PhD Why is brushing teeth so hard? An exploration of oral hygiene behaviours to identify key drivers for change

About the Project

Despite improvements in recent years, dental disease remains prevalent in pockets of the general population with variations across the country. 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. Individual behaviours including frequent brushing with fluoride toothpaste and limiting sugar consumption are crucial for preventing dental decay from occurring and slowing down the progression of the disease. If individuals follow these beneficial behaviours, they can look after their teeth for life. Despite their importance, we know that individuals still face difficulties in following oral hygiene behaviours. Also, despite increasing knowledge around oral health behaviours we still lack in-depth understanding of the behavioural determinants influencing oral hygiene practices and the interplay between them and wider determinants of health. The main aim of this PhD opportunity is to explore and increase our understanding on why some individuals might struggle to follow beneficial oral hygiene behaviours. To achieve this main aim, a mixed methods approach is envisioned following key behavioural theories and frameworks. The following objectives will be in place: (a) mapping toothbrushing behaviour and oral hygiene behaviours using established behavioural frameworks to understand how the behaviour is first conceived, how it unfolds and what happens afterwards, (b) building on mapping exercise, use theory to explore the most appropriate behaviour change techniques to deliver lasting behaviour change to improve oral health outcomes, (c) understand mechanisms of action to tailor and target interventions to support oral hygiene behaviours and to improve oral health

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.

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

McNeil DW, Randall CL, Baker S, Borrelli B, Burgette JM, Gibson B, Heaton LJ, Kitsaras G, McGrath C, Newton JT. Consensus statement on future directions for the behavioral and social sciences in oral health. Journal of dental research. 2022 Jun;101(6):619-22.
Asimakopoulou K, Kitsaras G, Newton JT. Using behaviour change science to deliver oral health practice: a commentary. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology. 2023 Oct;51(5):697-704.
Kitsaras G, Asimakopoulou K, Henshaw M, Borrelli B. Theoretical and methodological approaches in designing, developing, and delivering interventions for oral health behaviour change. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology. 2023 Feb;51(1):91-102.