Dentistry

Amar Sholapurkar

Senior Lecturer, Clinical Dentistry & Oral Radiology
amar.sholapurkar@jcu.edu.au

Doris Pierce

Lecturer, Dental Sciences
doris.pierce@jcu.edu.au

Manjunath Rajashekhar

Senior Lecturer in Clinical Dentistry and Dental Public Health
manjunath.rajashekhar@jcu.edu.au

Alex Dancyger

Senior Lecturer, Clinical Dentistry
alex.dancyger@jcu.edu.au

John Abbott

Professor in Prosthodontics and Operative Dentistry
john.abbott@jcu.edu.au

Andrew Lee

Adjunct Associate Professor
andrew.lee2@jcu.edu.au

Felicity Croker

Adjunct Associate Professor
felicity.croker@jcu.edu.au

Kornelija Sfera

Senior Lecturer, Oral Histology & Physiology
kornelija.sfera@jcu.edu.au

Preventing reperfusion injury in stroke with an acutely dosed NK1R antagonist prodrug (Old ID 27621)

Alan Nimmo

01 Jan 2022 - 31 Dec 2023

Stroke represents a major clinical and societal burden, being a leading cause of adult disability, dementia, and death. The aim is to develop a novel therapeutic approach to significantly improve patient outcomes following an ischaemic stroke through the development of a novel therapeutic agent that can be delivered in conjunction with current approved reperfusion therapy. The plan involves critical de-risking efforts to deliver a low-risk strategy for progression to clinical trial. The plan focuses on the development of prodrugs of the NK1R antagonist, befetupitant, appropriately soluble for i.v. dosing, and accompanied by preclinical PK-PD data for formal, rapid preclinical development.

Development and characterization of a Novel Zirconia Implant material with enhanced mechanical properties and bio-compatibility (Old ID 27124)

Dileep Sharma

01 Jan 2021 - 31 Dec 2021

Zirconia dental implants have been recently developed as a viable, aesthetic, non-metallic alternative for dental implant fabrication compared to the titanium implants. However, significant challenges have been encountered in acceptance of zirconia implants in clinical practice due to the low fracture resistance inherent within the zirconia material that can lead to structural failure of implant. This has created a need for further research into its crystalline composition and forms to further enhance the mechanical properties of zirconia making it more suitable for dental implants. This study will assess the mechanical and chemical properties of the novel zirconia material developed in our lab and evaluates the effect of various surface modifications on its mechanical properties. Furthermore, cellular interactions that play a vital role in wound healing after placement of implant will be ascertained to promote successful implant osseointegration of novel zirconia dental implants.

Social Work collaborates with Dentistry to equip undergraduate dental students with training resources to ensure best practice and competency in recognizing and responding to domestic and sexual violence. (Old ID 30044)

Felicity Croker

01 Apr 2023 - 30 Apr 2025

Training JCU Dentistry students identified gaps in domestic and sexual violence (DSV) resources specifically designed for dentists. Dentistry-focussed resources would effectively demonstrate the vital skills required to competently recognise and respond (RR) to DSV. This project aims to develop, implement and evaluate such resources utilising a PAR model. Outcomes include simulation resources that enhance education of JCU dental students, clinical staff, and supervisors. Resources will also be available to organisations beyond JCU to train the broader health workforce, aligning with grant requirements for projects that contribute to ending violence against women and children in one generation. Dissemination will include academic journals and conferences.

Autologous Platelet-Derivated Grown Factors for the Functionalization of PCL-3D Printed Construct: an in-vitro and in-vivo study

Tulio Fernandez Medina

Immunomodulatory properties of three different chairside autologous blood preparations for the functionalization of pcl-3d printed constructs.

Tulio Fernandez Medina

Reprograming innate inflammatory response on neutrophils by altering the protein corona of titanium surface

Tulio Fernandez Medina

A Novel Highly Porous Bioresorbable 3D Scaffold using Pure Zinc Mesh for a Vertical Bone Augmentation

Tulio Fernandez Medina

Reprograming innate inflammatory response on dental implants towards advance osseointegration

Tulio Fernandez Medina

Do genes sensitive to insufficient folate increase the occurrence of cleft lip and palate in humans? (Old ID 31123)

Doris Pierce

01 Feb 2024 - 31 Jan 2025

Cleft lip +/- palate is the most frequent birth deformity. Although associated with lower socioeconomic status and malnutrition, there is currently no explanation for its occurrence. Folate deficiency (vitamin B9) has been implicated in the occurrence of cleft lip and palate. Using samples from affected persons and their parents, this project will examine the function of specific genes known to require adequate folate and involved in facial development. If altered gene expression is found, personalised preconception folate supplementation may prevent the occurrence of this lifelong deformity.