Research
Recognised as one of Australia’s leading research-intensive dental schools, Adelaide Dental School is well placed to help you expand your knowledge and career options through multiple areas of oral health inquiry.
At Adelaide Dental School we have a strong track record of attracting significant competitive research grants, and publishing papers, articles and books across a wide variety of research areas.
Among these, our research areas include: oral health; ageing, frailty and mobility; musculoskeletal health; surgical and health systems innovation; child and adolescent health; indigenous and disadvantaged health; and translational health outcomes.
Advance within multiple research centres and groups
Studying at the school will give you the opportunity to undertake research within a range of differently focused centres and groups, including:
- Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health
- Craniofacial Biology
- Dental Education
- Endodontics and Pulp Biology
- Forensic Odontology
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
- Oral Microbiology and Immunology
- Oral Pathology
- Orthodontics
- Periodontics
How to get started in research
If you wish to challenge yourself and potentially pursue a career in research, but aren’t sure where to start, consider applying for our Honours Degree of Bachelor of Science in Dentistry.
The honours degree enables you to research an area of personal interest, and develop the skills required for postgraduate study at a higher level (see below). You’ll undertake a research project, prepare a report for publication, and—in the process—acquire a potential point of difference in the eyes of employers. Find out more about applying for honours within the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences.
Postgraduate Dental and Oral Health research degrees
Our Adelaide Dental School postgraduate research degrees are specialised, research-intensive, and based around one-on-one interactions with a supervisor.
We offer three degrees, each aimed at helping you make an impact in your chosen field of study.
Master of Philosophy
The Master of Philosophy is conducted over two years of full-time study, or part-time equivalent. It will train you in research methodology and techniques, and engage you in advanced, critical evaluation of literature and results in your specific field of research.
Master of Philosophy (Dentistry)
The Master of Philosophy (Dentistry) is conducted over two years of full-time study or part-time equivalent and focuses on dentistry as the field of research.
Doctor of Philosophy
The Doctor of Philosophy is a three-year (full-time) research degree, and is available if you’ve previously completed a high honours degree or equivalent.
Discuss your ideas with our supervisors
A key component of a successful postgraduate research experience is finding the best supervisor to help you achieve your goals. With this in mind, we urge you to contact one or more of the following supervisors to discuss potential research topics for you to explore:
- Endodontics - Associate Professor Giamperio Rossi-Fedele
- Oral Pathology - Professor Richard Logan
- Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery - Dr Paul Sambrook
- Orthodontics - Professor Craig Dreyer
- Periodontics - Associate Professor Sushil Kaur
- Prosthodontics - Associate Professor James Dudley
- Special Needs Dentistry - Associate Professor Sharon Liberali
Ready to take the next step?
You’ll find full admission requirements for each of these degrees in the University’s Graduate Centre Academic Program Rules.
Then, to apply for one of our higher degrees by research or if you have any queries, contact the Adelaide Graduate Research School.