Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health

Internationally recognised research and research training in population oral health.

The Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health (ARCPOH) at Adelaide University is Australia's leading population oral health research centre, providing a broad range of dental and oral health population statistics for Australia.

Our mission is to undertake internationally recognised research and research training in population oral health. Our work focuses on oral epidemiology, dental health services, Indigenous oral health, and key populations including children, older adults, and regional communities.

Operating through strong leadership, multidisciplinary collaboration, and engagement with communities, industry, and government stakeholders, we provide comprehensive dental and oral health data, informing research, policy, and practice nationally.

We have contributed to seminal research, including national oral health surveys, the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP), and studies on water fluoridation, service provision, and oral health in aged care. Through research, education, and advocacy, we continue to advance oral health knowledge, translate evidence into practice, and train the next generation of leaders in population oral health both in Australia and internationally.

Explore our research

Population oral health research provides the basis for an important area of public health policy and service provision. Our research is concerned with promoting oral health and preventing dental disease in the population.

Engage with us

Join our broad network of partners across government, industry, professional associations, and community organisations to advance population oral health research.

Explore the Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health

Research capabilities Research capabilities
Research impact Research impact
Our people Our people
Our partners Our partners

The Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health has an established international reputation as a leader in population oral health research.

Our capabilities span a broad range of areas that allow us to generate high-quality evidence and translate it into meaningful outcomes for communities.

We foster an environment of multidisciplinary collaboration and extensive partnerships with government agencies, dental organisations, industry, and communities. These collaborations strengthen our ability to design and deliver research that is relevant, robust, and actionable.

Our research expertise includes:

Oral epidemiology

Investigating the distribution, determinants, and impact of oral diseases across populations.

Dental health services

Evaluating access to and the effectiveness of dental care, informing policy and service improvements.

Indigenous oral health

Developing evidence-based strategies to improve oral health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Key populations

Researching oral health in children, older adults, and regional and remote communities to address disparities.

We also provide a distinctive learning environment for research students, offering hands-on experience in high-quality studies, mentorship, and exposure to collaborative projects. This ensures the next generation of oral health researchers are equipped with the skills and knowledge to lead impactful research programs.

A collaboration with Colgate Oral Care, the Dental Practice Education and Research Unit (DPERU), was also established to promote preventive oral health through evidence-based education for dental professionals and the public.

Together, these capabilities allow us to produce internationally recognised research, train future leaders, and contribute to improving oral health outcomes and equitable access to dental services across Australia and beyond.

Our research has significantly influenced public health policy and dental service delivery in Australia.

Through extensive national surveys and studies, the centre has provided critical data on the prevalence of oral diseases, access to dental care, and the effectiveness of preventive measures.

Notably, we have led the development of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP), a widely recognized tool for assessing the social impact of oral conditions. Our work on water fluoridation has also contributed to evidence-based policy decisions aimed at improving community oral health.

The National Child Oral Health Study (NCOHS) and National Study of Adult Oral Health (NSAOH), conducted by ARCPOH, provides valuable insights into the oral health status of Australian children and adults respectively, guiding interventions and resource allocation. Similarly, the National Dental Care Survey (NDCS) monitors trends in dental care access and self-reported oral health, informing national health strategies.

Our centre’s commitment to research training ensures the development of future leaders in population oral health. With our multidisciplinary approach we can foster collaborations across various health sectors, enhancing the scope and impact of our research.

Through our comprehensive research programs, The Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health continues to play a pivotal role in shaping Australia's oral health landscape, promoting equitable access to dental care, and improving health outcomes for all Australians.

Professor Lisa Jamieson

Director of ARCPOH & NHMRC Senior Principal Research Fellowship
Email: lisa.jamieson@adelaide.edu.au

Dr Liana Luzzi

Deputy Director of ARCPOH, Director of the Dental Statistics and Research Unit (DSRU), Director of the Dental Practice Education Research Unit (DPERU) & Senior Research Fellow

Joanne Hedges

Director of the Indigenous Oral Health Unit (IOHU)
Senior Lecturer and Senior Aboriginal Research Officer
Email: joanne.hedges@adelaide.edu.au

Global Partnerships

ARCPOH has a long history of collaborating with many national and international partners in research, surveillance and evaluation.

We work closely with a broad network of partners across government, industry, professional associations, and community organisations who are central to our mission to advance population oral health research, inform policy, and improve outcomes for communities.

Key partners include Department of Health and Aged Care, government dental and health departments, the Australian Dental Association, Colgate Oral Care through the Dental Practice Education Research Unit (DPERU), and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs).

We also engage in international partnerships, sharing expertise and contributing to global initiatives in population oral health research, surveillance, and evaluation.

These partnerships serve several purposes:

Collaborating with government and professional bodies ensures research findings inform evidence-based policies and service delivery.
Working with industry partners supports the development of effective interventions and education programs for dental professionals and the public.
Engagement with community organisations, particularly those serving Indigenous populations, enables culturally safe research and the co-design of strategies that address oral health disparities.
International partnerships expand our research capacity, fostering knowledge exchange, joint projects, and innovation.

Across all collaborations, we also provide high-quality learning opportunities for Adelaide University students and early-career researchers, building the next generation of population oral health leaders.

Through these partnerships, we are able to strengthen our impact, translating research into practical solutions that improve oral health and promote equitable access to dental care across Australia and beyond.

Contact us

Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health

Location
Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health
Adelaide University
Level 4, 50 Rundle Mall, Rundle Mall Plaza, City Campus, Adelaide SA 5000

Phone: +61 8 8313 3291 or +61 8 8313 4235

Email: arcpoh@adelaide.edu.au