The letters making up the RETURN name are taken from the longer title for the project which is ‘InteRvention to rEduce inequaliTies in the Uptake of Routine deNtal care’

We also chose it for the name of the project because the research is all about encouraging people to go back to the dentist for regular care after visiting with a problem following a long time where they did not visit the dentist.

Who funds the project?    

We sent an application to the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). They fund research which they judge to be important priorities for health in this country. The proposal was sent to many different experts who give their views on things like whether it’s good value for money. We were delighted when we got the funding approved! The project is funded for over 5 years.

Our logo

When we started out, we had a go designing our own logo – there was a lot of discussion about colours!

After a while we started working with Non-Conform, a local company and they produced the logo we use now – it’s much better!

Connecting with the Community

We set up a Merseyside Community Advisory group (CAG) so we could work with local people to develop materials which people would find relevant and useful.

We found people to be involved in the CAG in different ways:

• We distributed a leaflet asking for participants and put these up in local shops, the library and other places
• We did a slot on Merseyside radio
• We set up a RETURN Facebook page and linked with local people
• The Liverpool ECHO printed a letter on their letter page

We knew our CAG would be a crucial part of our project and its beginning was very exciting.