Rate My Professor Alison Meldrum

Alison Meldrum is Honorary Associate Professor in the Department of Oral Sciences within the Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Otago. She holds the degrees of BDS and MDS from the University of Otago. Throughout her career at the University of Otago, she has served in various roles, including Senior Lecturer, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies in the Faculty of Dentistry, and Head of the Discipline of Paediatric Dentistry. In 2022, she was promoted to Associate Professor in the Department of Oral Sciences. Her research focuses on student learning and acquisition of knowledge in dentistry, the allied dental professionals workforce, and childhood caries. She is affiliated with the Sir John Walsh Research Institute and contributes to dental epidemiology and public health research.

Meldrum's publications span dental education, paediatric oral health, and workforce studies. Key works include 'Remineralization potential of dentifrices with calcium sodium phosphosilicate and functionalized tri-calcium phosphate in the deeper incipient carious lesions: An in vitro study' (Clinical & Experimental Dental Research, 2024), 'Dental and oro-facial features of Foetal Anticonvulsant Syndrome' (New Zealand Medical Journal, 2023), 'Comparison of self-perceived competence of recent dental graduates from the Universities of Otago and Dalhousie' (European Journal of Dental Education, 2023), and 'Working characteristics for practising dental hygienists in two countries in different hemispheres' (International Journal of Dental Hygiene, 2022). Earlier publications address topics such as the working practices and job satisfaction of dental hygienists and therapists in New Zealand (2006, 2007), effects of environmental tobacco smoke on preschool oral health (2017), and interprofessional education initiatives in dentistry and oral health (2020, 2021). Her research output includes 41 publications with 458 citations. She has supervised doctoral students in areas like childhood caries and oral health in special needs populations.