What is a Research Development Group (RDG)?
RDGs are formed by individuals and teams collaborating to develop a research funding proposal. Often, a group develops through shared expertise and interests or interdisciplinary work. RDGs are the main drive for APHIRST-OH activities with ideas and research questions being taken forward and developed into funding proposals.
Support from APHIRST-OH for RDG development
The APHIRST-OH coordinating team will support the development of RDGs, assist in project management and prompt to ensure that timelines are met. Through links with the wider research community in Australia and internationally, APHIRST-OH will act as a translational prevention research centre to identify and bring appropriate specialist expertise into RDGs. Each RDG will have one individual responsible for their leadership, together with an assistant. The main role of the RDG leader will be to drive the group forward towards research proposal submission and liaise with the APHIRST-OH team regarding progress and support needs. Contact details of RDG leads will be posted on the APHIRST-OH website to provide opportunities for others to contribute to these groups.
Read more about:
Cochrane Systematic Review: Population level interventions for improving population oral health
Current Members: DHSV, UoM, LaTrobe University (Population Health & Dental School), Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care Germany
Aims:
- To identify population level interventions and to determine the effectiveness of community-based population-level interventions to promote child oral health
- determine the most effective types of interventions (environmental, social, community, multi-component)
- determine the interventions that reduce inequity in oral health outcomes.
- explore the influence of context in the design, delivery, and outcomes of the interventions
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Statewide evaluation of Regional Oral Health Plans
Current Members: DHSV, Community agencies
Aims:
- To examine the developing Regional Oral Health plans and consider their likely impact on population oral health
- To develop an evaluation framework for assessing the impact of the regional oral health plans of the oral health of the communities involved over the next 5 years
Establishing a population oral health monitoring system and developing a Community Oral Health Needs Index
Current Members: DHSV, DoH
Aims:
- To enable population monitoring or risk and protective factors for population oral health, and population oral health outcomes
- To identify high risk catchment areas and population cohorts for targeted resource allocation
- Undertake detailed assessment of existing DHSV, State and National data, and collaborate with agencies and stakeholders to improve completeness, accuracy of data
- Ensure closed feedback loops of the available data to inform policy, practice and decision making at all levels
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Aboriginal Oral Health in Victoria
Current Members: DHSV
Aims:
- To determine the burden of dental disease in Victorian aboriginal communities
- Comparative analysis of communities across Victoria and with other Australian States/Territories
- Translate findings for use by the local community and DHSV Aboriginal Liaison Officers to explore opportunities for improving oral health outcomes
- Ensure robust data systems available to monitor aboriginal oral health outcomes
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Systems-integrated population health promotion intervention
Current Members: DHSV, UoM, Deakin University, LaTrobe University
Aims:
- To develop and test a systems-integrated population health promotion to improve general and oral health in at risk communities
- Pilot study to determine feasibility and acceptability
- Determine effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and sustainability
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Evaluation of the Smiles for Miles Program
Current Members: DHSV (APHIRST-OH, Health Promotion)
Aims:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of DHSV’s Smiles for Miles program
- Determine effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and sustainability
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Evaluation of changes in state dental policy (integration of school and community dental services)
Current Members: DHSV
Aims:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of the integration of school dental into community dental services
- To explore aspects of the integration process
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Financial Stress, Food insecurity and Oral Health Outcomes
Current Members: DHSV, UoM, Deakin University
Aims:
- To conduct secondary analysis of the 2006 VCHWS dataset to explore the relationship between a range of socio demographic factors (including social support, disadvantage and hardship) with parent-reported child oral health status
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Audit of local government and community public health plans
Current Members: DHSV
Aims:
- To review an audit of local government and community public health plans priority area/goals, objectives and strategies, action or interventions
- To conduct secondary analysis of audit findings reporting the direct and indirect mentions of and reference to Smiles 4 Miles and oral health in general.
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Evaluation of Toothpacks for Maternal Child Health (pilot study)
Current Members: DHSV (APHIRST-OH, Health Promotion)
Aims:
- To explore the process for resource implementation in Maternal Child Health
- To review current procedures and mechanisms for implementation
- To understand the possible impacts for the implementation of the toothpacks resource
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For further information on any of these studies or if you have a research idea you would like to discuss please email lauren.carpenter@dhsv.org.au
