Does my project need approval by Dental Health Services Victoria?
The following criteria define situations where a research proposal should be referred to Dental Health Services Victoria (DHSV) for consideration by the Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC):
- Where research involving human subjects is being undertaken by DHSV and the research cannot be considered by another HREC which is properly constituted in accordance with the National Statement (see section 2.3.1).
- Where DHSV is providing funding to other organisations for the provision of services, the research relates to the clients of such an organisation, and that organisation does not have its own Ethics Committee, and the research cannot be considered by another properly constituted HREC.
- Where the research to be conducted by another organisation has been funded by DHSV and, that organisation does not have its own Ethics Committee, and the research cannot be considered by another properly constituted HREC.
- Where the research to be conducted by another organisation is being undertaken on patients of DHSV.
- Where there is a formal agreement signed by an authorised delegate to accept research proposals for consideration by this committee when the organisation does not have its own committee.
Minimizing the duplication of review
The National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research (2007) requires that organisations minimize the duplication of ethical review of research proposals (5.3 National Statement). Therefore you should submit your proposal to the relevant HREC (see below) for approval.
Do I need approval from DHSV or the University?
If the researcher is an employee of DHSV and is undertaking the research in relation to services provided by DHSV, then the research proposal should be submitted to the DHSV HREC.
If the researcher is a member of staff or a student at a university, the research proposal should be submitted to the university HREC for ethical review.
For example, staff and students of the University of Melbourne should contact the Melbourne Dental School HEAG Administrator on (03) 9341 1509.
Research requiring RDHM resources
Where the research is being conducted at The Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne (RDHM) or requires access to RDHM data or patients, the project will need to be endorsed by the Chair HREC and Executive sponsor. This must include submitting evidence of the University HREC approval.
All research approved by the DHSV HREC, where it has resource implications for DHSV, will be referred subsequently to the DHSV Board. Final approval for the research cannot be given until it has been endorsed by the DHSV Board.
Responsibilities of university HRECs
It is the responsibility of individual HRECs from which DHSV accepts ethical review to ensure that they meet the obligations and responsibilities set out in 5.1.9 of the National Statement in relation to legal protection for all individuals involved in the ethical review of research proposals.
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