sources such as toothpaste, drops, tablets, and professional applications. It is proposed to monitor for approximately three years a sample of 23,140 primary and secondary school children to examine the precise contribution of consuming fluoridated water to new tooth decay. The pro ....The extent to which water fluoridation has contributed to the considerable reduction of dental decay in children in recent times in Australia is unclear, due perhaps to the increasing availability of fluoride in other sources such as toothpaste, drops, tablets, and professional applications. It is proposed to monitor for approximately three years a sample of 23,140 primary and secondary school children to examine the precise contribution of consuming fluoridated water to new tooth decay. The project also aims to examine the comparative role of diet, toothbrushing, socioeconomic status, and other factors in the development of tooth decay. Given the widespread fluoridation of water supplies in Australia, and the continuing public debate over the extent of its effectiveness in preventing tooth decay, one of the project's most significant features is its capacity to contribute to a calculation of the cost effectiveness of water fluoridation as a public health strategy for the reduction of decay experience in children. The findings of the project will provide a strong argument for either eliminating fluoride from the water supply due to it's negligable public benefit or extending water fluoridation to the remaining quarter of the Australian population who are currently being disadvantaged by not having access to the health benefits derived from consuming fluoridated water.Read moreRead less
The Relationship Between Genes, Environment And Oral Disease In Childhood - A Study Of Twins
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$88,766.00
Summary
Half of Australia's children suffer tooth decay, placing them at risk of toothache, infection and hospitalisation, as well as a host of other problems like sleeping, eating and concentrating. Current preventive strategies are failing, due to an incomplete understanding of the causes of decay. This study of twins, who have been followed since pregnancy, will help to explain the role of genetics as well as other factors such as maternal and early childhood illness in dental disease.
Development Of Antimicrobial Peptides Targeting Oral Pathogenic Bacteria
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$663,350.00
Summary
The bacterial associated oral diseases; periodontitis and caries are major public health problems. The prevalence of these diseases and increasing bacterial antibiotic resistance has meant there is a need to develop new therapies. This project addresses this by modifying a novel class of antibiotics/antiseptics �antimicrobial peptides� to target oral bacteria and testing them using a newly developed screening method. This project will lead to new therapies for periodontitis and caries.
Minimally Invasive Approach To Manage Early Childhood Caries In Aboriginal Preschoolers
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,488,220.00
Summary
The treatment of dental decay in young children is often undertaken in a hospital, which is costly and risky. A treatment approach tested among a non-Aboriginal preschool population in WA, using hand instruments only and without the use of local anaesthesia, showed nearly a ten-fold reduction in the need for specialist dental care. This study will test the effectiveness of dental treatment of preschool children in rural and remote Aboriginal communities, using the alternative approach.
Determinants Of Inequality In Child Oral Health At School Age–A Prospective Cohort Study
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,229,853.00
Summary
This study aims to examine effects of socioeconomic circumstances as determinants of child oral health conditions, which can be mediated by dietary patterns, use of fluoride and dental service.
Understanding Influences On Oral Health Of Contemporary Australian Children
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$408,388.00
Summary
This study will contribute to an understanding of the factors affecting child oral health. Findings will have scientific value and relevance for the policy-making process in developing new methods of oral health prevention to target modifiable factors that will lead to improvement of oral health of children
Impact Of Health Policy On The Delivery Of Dental Services And Child Oral Health Outcomes
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,304,799.00
Summary
This project will study the use of dental services by children and adolescents in Australia and how use relates to oral health outcomes. Variation in the support for the use of private dentists and the organisation and delivery of school dental services will be compared both within and across all states and territories so as to inform policy discussions on how to best improve child oral health.
A Longitudinal Controlled Study To Prevent Early Childhood Caries From Ages 0-6 Years In A Disadvantaged Community In Queensland
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$695,788.00
Summary
Rampant dental decay in young children is very difficult to prevent. The study will follow a group of high risk children from birth to 6 years of age to test the effectiveness of antibacterial and remineralising agents to prevent dental decay. Our early results showed that these agents have good potential for removing decay-causing bacteria and preventing dental cavities. We expect our long term results will yield valuable information for dental prevention for young children worldwide.
Tooth Emergence And Oral Streptococci Colonisation: A Longitudinal Study Of Australian Twins
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$521,600.00
Summary
We plan to include over 500 Australian families of twins in this 5-year study and to collect records of tooth emergence, cheek cells for DNA analysis, dental plaque samples for microbiological analysis, as well as other information from questionnaires. Firstly, we want to learn how genetic and non-genetic factors influence the timing and sequence of emergence of primary (baby) teeth. Most children get their baby teeth between the ages of 6 months and 2.5 years, but sometimes they appear earlier, ....We plan to include over 500 Australian families of twins in this 5-year study and to collect records of tooth emergence, cheek cells for DNA analysis, dental plaque samples for microbiological analysis, as well as other information from questionnaires. Firstly, we want to learn how genetic and non-genetic factors influence the timing and sequence of emergence of primary (baby) teeth. Most children get their baby teeth between the ages of 6 months and 2.5 years, but sometimes they appear earlier, even at birth, and some children don't get all their baby teeth until about 4 years. By studying identical twins and non-identical twins we will be able to work out whether genetic factors are most important in determining this variation or whether other factors such as diet or illness also play a significant role. Secondly, we want to find out whether there is a relationship between the timing of emergence of the primary teeth and the growth of bacteria in the mouth that may lead to dental decay. It seems that the most likely source of the bacteria that can cause dental decay is a baby's mother and that children infected before three years of age are more likely to get dental decay subsequently. We will determine when decay-producing bacteria first appear in the mouth and check whether the same types of bacteria are present in twins and their mothers. This information will enable us to sort out whether the process that allows bacteria to become established around the teeth has a strong genetic basis or not. If we can gain a better understanding of how genetic and environmental factors influence dental development, we will be in a better position to manage individuals with altered tooth emergence that can lead to crowded teeth. Furthermore, if we can demonstrate a link between tooth emergence, growth of oral bacteria, and development of dental decay, we should be able to determine the most effective time to introduce preventive measures to control dental disease.Read moreRead less