Dental Practice Education Research Unit

A dentist chair and equipment in a dental practice

About Dental Practice Education Research Unit

The Dental Practice Education Research Unit (DPERU) is a joint venture between Adelaide University and Colgate Oral Care, located within the Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health (ARCPOH) at Adelaide University.  

Established in November 1991, we identify and meet the information needs of dental professionals and the general public, promote preventive services, and support ongoing learning to enhance everyday clinical practice through professional development opportunities.  

Key capabilities

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Evidence-based resource development

Developing trusted oral health information and educational resources for dental professionals and the general public.

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Preventative oral health education and promotion

Designing and delivering educational programs that promote preventive oral health care and supporting the adoption of evidence-based preventive approaches. 

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Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

Providing online professional development opportunities for the dental workforce. 

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Research and knowledge translation

Converting oral health research evidence into practical guidance and educational resources for clinical practice.

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Information needs and communication

Identifying the information and learning needs of dental professionals and the broader community, and developing accessible, evidence-based information to improve oral health literacy.

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Population oral health expertise

Drawing on research expertise within the Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health to inform education, research translation, and practice. 

Explore Dental Practice Education Research Unit

Sponsored by Colgate Oral Care, the Colgate Special Topics Program is a continuing education program for dental practitioners. 

The program regularly develops brochures on important topics in dental practice, including both clinician- and patient-focused materials that support ongoing professional development and facilitate translation of knowledge into everyday practice.  

View all of our Special Topic Series resources, including professional and patient brochures by clicking the button below.

List of Special Topics


Focusing on oral health problems linked to smoking, as well as general health and dental benefits of quitting. 

Detecting and managing dental erosion, alongside analysis of the scientific evidence to investigate increases and what we can do about it.  

Dissecting the relationship between periodontal (gum) disease and diabetes, including the correlation links between diagnosis and likelihood of exacerbation with high blood sugar levels.

Explaining how patients looking after teeth and gums during pregnancy can directly affect your baby’s health. 

Using your dental health professional as the first line of defence in the early detection and monitoring of oral cancers to prevent fatal disease.

Addressing a widely-spread issue reported amongst patients which can impact access to care, and clarifying the diagnosis pathway. 

Providing guidelines for integrating people with disabilities into general dental practice with consideration to the needs of this cohort.

Exploring the relationship between cardiovascular disease and periodontal disease. 

Investigating the impact on the oral health management of patients with dementia. 

Supporting the importance of caries risk (tooth decay) assessment in children, one of the most common chronic diseases in young people.

Investigating the reasons for dental anxiety and its clinical consequences, as well as important assessment tools and management strategies to support patients with this condition. 

Exploring the impact of breastfeeding on infant oral health outcomes, including how breast milk may play a protective role against the development of malocclusions and dental caries. 

Describing the groups of periodontal diseases that impact patients who are overweight or obese, and exploring the mechanisms that connect these two chronic conditions.

Articulating the impacts of high sugar intake on oral health and other health problems, the classifications of sugars, and how to help patients avoid preventable decay. 

How to use preventatively orientated, evidence-based caries risk management in diverse cohorts to avoid the gradual erosion and loss of teeth.

Analysing the current evidence for the management of impacted third molars, including risks associated with surgery and the importance of a shared decision-making process between dental practitioner and patient. 

Focusing on the oral health status, particularly dental caries and periodontal disease experience, for Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Māori peoples, to support improving oral health across the lifespan and improve outcomes.

Discussing the diagnosis of root caries, risk indicators, prevention and treatment for this common yet preventable issue. 

Sharing information on a prevalent condition including the burden of TDIs, type of teeth and injuries involved, management and prevention strategies. 

Exploring the connection between Human papillomavirus virus (HPV) and oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPC), explaining symptoms, risk factors, preventative measures, diagnosis, treatment and management. 

Discussing the impact of nutrition on key dental issues including caries, periodontal disease, oral cancer and other health outcomes including oral mucosal disease and conditions, as well as how to prevent and control these issues through quality nutrition.

Providing information on various oral complications impacting medically compromised patients, including those who nil by mouth (NMB), using feeding tubes, undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and those in palliative care, and how to best support these cohorts. 

Explaining the importance of infection control measures in dental practice to avoid the spread of pathogenic microorganisms, including between dental practitioner and staff to patients and vice versa.

Interrogating the oral manifestations of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) and how dental practitioners and patients can work together to prevent dental diseases in affected patients.  

Explaining the importance of fluoride in preventing and reducing tooth decay, as well as providing a safety overview of the use of fluoride in oral health to dispel myths and support effective communications on this valuable mineral on preventing dental caries across the glove. 

Demonstrating the latest evidence-based status of interdental cleaning aids, appropriate tools in the market, and informed decision-making to support patient choice and effective cleaning.

Outlining the epidemiology, classification, clinical features, diagnosis and management of bruxism – the repetitive clenching or grinding of teeth.

Outlining the epidemiology, classification, clinical features, diagnosis and management of bruxism – the repetitive clenching or grinding of teeth.

Our online Continuing Professional Development Program (CPD) is based on educational material developed through the Colgate Special Topics Program. It supports dental practitioners’ ongoing professional development through self-directed learning.  

How does the CPD work?  

  • Each practice information sheet in the Colgate Special Topics Program is linked to an online quiz based on the content of the material. These resources are freely available to all users.  
  • Quizzes may be attempted as many times as required. 

To view results and/or claim CPD points, and/or claim CPD points, a once-off payment is required per quiz.  

Benefits for dental practitioners

  • CPD accreditation: Each successfully completed quiz is equivalent to one CPD point. In Australia, Continuing Professional Development (CPD) has been mandatory for dental practitioners since 2010, with a requirement to complete 60 hours over a three-year cycle. This program offers a flexible and cost-effective way to meet CPD requirements compared with traditional activities such as conferences and workshops.  
  • Knowledge enhancement: Supports the review and consolidation of evidence-based knowledge on key clinical topics, with direct application to everyday practice.  
  • Patient education support: Enhances practitioners’ ability to communicate relevant oral health information to patients and the broader community. 

Why participate in CPD?  

In addition to the benefits outlined above, Colgate Oral Care sponsors one free CPD point per year for dental hygienists, dental therapists, and oral health therapists who are current members of their professional associations in Australia and New Zealand. 

Quizzes available

Payment and CPD points 

Payment is not required to take our CPD quizzes.  

  • The required payment for notifying of results and/or issue of one CPD certificate per quiz is AUD$35. This is a once-off payment regardless of the number of attempts made at a given quiz.  
  • Upon receipt of the payment, your results on the quiz will be emailed to you within 10 working days. 
  • If you do not achieve a passing score for a given quiz, you can continue to attempt the quiz until a passing score is achieved. 
  • Once you achieve a passing score for a given quiz, you are able to claim one CPD point. 
  • You cannot claim for the same quiz more than once unless the content has changed substantially. 

Free CPD certificate  

Colgate Oral Care sponsors one free CPD certificate for existing members of the Australian or New Zealand Dental Hygienists' Association (DHAA/NZDHA), as well as Australian or New Zealand Dental and Oral Health Therapists' Association (ADOHTA/NZOHTA) if you provide proof of your current membership. 

This opportunity is available for the first 300 submissions per calendar year. To find out more, please contact us at dperu@adelaide.edu.au.

Since our inception, we have delivered initiatives in partnership with Colgate to tackle key dental and oral health issues, and encourage the effective communication of dental practice and science to both professionals and everyday consumers.  

Examples of these initiatives include:  

Colgate Periodontal Education Program

Aiming to stimulate and support periodontal care, this program explains periodontal gum disease, how it is diagnosed, treatment, prevention and management options.

Colgate Caries Control Series

This initiative on tooth decay management includes resources for practitioners and patients.

Oral Hygiene

Aimed at patients, this series focuses on the basics of oral hygiene, including effective brushing and cleaning between the teeth.

Fluoride Update Program

Developed in response to frequent requests from dental practitioners, these resources include professional and patient info, as well as guidelines on fluoride use.

Contact us

Dental Practice Education Research Unit 

Location

Location
Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health
Adelaide University
Level 4, 50 Rundle Mall, Rundle Mall Plaza, City Campus, Adelaide SA 5000

Telephone

Phone: +61 8 8313 4235

Email

Email: dperu@adelaide.edu.au