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Barwon Health / Research

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Oral Health - Affiliate A/Prof Michael Smith

Background

I graduated from the University of Melbourne as a dentist and worked in the private sector until joining Barwon Health in 1998.

I was appointed as the Director Oral Health Services in 1999 and oversaw the expansion of the Community Oral Health Services to Newcomb, Belmont and Wathaurong Aboriginal Health. Established strategic partnerships with Colac Area Health and Bellarine Community Health to deliver regional dental services.

I took advantage of the infrastructure funding provided by the Commonwealth Government Voluntary Dentist and Oral Health Therapist Graduate Year Programs to design and purchase two mobile dental vans to provide dental services in schools and communities across the Barwon South West Region.

  • Honorary appointment in the University of Melbourne Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences as a Fellow (2010).
  • Appointment as a Conjoint Clinical Associate Professor in the School of Medicine, Faculty of Health at Deakin University (2017)
  • Appointed as chair of the LaTrobe University Course Advisory Committee for dentistry and oral health (2018)
  • Fellowship in the International College of Dentists
  • Membership of the International Association for Dental Research, Public Health Association of Australia and International Association of Paediatric Dentistry

Research Focus

My particular research focus is children’s oral and general health as demonstrated in my active participation in several projects e.g. Romp & Chomp, Wide Smiles, Hall Technique Stainless Steel Crowns, Minimal Intervention Dentistry & Splash!

My role is to support and strategically guide the sub-regional collaboration of Barwon Health, Wathaurong Aboriginal Health Service, Colac Area Health and Bellarine Health Service Community Dental Services enabling those agencies to continue to provide dental services to their respective communities.

I also am interested in how oral health practitioners can actively improve general health outcomes for their dental patients. “What you put in your mouth determines your health” is the message that I want people to receive when visiting the dentist or oral health therapist.

Michael Smith about me

Awards & Achievements

Smart Geelong Network Researcher of the Year Awards

  • Smart Initiatives for Healthy Minds & Healthy Bodies Award 2014 – Winner
  • Population Health & Lifestyle Award 2013 - Winner
  • Researcher of the Year Award 2013 - Highly Commended

Dental Health Services Victoria Public Oral Healthcare Awards  

  • Leader in Oral Health 2013
  • Oral Health Project of the Year 2017 – Wide Smiles

Victorian Public Healthcare Awards

  • Supporting healthy populations - A novel setting for screening diabetes – Highly Commended (2017)
  • Improving children’s health - Wide Smiles – Finalist (2017)
  • Prevention & promotion – Preschool oral health program – smiles4miles & partnerships (Highly Commended) 2010

Barwon Health Annual Quality Improvement Awards:

  • 2017 Board of Directors’ Award – Wide Smiles
  • 2017 Living Our Values – Outstanding contribution by a Corporate Citizen – Clinical staff member – Assoc. Prof. Michael Smith
  • 2017 Pillar 4 – Research, Education and Training for Excellence – Winner – A novel setting for screening diabetes
  • 2017 Pillar 5 – Our Community’s Wellbeing – Winner – Wide Smiles
  • 2016 Pillar 5 – Our Community’s Wellbeing – Winner – Splash! Social and health inequalities related to changes in drinking water in rural Victoria.
  • 2013 Healthcare Innovation Award – Excellence in Service Provision – Winner – Kinder Wide Smiles

G-Force – Awarded to BH Dental Services “In recognition of your outstanding long term commitment to the training of Trainees in the Geelong region”

Feature Publications

  • De Silva-Sanigorski AM, Bell AC, Kremer P, Nichols M, Crellin M, Smith M, Sharp S, de Groot F, Carpenter L, Boak R, Roberson N, Swinburn BA. Reducing obesity in early childhood: results from Romp & Chomp an Australian community-wide intervention program. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2010) 91:831-840.
  • Mason A, Mayze L, Pawlak J, Henry MJ, Sharp S, Smith MC. A preventative approach to oral health for children in a regional/rural community in South-West Victoria, Australia. Dentistry (2015) 5:313. Doi: 10.4172/2161-1122.1000313.
  • Hoare A, Virgo-Milton M, Boak R, Gold L, Waters E, Gussy M, Calache H, Smith M, de Silva AM. A qualitative study of the factors that influence mothers when choosing drinks for their young children. BMC Res. Notes (2014) 7:430. Doi: 10.1089/chi.2011.0118
  • Martin-Kerry J, Gussy M, Gold L, Calache H, Boak R, Smith M and de Silva A. Are Australian parents following feeding guidelines that will reduce their child's risk of dental caries? Child: care, health and development. https://doi.org/10.1111/cch.12768
  • “Embracing Change in Dental Practice to Deliver Better Health Outcomes- A Type 2 Diabetes Screening and Oral Health Pilot Program” Rogers et al., Dentistry 2017, 7:10 DOI: 10.4172/2161-1122.1000454

How you can help

Donate

Research requires ongoing investment and there are several ways to support our work. You can make a donation today and contribute to an item on our research group’s wish list, consider a bequest in your will, or establish a lasting legacy fund in your name. No matter what size, your philanthropic support will deliver an immediate impact to this important work. To donate now or for more information, please contact the Barwon Health Foundation.

 

Last Modified: Thursday, 24 February 2022

P1066212

A/Prof Michael Smith

BDSc LDS FICD

Director, Oral Health

[email protected]

Phone: (03) 4215 7628