Oral Health Needs Assessment
The Oral Health Needs Assessment Unit (OHNAU) is a centre of excellence in oral epidemiology and dental public health research based at Queen Mary, University of London. The group has carried out extensive research in partnership with General Dental Practitioners, NHS Primary Care Trusts, Dental Public Health Consultants, Department of Health, World Health Organisation, and other health stakeholders. The OHNAU has staff providing specific expertise in statistics and oral epidemiology, including innovative oral health needs assessment and survey research design, health services planning and management. Healthcare providers can obtain academic support from OHNAU staff on a consultancy basis in developing protocols and/or conducting high quality, innovative oral health needs assessment.
The OHNAU has carried out several NHS PCT oral health needs assessments in the UK, producing recommendations for oral health strategy based on local needs, and developing business cases to implement cost-effective oral health initiatives. The reports and recommendations can be viewed here and the resulting North East London Oral Health profile is also available.
The OHNAU also works with national (Department of Health) and international (World Health Organisation) collaborators, providing academic support and infrastructure to carry out surveys. It has a track record of conducting national and international oral health surveys.
The unit is based at the Queen Mary University Institute of Dentistry on New Road, Whitechapel (map/directions) and can be contacted on 0207 882 8632.