General Dental Council registration has brought professional status to all dental care professionals, and with this comes new responsibilities of continually extending their knowledge and understanding. One way that this has been achieved by dental professionals is through carrying out research. Colgate in partnership with the Oral Dental Research Trust administer the Colgate DCP Research Awards in support of research of clinical relevance, conducted by dental care professionals, with special emphasis on preventive care.
There are many unanswered questions which still need addressing, notably in gaining the evidence required to carry out evidence-based practices. This may relate to everyday provision of clinical care, and in particular patient responses to treatment and advice. The Colgate DCP Research Awards offer all DCPs the opportunity to carry out their own research, even if research is something they have never been involved in previously. A research team can be made up of a general practice dental team including dental nurses, hygienists, technicians and therapists and may also include the dentist as a mentor or supervisor.
To date, all DCPs have been represented in a number of awards already made, covering a wide range of topics from evidence-based prevention of dentine hypersensitivity to the diagnosis and management of non-synostotic head deformities. Other areas that could be investigated include:
- Use and benefits of instructions to patients?
- What information are patients looking for?
- Use of different materials on outcomes.
- Incidence of post treatment sensitivity.
- Reasons for failure in restorations.
This list is in no way exhaustive but serves to demonstrate the need and opportunity for all members of the dental team to engage in research, and this DCP research initiative has been warmly welcomed at all levels.
Colgate and the Oral and Dental Research Trust are pleased to invite applications for the Colgate DCP Research Awards 2010. Four awards each to the maximum value of £2,500 will be made on the basis of an application of supporting investigations of clinical relevance, particularly in the field of preventive care. Whilst the applicant must be a DCP, it is anticipated that a research team will be formed to include a mentor or supervisor with an established research record.
Applications should consist of no more than two A4 pages summarising the background, aims and methodology of the research proposal and the role to be played by the applicant in the study. The way in which the award will support the investigation must be specified.
To celebrate the success of the awardees a champagne reception and luncheon will be held during the British Dental Association conference on May 20, 2010. Successful applicants will be required to attend this luncheon where they will be presented with their award.
Applications should be sent to
Dr Margaret Kellett
Honorary Secretary
Oral and Dental Research Trust, c/o Department of Periodontology, Leeds Dental Institute
Clarendon Way
Leeds LS2 9LU
or email p.howson@leeds.ac.uk. Applications should arrive no later than Friday, April 9.