The CCRE for Oral Health will focus on the prevention and treatment of oral diseases and disorders and their clinical consequences. Research will emphasise three areas of clinical care that are critical to the management of oral health, systemic health and general well-being: 1.Primary prevention to prevent disease onset 2. Diagnosis and risk prediction for oral conditions 3. Clinical intervention
Characterization Of A Novel Secretion System Necessary For Porphyromonas Gingivalis Virulence.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$596,412.00
Summary
In this study we will characterize a novel bacterial secretion system that we have discovered. This sytem mediates the secretion of proteins from the bacterial cell and their attachment to the cell surface. This system is essential for the virulence of Porphyromonas gingivalis, a bacterium associated with chronic periodontitis. The chacterization of this system may offer opportunities for the development of new treatments to target this disease.
Self-perceived Oral Health Needs In Small Rural Communities In New South Wales
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$40,000.00
Summary
Residents of rural and remote NSW have more extractions, less focus on preventive oral heath care and lower dental satisfaction scores than metropolitan residents. There are fewer dentists in rural areas and waiting lists are lengthy. The profession must optimise the use of its limited resources in such areas to maximise the oral health care of residents. The opinions of rural and remote residents have not been considered previously. This project will determine individual and community perceptio ....Residents of rural and remote NSW have more extractions, less focus on preventive oral heath care and lower dental satisfaction scores than metropolitan residents. There are fewer dentists in rural areas and waiting lists are lengthy. The profession must optimise the use of its limited resources in such areas to maximise the oral health care of residents. The opinions of rural and remote residents have not been considered previously. This project will determine individual and community perceptions of oral health to inform the development of a community-centred oral health program.Read moreRead less
The Impact Of Declining Tooth Loss On Oral Health Status And Dental Care Utilisation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$144,375.00
Summary
Improved oral health has been well documented in Australia. Over recent decades the average number of decayed teeth among children has decreased. Among adults, the percentage with no natural teeth has also exhibited a decrease over time. While increased retention of natural teeth is an indicator of improved oral health status within the population, there may be some unexpected consequences of this success. Improved oral health has been associated with increased rather then decreased use of servi ....Improved oral health has been well documented in Australia. Over recent decades the average number of decayed teeth among children has decreased. Among adults, the percentage with no natural teeth has also exhibited a decrease over time. While increased retention of natural teeth is an indicator of improved oral health status within the population, there may be some unexpected consequences of this success. Improved oral health has been associated with increased rather then decreased use of services. Improvements in oral health manifested in the form of greater tooth retention, coupled with demographic trends towards growth in the population, may lead to an increased risk of oral disease with flow on effects on need and demand for care. Findings from one cross-sectional study in the USA have shown that people who retained higher numbers of teeth had more periodontal disease and dental caries experience, and reported a past pattern of visiting the dentist more frequently. The specific aims of this project are to examine the association of the number of natural teeth among middle-aged Australians with their oral health status, treatment needs and subsequent use of dental services. The outcome of this project will provide answers to two research questions. Firstly, it will see whether the retention of more teeth among adults is associated with higher levels of oral disease. Secondly, by following people over time it will be able to detect whether those who are retaining more teeth into adult age ranges have higher levels of use of dental services than their counterparts with fewer teeth. The answers to both of these research questions has significance for policy and planning in the area of dental public health by providing evidence as to the size and direction of expected future demand for and use of dental services in Australia.Read moreRead less
Dental Care And Oral Health For The Indigenous Communities Of South Australia's Mid-north
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$100,000.00
Summary
Improving access to dental services and oral health for Indigenous communities is a high priority. This project will initially involve the evaluation of oral health programs for Indigenous children in Port Augusta. This will guide the planning and implementation of programs for the other age groups and for the remote communities serviced by Pika Wiya Health Service. In addition, the project group will investigate the appropriateness of the developed strategies for implementation in other communi ....Improving access to dental services and oral health for Indigenous communities is a high priority. This project will initially involve the evaluation of oral health programs for Indigenous children in Port Augusta. This will guide the planning and implementation of programs for the other age groups and for the remote communities serviced by Pika Wiya Health Service. In addition, the project group will investigate the appropriateness of the developed strategies for implementation in other communities.Read moreRead less
Early Childhood Caries: A Longitudinal Study Measuring The Risk And Protective Factors In Infants 1-18 Months Of Age
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$123,736.00
Summary
Dental decay affects 70% of Australian children, with children in rural areas being worse off. This study will describe the natural history of dental decay from birth to 18 months and will examine the environment, behaviours and biology that these infants are exposed to over time. Although families will benefit most from this research, the study contributes uniquely to our knowledge of decay in young children and will directly inform population health and targeted programs of care.
Identification Of Porphyromonas Gingivalis Genes Required For Iron/haem Acquisition And Biofilm Formation
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$476,836.00
Summary
Periodontal diseases are some of the most common bacterial diseases of humans and along with dental caries, account for approximately 90% of all tooth loss in the Australian population. A recent survey of oral health in Australia found that in the 30-34 age group over 20% of people had moderate to severe periodontal disease, indicating that periodontitis is a major public health problem. Specific bacteria, especially Porphyromonas gingivalis, that grow as bacterial biofilms (dental plaque) cause ....Periodontal diseases are some of the most common bacterial diseases of humans and along with dental caries, account for approximately 90% of all tooth loss in the Australian population. A recent survey of oral health in Australia found that in the 30-34 age group over 20% of people had moderate to severe periodontal disease, indicating that periodontitis is a major public health problem. Specific bacteria, especially Porphyromonas gingivalis, that grow as bacterial biofilms (dental plaque) cause periodontal disease. In this study we will utilise the latest technology available to determine which genes of the bacterium are important for biofilm growth, iron acquisition and virulence in an animal model. We will investigate how the bacterium acquires iron, as there is usually little available iron for bacterial growth on human tissues and the ability of the bacterium to free itself from this iron limitation is associated with pathogenicity. The determination of the role of iron availability in biofilm formation and virulence of the bacterium will help us to understand the changes that occur in the initiation of disease and may allow the development of early intervention strategies. The significance of this work is that we will gain an understanding of how this bacterium functions as an opportunistic human pathogen. We will determine which genes are essential for growth as a biofilm and to produce disease in an animal model. This will enable the development of therapeutic and prophylactic interventions targeted to specific bacterial gene products required to produce disease.Read moreRead less
The Impact Of Insurance On Use Of Dental Services And Oral Health
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$203,616.00
Summary
Dental problems are very common in the Australian population, and health expenditure on dental services is large. This project addresses the impact of dental insurance on use of dental services and oral health outcomes to investigate the effect of insurance on dental visit patterns and mix of dental services provided, and examine how the cost of dental care is related to outcomes such as tooth loss and quality of life.
Natural History And Longterm Impact Of Dental Fluorosis
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$345,184.00
Summary
Dental fluorosis is an important aspect of oral health because: perception and concerns about fluorosis influence perspective and success of fluoride programs; and advices on fluoride use are based on a risk-benefit tradeoff. This study is expected to report changes in fluorosis, its longterm impact and evaluate fluorosis and caries trade-off. This will be the first study of the natural history of fluorosis. Findings will have significance for individuals, dental profession and health policy.