Shared Decision Making in Dentistry

Overview

This PhD project investigates how shared decision making (SDM) operates in dental care and the impact it has on patients and practitioners. SDM is a collaborative process where dental professionals and patients discuss treatment options together, considering both clinical evidence and the patient’s values and preferences. This approach has been shown to improve communication, trust, and patient understanding of treatments, leading to more effective care plans and greater satisfaction. The project will map existing evidence on SDM in dentistry and examine how it naturally unfolds in real clinical settings.

Why It Matters

•  Patient-Centred Care: Empowers patients to actively participate in their treatment decisions.
• Clinical Impact: Enhances adherence to treatment plans and supports better long-term outcomes.
• Trust & Communication: Strengthens relationships between patients and dental professionals.

Key Objectives:

1.  Review and synthesise existing evidence on SDM in dental care.
2. Investigate how SDM occurs in practice within dental consultations.
3. Identify opportunities to improve implementation of SDM in routine care.

Why Choose a PhD at Dundee?

•  Research Strengths: Join one of the UK’s leading dental schools with strong expertise in public health and behavioural science.
• Expert Mentorship: Work closely with researchers dedicated to improving patient-centred approaches in healthcare.
• Collaborative Environment: Engage with interdisciplinary networks across dentistry, social science, and health psychology.
• Global Impact: Contribute to evidence-based strategies that can transform dental care and patient experiences worldwide.

Diversity statement

Our research community thrives on the diversity of students and staff which helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for postgraduate research. We welcome applications from all talented individuals and are committed to widening access to those who have the ability and potential to benefit from higher education.