PhD Inclusivity and representation in oral health promotion

About the Project

Despite improvements in recent years, dental disease remains prevalent in pockets of the general population with variations across the country. Current prevalence of dental disease in children and adults is closely related to levels of deprivation in underserved communities of high need. In those communities and for those suffering with dental disease,

dental decay can cause unnecessary pain, sleepless nights, and loss of productivity and result in significant costs for individuals and the health service. Recent inability to secure dental access further exacerbates the problem. Oral health promotion programmes at the local, regional and national levels need to be able to reach those who are most in need, to tailor and personalise support to address the intended audience’s circumstances and to proactively engage with them to ensure that the right message and support is delivered in a timely and attractive manner. Despite the importance of inclusive and representative approaches in oral health promotion there are still a lot of unanswered questions.

The main aim of this PhD is to explore and increase our understanding on best practices to ensure an inclusive and representative approach when developing, delivering and evaluating oral health promotion programmes at the community level. To achieve this main aim, a mixed methods approach with a strong participatory element is envisioned. The following objectives will be in place: (a) increase our understanding of what is available at the local level and how communities engage with it, (b) explore barriers and facilitators in engaging with available resources, (c) co-design and co-develop resources for community engagement programmes in oral health promotion.

Eligibility

Applicants are expected to hold (or be about to obtain) a minimum upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in psychology, public health, child development sciences, and other health-related disciplines. Experience in quantitative research (data collection and analysis) as well as qualitative research methodologies will be very welcome. Interest in applying theories of behaviour change, psychology-applied to dentistry and a general understanding of key frameworks will be very welcome.

How to Apply

For information on how to apply for this project, please visit the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Doctoral Academy website https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/apply/. Informal enquiries may be made directly to the primary supervisor.

For international students, we offer the opportunity for you to undertake an accredited teaching certificate whilst carrying out your research with our PhD with Integrated Teaching Certificate. We also offer self-funded international students the chance to study a master’s before progressing onto a PhD with our Integrated PhD. Visit our international postgraduate researchers page to find out more.

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of The University of Manchester, and is at the heart of all of our activities. The full Equality, diversity and inclusion statement can be found on the website Website

Funding Notes

Applications are invited from self-funded students. This project has a Band 1 fee. Details of our different fee bands can be found on our website View Website

References

Goodwin M, Emsley R, Kelly MP, Sutton M, Tickle M, Walsh T, Whittaker W, Pretty IA. Evaluation of water fluoridation scheme in Cumbria: The CATFISH prospective longitudinal cohort study. Public Health Research. 2022 Nov 14;10(11):1-86.
Kitsaras G, Boothman N, Gomez J, Goodwin M, Muzammil M, Walsh T. Exploring the potential of a school brushing program using a connected brush in underserved areas: a feasibility cluster randomised trial. BMC Oral Health. 2025 Feb 11;25:223.
Moore D, Nyakutsikwa B, Allen T, Lam E, Birch S, Tickle M, Pretty IA, Walsh T. Effect of fluoridated water on invasive NHS dental treatments for adults: the LOTUS retrospective cohort study and economic evaluation. Public Health Research. 2024 May 21;12(5):1-47.