Improving Access to Oral Health Services for Children with Disability

About the Project

People/organisations involved:

Principal Investigator: A/Prof Anura Ariyawardana, Clinical Principal Dentist, Oral Health Services, Community and Oral Health

Research team:

Dr Kelsey Chapman, The Hopkins Centre, Griffith University
Dr Sumit Sachdev, MSH Oral Health
Martine Waters, Metro South Health
Debbie Cowan, Metro South Health
A/Professor Jessica Paynter, Griffith University
Prof Elizabeth Kendall, Griffith University
Prof Tamara Ownsworth, Griffith University
Dr Candy Fung, MSH Oral Health
Gia Lowry, Griffith University

The project 'Improving Access to and Experience of Oral Health Services for Children with Disability by Reducing Reliance on General Anaesthesia' aims to understand the clinical, behavioural and systemic factors influencing the Metro South Health waiting list. The project seeks to reduce the need for general anaesthesia in children with disability by identifying better pathways, supports, and service delivery models.

Project funded by the 2026 Metro South Health Research Support Scheme, MSH SERTA.