Publications

We’ve published a paper in a journal called Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology which describes what we found out from interviewing people about visiting the dentist and observing visits to urgent dental care services.

You can read the full paper here.

Photovoice exhibition

On 13th February 2020, together with the RETURN community advisory group, the RETURN team also organized an exhibition showcasing two of our community involvement projects.

It took place in the fabulous surroundings of the Chapel in the Foresight Centre in Liverpool which is a Grade II listed building steeped in local history and character.

Community project 1: Photovoice – local community members show and curate their photos and stories around dental visiting

Nine local community members took 18 photos and attended several meetings where they discussed their associated stories around “What makes it easy or difficult for you to go to the dentist when you don’t have a dental problem?”

The local community members curated the exhibition with these photos and stories. Four community group members were present at the event, talking to dentists and stakeholders who attended about their experiences with dental visiting.

Community project 2: Young people following group sessions with the Princes Trust reflect on their journey to visit a dentist

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service run The Prince’s Trust Team Programme which helps young people to get their lives working by giving them the opportunity to gain skills and confidence.

RETURN team members visited their teams of young people across Merseyside to talk to them about what encourages or prevents them from going to the dentist. They were then invited to take a photograph of something which symbolised their experience. Nine of these photographs featured in the Photovoice exhibition