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Improving oral health for older adults

School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences | PHD
Funding
Unfunded
Reference Number
SMED-2201-1058
Application Deadline
None specified
Start Date
None specified

Overview

Changes in oral health mean that clinicians are now faced with a partially dentate older population who are very susceptible to dental disease. This project will actively work with patients and healthcare providers to develop and test interventions to improve oral health in this population

Epidemiological changes have meant that the majority of older adults now retain their natural teeth, giving rise to a partially dentate older population who are very susceptible to dental disease as their ability to manually clean their teeth declines. Currently the oral health of care home residents is significantly worse than their community living peers, with a very high prevalence of dental caries and periodontal disease. This results in pain, discomfort and negative impacts on oral function and quality of life. Poor oral health may also exacerbate a range of medical conditions including aspiration pneumonia and delirium, increasing healthcare costs and leading to poorer overall outcomes.

This project will aim to aim oral health in older adults by exploring interventions in partnership with patients and healthcare providers

Project Summary
Supervisor

Dr Gerry McKenna

Mode of Study

Full-time: 3 Years/ 4 Years

Register your interest

Medicine overview

The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences trains ~350 postgraduate research students undertaking PhD, MD and MPhil degrees in Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Experimental Medicine, Public Health, Medical Education and Dentistry each year. Its diverse postgraduate student population comprises both basic and clinical scientists from across the globe engaged in wide-ranging research projects spanning the breadth of the School’s research portfolio from traditional population-based epidemiology to 'big data' science and bioinformatics, through molecular and cell biology to clinical trials. Reflecting our commitment to gender equality, we hold prestigious School and Institutional Athena Swan Gold Awards.

Medicine Highlights
Industry Links
  • The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences promotes close collaborative interaction with local and global biotechnology companies, such as Almac, Randox, Life Technologies, and Illumina. Such relationships are underpinned by innovative discovery science and its clinical application and have resulted in development of novel diagnostic/prognostic applications and therapies.
    /schools/mdbs/Research/
Career Development
  • The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences postgraduate programme trains students in both research-specific and generic skills towards promotion of professional development. Students may also avail of career development advice at the School annual Postgraduate Research Forum, through its peer mentoring programme, and as part of their individual Postgraduate Development Programme. We are ranked in the top 170 in the World for Graduate prospects (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022)The QUB Graduate School also provides wide-ranging opportunities for career development which complement School-specific postgraduate research training.
    /schools/mdbs/Research/
  • Queen’s is ranked 4th in the World for International Outlook (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024). The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences holds a Gold Athena Swan Award with QUB holding an institutional Gold Athena Swan Award 2024
    /schools/mdbs/Research/
World Class Facilities
  • As a member of the Russell Group of leading research-intensive UK Universities, Queen’s University Belfast is committed to maintaining the very best research. In the last Research Excellence Framework (2021), 99% of our research environment was judged to be internationally-excellent or world-leading. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 ranks Queen’s in the top 150 in the World for research excellence. Queen’s are ranked 1st in the UK as the most entrepreneurial University. As such, Queen’s provides an ideal environment to support high-quality postgraduate research.
    /schools/mdbs/Research/
  • Postgraduate students in the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences will undertake their research projects within the Institute of Health Sciences which has benefitted from significant recent investment (>£100M) and boasts state-of-art facilities and technology.
    /schools/mdbs/Research/
Internationally Renowned Experts
  • Postgraduate students in the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences are closely supervised by experienced academic staff and are viewed as a central and critical component of their world-leading research programmes.
    /schools/mdbs/Research/
Student Experience
  • The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences provides a vibrant environment for postgraduate research training. There are currently ~330 students undertaking wide-ranging basic science and clinical research projects who work closely together with postdoctoral and academic staff across the Institute of Health Sciences. Students are encouraged to interact both within and across disciplines through formal and informal School events, many of which are student-led.
    /schools/mdbs/Research/
Key Facts

Research students are encouraged to play a full and active role in relation to the wide range of research activities undertaken within the School and there are many resources available including:

  • Opportunity to benefit from world-class infrastructure and academic faculty.
  • Tailored postgraduate training programme including specific and generic aspects and careers-focussed peer mentoring.
  • Access to the QUB Postgraduate Researcher Development Programme.
  • Provision of shared laboratory, high performance computing, and office space as required by research project.
  • Opportunities to engage with QUB’s personal and public involvement network, working with diverse stakeholders
“My name is Kathryn, I am from Northern Ireland, and am studying for a PhD in Medicine.

“My PhD was funded by funded by Asthma + Lung UK as part of AUKCAR and Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children (RBHSC) charitable funds.

“Prior to starting my PhD in August 2021, I was working as a paediatric trainee doctor in Belfast, and had just completed an Academic Clinical Fellowship. I completed my undergraduate degree in Medicine at Queen’s University Belfast, graduating in 2012. I also completed the Diploma in Clinical Education at Queen’s in January 2021.

“I have always had an interest in academic medicine, and always dreamed of pursuing a career that allowed me to work clinically as a doctor whilst also doing research and teaching. Therefore, starting my PhD in 2021 was a dream come true, and a natural step in my career progression.

“As someone who had studied at Queen’s before, I loved every minute of my time as an undergraduate and as a postgraduate student at Queen’s, so it was a “no brainer” that I would choose Queen’s as the place I wanted to undertake my PhD.

“I was also very fortunate to have a supportive supervisory team in place who I had had the opportunity to work with before, so I knew that Queen’s would be the ideal location, with a support system already in place for my PhD.

“I loved Queen’s from Day One of my undergraduate career. From the gorgeous buildings, the lovely walks nearby, and the excellent facilities, as well as a great selection of coffee shops nearby – what is not to love?

“I have always felt supported and valued as a Queen’s student, and this was fundamental to me continuing to choose Queen’s for future postgraduate training.

“My PhD project has been exploring ways to help children and young people with asthma to improve their inhaler technique, and to be able to self-manage their asthma from the earliest possible stage. This has involved a randomised pilot study and a qualitative exploration.

“The pilot study involved comparing a novel augmented teaching method (video directly observed therapy, or “v-DOT”), with standard training in achieving and sustaining mastery of inhaler and nasal spray technique and the understanding of a Personalised Asthma Action Plan (PAAP).

“During my PhD, I have had the opportunity to represent other clinical trainees in my role as a Clinical Research Fellow Representative on the Clinical Academic Training Board. I also had the opportunity to represent PhD students in the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute For Experimental Medicine, and nationally as doctoral student representative for the Asthma UK Centre for Applied Research. These are all unique opportunities which have come secondary to me undertaking my PhD at Queen’s.

“Having the opportunity to undertake this PhD really has been a dream come true. Queen’s is the ideal location, and all the facilities and resources I have needed to undertake the PhD have always been readily available and accessible. They really do have everything you could possibly need in the most beautiful location and the most dedicated and supportive team to help nurture and support their students.

“I’ve loved the opportunity to conduct a piece of independent research, and to develop research skills and expertise. I have also enjoyed the additional development opportunities that Queen’s has given me, as well as the support from a very diverse team. I’ve made friends and colleagues for life.

“My long-term career aspiration is to be a clinical academic in paediatrics, working clinically with children and young people with asthma and allergies, whilst also being involved in paediatric research studies, and fostering a culture of meaningful patient and public involvement in paediatric research.

“Undertaking a PhD at Queen’s has been fundamental to making those aspirations a reality.”
“My name is Ghada Mohammed Abozaid, and I am from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia."

My Background:

“I am currently a fourth-year PhD student at Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà Belfast, studying within the School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Biomedical Sciences under a joint supervision programme.

“Through a government scholarship, I was able to receive funding from Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University.

“Before coming to Queen’s University Belfast, I completed my undergraduate and master’s degrees at King Saud University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. I am now a lecturer at Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University's Pharmacy College."

Studying at Queen’s University Belfast:

“I chose to study at Áù¾ÅÉ«Ìà Belfast because of its excellent research facilities, and its active, dynamic research groups, which look to helping make things better for people living with, and working with, rare diseases.

“The University’s reputation for fostering innovation and its strong connections with the healthcare industry were also particularly appealing."

My Research:

“My research focuses on improving orphan drug accessibility in Northern Ireland and Saudi Arabia, which involves extensive collaboration among researchers and stakeholders in both countries.

“My work's interdisciplinary nature allows me to explore various challenges and opportunities in relation to rare diseases and orphan drug accessibility, contributing to a deeper understanding of how to improve orphan drug accessibility.

“The opportunity to work under joint supervision also attracted me to Queen’s, enabling me to collaborate with leading experts in my field, including Professor Amy Jayne McKnight, a professor of molecular epidemiology and public health.

“I particularly enjoyed the collaborative projects and the “hands-on” experience in the laboratory. As an external student, I also enjoyed a "lab away day" whilst I was in Belfast."

Facilities:

“The University’s commitment to providing a conducive learning environment is evident in its continuous investment in infrastructure.

“Facilities such as the McClay Library, with its extensive collections and study spaces, and the Northern Ireland Technology Centre, equipped with the latest engineering technologies, support both learning and research activities.

“The Queen’s campus itself blends historic architecture with state-of-the-art facilities, creating a unique and inspiring learning environment that enables high-quality research.

“There is also a strong emphasis on student support, offering comprehensive academic advising, mental health services, and career guidance to ensure student success."

Living in Belfast:

“Living in Belfast has been a fantastic experience. The city is safe for foreigners, and is rich in history and culture, with plenty of museums, galleries, and live music venues to explore.

“The people here are friendly, and there is a strong sense of community both within the University and the city, which has a vibrant student life."

My Future:

“After graduating, I aim to pursue academic research, expand my professional network, and continue teaching at Princess Nourah Bint Abdul Rahman University, as well as to contribute to the rare diseases community in Saudi Arabia, and to make a difference.”
“I started my PhD at the Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, and have had a great experience.

“It is such a supportive environment, and there are many opportunities for career development and collaboration with other groups within the Centre.

“Seminars are run regularly, which encourages discussion on current research topics and promotes critical thinking, and the Centre also coordinates many public engagement events.

“This teaches us to communicate our science to a lay audience, and to keep in touch with the people we are doing all this research for, which is very rewarding.

“I will soon be writing up my final year thesis, and believe the skills I have developed and the opportunities I have been given by Queen’s leave me in a great position when I begin applying for jobs.”
“Whilst I’m a Belfast native, I didn’t complete my Bachelor’s or Master’s degree at Queen’s.

“However, after attending Universities in Leeds, Melbourne, Gothenburg, and Shanghai, I decided it was time to return to my home city to undertake my PhD at the Centre for Public Health.

“Two years in, and I’m so happy with my decision.

“I feel very supported and valued here, and have had the opportunity to get involved in various things outside of my research, which has allowed me to develop personally, and has enriched my experience at Queen’s.”

Course content

Research Information

Research Themes
Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research

The global burden of cancer is increasing with incidence now at 15 million new diagnoses each year. The Patrick G Johnston Centre for Cancer Research (PGJCCR) is attuned to this global health issue and specialises in integrating academic discovery, industrial/commercial enterprise and innovative health care practice to promote effective delivery of precision cancer medicine, to improve patient health and outcomes, generate wealth and alleviate suffering. PGJCCR has established successful multi-disciplinary teams focusing on cancers of Gastrointestinal, Prostate, Breast and Ovarian origin. Each team incorporates disease-specialist clinicians, accredited molecular pathology expertise bringing affiliated biobank tissue repositories, and academics skilled in the art of (i) biomarker discovery and bioinformatics, (ii) biological investigation and therapeutic development, and (iii) the prosecution of early-phase translation-driven clinical trials. Our significant success has resulted from a strong team-based approach.

Wellcome Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine

The Wellcome Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine (WWIEM) is committed to research excellence by making scientific breakthroughs in the mechanisms of disease, which we translate to innovative therapeutics to improve patient outcomes. We are an international hub of excellence on eye disease, infectious diseases and respiratory disease with a core emphasis on immunology, molecular cell biology and patient-based investigations. WWIEM comprises three main research themes focussed on Immunology and Microbes, Respiratory Medicine, and Vision and Vascular Medicine. Our Immunobiology and Microbes research group focusses on understanding the immune system which is essential for defence of the human body, not only in preventing a wide variety of diseases but also aiding recovery from them. Our Respiratory Medicine research group focusses on understanding the processes that lead to common lung illnesses such as asthma, cystic fibrosis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. Our Vision and Vascular Medicine research group particularly focusses on inflammation within the cardiovascular system as a frequent cause of cardiac and other vascular diseases which represent a significant health burden on society. Our work makes an important impact in the fight against conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and eye disease.

Centre for Medical Education

Research students joining the Centre for Medical Education will have the opportunity to develop an education project using a range of qualitative and quantitative methods, for which specific training is made available. Research encompasses a range of learning environments and spans the continuum of medical education. Projects are linked by an underlying commitment to improve patient care through education. Current research interests include GP pedagogy, technology-enhanced learning, identity, critical research, and diversity and inclusion. Students are mentored to develop their own research questions and methodologies within the broad remit of the Centre.

Centre for Public Health

The overall mission of the Centre for Public Health (CPH) is to improve health and reduce inequalities, prevent and manage chronic disease and disability more effectively, and to improve the delivery of health and social care. CPH comprises four main research themes focussed on Epidemiology and Public Health, Cancer Epidemiology, Nutrition and Public Health, and Health Services and Global Health. Our Epidemiology and Public Health research group harnesses Big Data in discovery science and its application to clinical and public health practice, to help to understand how both molecular biomarkers and environments (including social norms and networks) shape risk in individuals and populations. Our Cancer Epidemiology research group includes programmes focussed on pre-malignancy molecular epidemiology, gastrointestinal cancer progression and precision medicine, and pharmaco-epidemiology exploring the potential for drug re-purposing. Our Nutrition and Public Health research group works across the life-course to understand the determinants of a healthy diet in individuals, at risk groups (e.g. schoolchildren, pregnant women, older people) and whole populations, and on identifying ways to improve it. Our Health Services and Global Health research group focusses on health care for people with chronic conditions and poor mental health, quality improvement and implementation science, oral health and related cancers, trials methodology, health economics, and global eye health. Our Dentistry and Oral Health Care research has a focus on gerodontology, head and neck cancer, and nutrition.

PhD Opportunities
Funded postgraduate research studentships are advertised on the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences website: /schools/mdbs/Study/PostgraduateResearch/CurrentOpportunities/.

We will also consider applications from externally or self-funded students who should identify potential academic supervisors aligned with their research interests: /schools/mdbs/Research/find-a-phd-supervisor/.

Please note that we can only support projects which fit within our main research themes of Experimental Medicine, Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Medical Education, Public Health and Dentistry .

Research Impact
The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences drives research excellence and impact, delivering innovative solutions to the specific challenges we have identified in healthcare. The School has three central aims:
(1) To address key global challenges in health care by making scientific breakthroughs in mechanisms of disease, translating these to innovative therapeutics and preventive interventions to improve patient outcomes.
(2) To establish lasting relationships with major funders for programmatic research and capacity building. This includes doctoral training, clinical academic programmes and postdoctoral fellowships.
(3) To leverage scientific strengths with small and medium size enterprises and large pharmaceutical companies to develop externally funded competitive, collaborative programmes for discovery and translation.

Research Projects
Current postgraduate research projects and potential opportunities.

Research Success
As a member of the Russell Group of leading UK Universities, Queen’s University Belfast is committed to maintaining the very best research. In the last Research Excellence Framework exercise, 99% of our research environment was judged to be internationally-excellent or world-leading. Queen’s are ranked 1st in the UK as the most entrepreneurial University. As such, Queen’s provides an ideal environment to support high-quality postgraduate research.

Current PGR Student Profiles
Current postgraduate research projects and potential opportunities.

“The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences is dedicated to providing postgraduate research students with a supportive environment to effectively promote their education, training and professional development.

“Our students are highly valued as a central and critical component of the School’s research strategy, and benefit from both exceptional facilities and supervision by world-leading academic researchers.”
Career Prospects

Introduction
The majority of postgraduate research students within the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences continue to successfully secure appropriate employment upon completion of their studies. Chosen careers are generally relevant to their qualification within industry, academia and the National Health Service and have included postdoctoral research across the world, clinical/non-clinical academia, return to full-time clinical work, medical writing, industry research, management/financial consultancy, and R&D software development. The School runs a dedicated careers session at its annual Postgraduate Research Forum and careers-focussed peer mentoring from postdoctoral researchers whilst students are expected to discuss potential careers with their supervisors as part of their individual Postgraduate Development Programme.

Employment after the Course
All postgraduate research students can avail of careers advice from the Graduate School whilst postdoctoral employment opportunities are highlighted at the annual School Postgraduate Research Forum within a dedicated session. Students should also discuss potential careers with their supervisors as a central focus of their individual Postgraduate Development Programme.

Learning Outcomes
As a postgraduate student in the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences you will receive high-quality training and support for a career in scientific research with significant potential to contribute to development of improved strategies for the management and treatment of life-threatening diseases.
Course structure
1. The School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Sciences is dedicated to providing its postgraduate research students with a supportive environment to effectively promote their education, training and professional development. First year students enrol on a tailored training programme comprising a series of lectures, workshops and practical sessions focused on key research skills, such as bioimaging, informatics, genomics, mass spectrometry, animal models and clinical trials. In addition, all students receive wide-ranging and ongoing training in generic and transferable skills, such as scientific writing, data analysis, presentation and critical appraisal, through dedicated communication courses and seminars. They also benefit from presentation of their research findings at major national and international conferences, which is an expectation of all postgraduate research students, and through regular interaction with the QUB Graduate School, whose specific function is to support postgraduate training, development and careers.

Students undertake their specific research project under the close guidance of an experienced principal super