Sanjeev Bhanderi and Dr Phil Tomson have revealed the three projects chosen as part of a new research opportunity.
The BES recently called for research to address the impact of aerosol generating procedures in dentistry with respect to COVID-19.
The British Endodontic Society (BES) offered a research grant of up to £40,000 in response to the current COVID-19 pandemic.
The Society invited proposals from UK-based applicants wishing to undertake short-term research that addresses or mitigates the impacts of Aerosol Generating Procedures (AGPs) during the COVID-19 outbreak.
‘The impact of COVID-19 on dentistry has been significant and as we begin to return to the new normal, we face a complex and evolving situation’ said Dr Sanjeev Bhanderi, BES President.
He added: ‘There is an abundance of guidance available. But a common theme is the lack of robust evidence to guide the adoption of behaviours in practice.
‘Many questions surround AGPs in dental practice and the interaction of these with COVID-19 so the BES is investing in research that will lead to a better understanding.’
‘Applicants did not need to be BES members and the closing date was in July. The application process was outlined on the BES website and all applications were considered by the BES research panel appointed by the BES Council.
‘Due to the immediacy of this research, the successful applicants were notified quickly.
Three awards
The BES awarded three COVID-19- related research grants.
‘We are delighted to have received such great feedback to our research call having received many, high quality, fundable submissions’, said Dr Phil Tomson, chair of the BES Research Committee.
‘Due to the unique circumstances and potential tangible outcomes we have taken the decision to award three grants that offer different qualities. These will provide robust reassurance around the safety of carrying out AGPs with conventional mitigating factors. Also whilst investigating new opportunities to improve things further.’
The BES has allocated an £85,000 grant between three research groups:
Project one
Quantifying dental aerosol generation and its mitigation in a generalisable way through visualisation and numerical modelling
Jointly led by Professor Owen Addison, chair of oral rehabilitation/honorary consultant in restorative dentistry and Dr Shanon Patel, consultant in endodontics dental directorate, Guy’s and St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust, Kings College London.
Co-investigator is Professor Yannis Hardalupas, Imperial College London, Mechanical Engineering Department.
Project two
Dental aerosol generating procedures: assessment of risk and mitigation strategies
Applicant: Mr James Allison, clinical fellow in oral surgery, School of Dental Sciences, Newcastle University.
Co-investigators at School of Dental Sciences, Newcastle University: Dr Richard Holliday; NIHR Clinical Lecturer in Restorative Dentistry; Miss Charlotte Currie; NIHR Doctoral Research Fellow; Mr David Edwards; NIHR Academic Clinical Fellow, Honorary Specialty Registrar in Endodontics; Dr Nicholas Jakubovics; Senior Lecturer; Dr Christopher Nile; Senior Lecturer in Translational Oral Biosciences; Dr Nadia Rostami; Research Associate; Professor Justin Durham; Head of School, Professor of Orofacial Pain, Honorary Consultant Oral Surgeon and Mrs Charlotte Bowes; Clinical Fellow in Restorative Dentistry.
Project three
An investigation into aerosol production during endodontic procedures and its potential mitigation; a simulation study with bioaerosols
Applicant: Professor Brian Nattress, clinical professor/honorary consultant in restorative dentistry, Leeds Dental School and Hospital.
Co-Supervisor: Professor David Wood, director of research and innovation, School of Dentistry, University of Leeds
Co-Investigators: Dr Louise Fletcher, Lecturer in Waste Management, Aerobiology and Environmental Microbiology, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds; Professor Deirdre Devine, Professor of Oral Microbiology, School of Dentistry, University of Leeds and Mr Peter Nixon, Consultant in Restorative Dentistry, York District Hospital, York.
This article first appeared in Endodontic Practice magazine. You can read the latest issue here.
