Multimorbidity in Oral Health Guidance: Ensuring an effective, equitable and sustainable approach
Supervisors:
Prof Janet E Clarkson, School of Dentistry (University of Dundee)
Dr Heather Cassie, School of Dentistry (University of Dundee)
Dr Nicola Gray, School of Health Sciences, (University of Dundee)
Prof Craig Ramsay, NHS Education Scotland
Summary:
Are you passionate about improving healthcare for people living with multiple long-term conditions? This exciting PhD opportunity explores how dental care can better support patients with multimorbidity—individuals living with more than one chronic health issue, such as gum disease, diabetes, or heart problems. With multimorbidity becoming more common, dental professionals play a crucial role in providing care that considers the whole person, not just their oral health.
This PhD project aims to improve national dental guidance, so they better reflect the complex needs of these patients. You will investigate how current dental advice includes (or overlooks) multimorbidity, gather insights from both patients and healthcare professionals, and co-design practical solutions to make care more inclusive, effective, and patient-centred.
Supervised by a multidisciplinary team of experts, you'll gain skills in systematic reviewing, qualitative research, citizen science, guidance development and working closely with health professionals, patients and the public. This is your chance to make a real difference in how dental care is delivered—creating more compassionate, evidence-based guidance that supports better health for all.
Join us in shaping the future of oral healthcare!