Biography

I graduated and practised as a dentist in Yemen before obtaining a PhD in 2017 from King's College London in Biomaterialas and Salivary research investigating the role of salivary pellicle, proteins/minerals on erosive tooth wear under the supervision of Prof. Rebecca Moazzez, Prof. David Bartlett and Prof. Guy Carpenter. I also have an MSc from University of Bristol Dental School and PGCE from Cardiff University. I lectured on a variety of dental and biomedical programmes across universities and further education colleges. I was appointed in 2022 as a lecturer at the University of Portsmouth Dental Academy, shortly after was awarded the Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and in 2023 became the Department Director of Postgraduate Research. I also participate on a number of international scientific boards and act as an external examiner for dental schools in the UK.

Research interests

My current research interests lie in the areas of erosive tooth wear and the role of salivary proteins, minerals and pellicle in dental erosion and remineralisation looking into the function and modification of salivary proteins in oral health and disease. I am interested in measuring salivary pellicle/proteins and oral microbiome and study their interactions to oral tissues and dental materials. In this, I am keen to investigate the properties of ename, dentine and dental biomaterials to develop biomimetics aesthetic restorations. I am also happy to consider projects/PhD students in dental education including clinical haptic simulation, and projects that would inform FE and undergraduate students in making better dental career choices and progression.

Supervised Research Degrees

PhD Projects:

  1- Samina Zaheer – First Supervisor
Collaboration with the University of Leeds
Title: Investigation of the impact of sugary and acidic foods on dental erosion.

  2- Saagarika Sharma – First Supervisor
Collaboration with the School of Psychology, Sport and Health Sciences (Loughborough and Plymouth Universities)
Title: Effect of dental non-surgical treatment and chlorhexidine (CHX) mouthwash on the oral microbiome, salivary proteins, salivary pellicle, and vascualr function.

  3. Rajaa Shdaifat – First Supervisor
Collaboration with the School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
Title: Surface characteristics, cytotoxicity, and microbial adhesion of 3D-printed vs traditional materials for dentures and aligners.

  4. Tabarek Al-Rubaye – First Supervisor
Collaboration with the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science (Queen Mary University, UK) and the Dental School, American University in Baghdad, Iraq
Title: Accuracy and repeatability of photogrammetric scanning in complete denture implant cases.

  5. Zahra Akeel – First Supervisor
Collaboration with the University of Petra, Faculty of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences (Jordan), and Queen Mary University (UK)
Title: Biomimetic mineralisation using salivary proteins, extracellular matrix modulators, and dental pulp stem cells for hard tissue regeneration.

  6. Sandra Usidamen – Second Supervisor
Collaboration with the School of Medicine, Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences
Title: Investigation into the factors affecting biofilm formation on natural and synthetic dental materials.

  7. Fernando Duarte – Second Supervisor
Title: Masseter muscle adaptation following orthognathic surgery.

Master’s (MRes) Projects:

Theai San: Impact of chlorhexidine on the oral microbiome and cardivascualr function.

Lawal Alimat: Effect of different concentrations of chlorhexidine mouthwash on Nitarte-reducing activity.

Tayyaba Ansar: Toothpaste, saliva, and dental erosion
Emem Eno: Saliva factors in relation to systemic diseases
Shibani Eshwari: Preparedness of Dental Hygienists for Clinical Practice
Masuma Rahman Etu: Preparedness of Dental Therapists for Clinical Practice
Indumathi Nachiyar Kannan: Toothpastes, saliva, and dental erosion
Yusuf Adetola Kazeem: Perception and use of 0.2% Chlorhexidine mouthwash among dentists and DCPs in the UK
Tafannum Anjum Era: Efficacy and safety of Chlorhexidine mouthwash in dental patients