Dental Research Network
What is the Dental Research Network?
West Midlands Dental Research Network
is a collaborative initiative between Dental Practices across the region and your local Clinical Research Network (CRN) the NIHR CRN West Midlands.
Oral and dental health has a close link to the overall health of the population. Dental practices provide treatments to maintain oral health in children and adults. It is in this context that the Dental Research Network has been developed.
We can get involved in UK-wide research studies, focusing on the health and wellbeing of children and adults, we can learn about different types of dental research and provide opportunities for people affected by oral and dental health conditions to influence and take part in research.
What is the CRN?
We are part of the National Institute of Health and Care Research, (NIHR) which has been supporting research delivery in primary, community, and hospital settings across our region since 2006, and more recently expanding its support into wider care settings, such as dental schools and local authorities. Last year almost 1.4 million people in England participated in NIHR studies.
We are funded by the Department of Health and Social Care and work in partnership with the NHS, universities, dental schools, other research funders, participants, and the public.
We are able to provide advice, support, and assistance to allow your dental practice to take part in high-quality dental research, where the care is provided to benefit the patient and the public.
The aims of the Dental Research Network
The aims of the Dental Research Network are to improve the dental health of children and adults by building new knowledge, bridging gaps in research, applying learning to practice, supporting the development of dental teams and sharing findings across the Network.
We plan to invite dental practices to take part in innovative research studies that focus on the health and well-being of children and adults. This will not only help practices contribute to shaping the dental health of the nation but also will give them the chance to take advantage of new innovative treatments or screening programmes that are not yet available to the general population.
How can we support your Dental Practice
Inform you of opportunities to take part in high-quality research
Support your practice with study setup and delivery of research
(most studies will require minimal resources from the dental practice)
Offer advice and support with research governance
Provide support from trained research staff
Provide access to funding to reimburse staff time and involvement in research
Provide support throughout the duration of the study
Provide access to free research training
Our offer to Dental Practices
We hope the Dental Research Network will be able to influence, be part of, and explore research in dental healthcare settings.
We want practices to feel like active members who shape the Dental Research Network, through participation with us.
High-quality research opportunities and for dental professionals to input into research study design
Identifying the key areas of need, we will work with academic partners to develop dental research studies to inform change.
We will also promote opportunities for participation in local and national studies.
Remuneration
Support Cost
If there are any additional costs related to undertaking the research these will come directly from the study team and are called ‘Research Costs’ (research activity is almost always undertaken directly by the research team).
When we circulate research opportunities each study will clearly state the total remuneration for Dental Practices.
Support with health and wellbeing initiatives/training, including dental health
Depending on the needs identified, we can facilitate support from clinicians and academics within partner organisations.
Share research findings to inform evidence base and contribute to policy and practice
We will ensure the dissemination of all findings of research where you have assisted. This will include publications and recommendations for policy change.
Offer patients the opportunity to be involved in research (as specified in the NHS Constitution)
Research offers a range of benefits to the NHS. There is evidence that research active organisations have better outcomes than those undertaking less research, according toNHS England.
Advice on career development in research
We fund oral and dental health research projects through our funding programmes and support training and career development for oral and dental health researchers.
Quality Mark for CQC Inspection & NIHR accredited certificate
All Dental Practices who register with the Dental Research Network will be given an accreditation certificate as part of them being a research active Dental Practice.
Studies Open for Participation in Dental Practices
The PIP Study - Pulpotomy for the management of Irreversible Pulpitis in mature teeth
What will happen if my dental practice decides to take part?
Dental Practice will meet with the study team to discuss their involvement and have the opportunity to ask questions
Clinical and research training will be provided for the dentist and dental team involved, this will be reimbursed
Dental practices will then need to identify suitable participants for study involvement
The research dental treatment will be undertaken
Follow up visit will be arranged 12 months after the dental treatment
Find out more about the PIP Study
Complete an Expression of Interest form for PIP study here.
PIP Study Dentist FlyerFINAL.29.11.2022.pdfENHANCE D study PosterThe ENHANCE D Study - Enhancing Dental Health Advice Study
What will happen if my dental practice decides to take part?
Dental Practice will meet with the study team to discuss their involvement and have the opportunity to ask questions
Dental practices will then need to identify 2 members of the dental team (Dental Hygienist, Dental Therapist, Dental Nurse and or Dentist) to lead on the study
Training to become ‘Stop Smoking Practitioners’ will be provided, this will be reimbursed
Dental practices will then need to identify suitable participants for study involvement
The research dental visit will be undertaken
Follow up visits will be arranged, 6 months & 12 months
Find out more about the ENHANCE D Study
Complete an Expression of Interest form for ENHANCE D study here.
Join the Dental Research Network
We are seeking expressions of interest from forward-thinking dental practices who would like to join the Dental Research Network. This will provide you the opportunity to be the first to find out about high profile dental research studies taking place in your area.
Joining the Dental Research Network does not commit you to taking part in a particular study and is free.
We will keep you updated on:
New studies
Resources and research results
Training and opportunities for the whole team.
The General Dental Council:
"We need to listen and understand the views of the public, patients, and registrants.
We draw upon these views to make policy and decisions on the basis of the best available evidence."