Jessica A. Holloway
BASCD and BSODR joint anniversary event
BASCD and BSODR joint anniversary event

The British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry (BASCD) and the British Society for Oral and Dental Research (BSODR) jointly celebrated their 50th and 70th anniversaries on Friday 21 April by hosting an online event, titled 'Behavioural Science's Contribution to Dentistry: Perspectives from Guiding and Rising Stars', featuring talks by recognised 'stars' in the field of behavioural sciences in relation to dentistry from both societies. The field of behavioural sciences has played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of dental diseases and in developing effective strategies to tackle some of the challenges faced by the dental profession. The aim of this event was to reflect on the contribution of behavioural science to dentistry and provide insight into how behavioural sciences have been applied in different contexts across dentistry. The event began with a welcome from BASCD President, Dr Albert Yeung and BSODR President, Professor Rachel Waddington. Following a short reflection on the recent activities and milestones reached by both organisations, the event's guiding star was introduced. Professor Sarah Baker from the University of Sheffield provided a comprehensive account of the evolution of behavioural science in dentistry. Her presentation was informative and insightful, encompassing the current knowledge of behavioural science, the significance of interdisciplinary approaches, and the importance of understanding the context in addressing population oral health problems. She also discussed the Consensus Statement on Future Directions for Behavioural and Social Sciences in Oral Health and a useful infographic highlighting Recommendations for Future Research. The first rising star presentation was delivered by Dr Anwen Cope, Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Dental Public Health at the University of Cardiff. Dr Cope shared findings from a Health and Care Research Wales funded study, and gave informative insights into the challenges associated with risk-based recall intervals in general dental practice. Dr Cope also discussed how behavioural sciences can aid in understanding these barriers. Next, Dr Martha Paisi, Senior Research Fellow in Public Health at the University of Plymouth and Research Lead at Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise presented on the complexities of mental health in homelessness and importance of developing trauma-informed approaches and pushing for equity and justice. Dr Rachael England, Education and Public Health Manager at FDI World Dental Federation shared her research into the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on adult oral hygiene behaviours and access to oral healthcare. Dr England shared stories from people involved in her research and the importance of advocating for the common risk factor approach and integration of oral health into primary care. James Bird, Community Dental Officer and NIHR In-Practice Fellow presented his research on quality of life of those living with disabilities. He discussed the difficulties of measuring quality of life using traditional methods and the importance of shared decision making and co-design. The event's closure was presided over by Dr Yeung and Professor Waddington, who expressed their gratitude to all the speakers and also emphasised the vital role of behavioural science in advancing the sustainability agenda. Key takeaways: Behavioural sciences have a significant role in addressing issues across many different contexts in dentistry Combining the expertise of different fields through interdisciplinary working is vital in solving complex problems Understanding the theory and context is crucial to developing effective behavioural interventions. This event highlighted the importance of adopting a behavioural science lens in dentistry to address the multifaceted challenges faced by the dental profession. Incorporating behavioural science insights and methods can lead to the development of more effective interventions, enhance patient outcomes, and advance the sustainability agenda. The interdisciplinary nature of this field highlights the importance of collaboration across disciplines and underscores the need for continued research and innovation in this field. BASCD will continue their 50th anniversary celebrations at their annual summer conference in Cork, 15-16 June 2023. For more information go to: https://www.bascd.org/event/bascd-summer-scientific-meeting-2023/. BSODR 70th Anniversary Meeting will be held at Queen Mary University of London, 6-8 September 2023. For more information: https://bsodr.org.uk/annual-meeting-2023/.