Hayes Melanie

Dr. Melanie Hayes

CONTACT

Dr. Melanie Hayes
Dr. Melanie Hayes

E-mail: melanie.hayes@unimelb.edu.au

Telephone: +61 3 9341 1535

QUALIFICATIONS and POSITION

  • BOH (Newcastle)
  • BHSc(Hons) (Newcastle)
  • PhD (Newcastle)
  • GCPPT (Newcastle)
  • Lecturer

SHORT HISTORY

Melanie completed her Bachelor of Oral Health in 2007, and then completed an Honours program achieving First Class honours and a Faculty Medal. She completed her PhD in 2013; her thesis examined the occupational health of dental hygienists, with a particular focus on musculoskeletal pain. Melanie has had a number of papers published in peer reviewed journals, co-authored a book chapter and presented her research at a number of national and international conferences.

Melanie has completed her Graduate Certificate in the Practice of Tertiary Teaching, and was awarded a Faculty of Health and Medicine Teaching and Learning Award from the University of Newcastle in 2013. This award was in recognition for developing assessments and feedback which foster independent learning and critically reflective practitioners.

She is currently a Lecturer in the Bachelor of Oral Health program at the University of Melbourne and National President of the Dental Hygienists Association of Australia.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

  • Musculoskeletal disorders among dental professionals
  • Nutrition and oral health
  • Oral Health education

CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS

  • Effect of silicone instrument handles on hand comfort and strength
  • Ergonomic design and training for preventing musculoskeletal disorders in dental care practitioners (Cochrane review)
  • The effect of probiotics on periodontitis
  • Barriers to dietary advice provision by oral health practitioners
  • Cultural competency in oral health education
  • Oral health habits of young adults

CURRENT PUBLICATIONS

  • Hayes MJ, Smith DR, Taylor JA. Musculoskeletal Disorders in a 3 Year Longitudinal Cohort of Dental Hygiene Students. Journal of Dental Hygiene. 2014; 88: 37-42.
  • Franki J, Hayes MJ, Taylor JA. The provision of dietary advice by dental practitioners: a review of the literature. Community Dental Health 2014; 31: 9-14.
  • Hayes MJ, Smith DR. Tobacco use among Australian dental hygiene students is declining, but more still needs to be done. Tobacco Induced Diseases. 2013; 11:22.
  • Hayes MJ, Osmotherly PG, Taylor JA, Smith DR, Ho, A. The effect of loupes on upper extremity pain and disability among dental hygienists. International Journal of Dental Hygiene. 2013; DOI: 10.1111/idh.12048.
  • Hayes MJ, Taylor JA, Smith DR. Prevalence and symptom severity of musculoskeletal disorders among dental hygienists. BMC Research Notes. 2013; 6: 250.
  • Taylor JA, Hayes MJ, Wallace LG. Dental hygiene student experiences in external placements. Journal of Dental Education 2012; 76(5): 651-5.
  • Hayes MJ, Taylor JA, Smith DR. Predictors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among dental hygienists. International Journal of Dental Hygiene 2012; 10(4): 265-9.

CURRENT GRANTS

2014

  • The University of Newcastle Strategic Pilot Grant
    The effect of probiotics on periodontitis $2780

2013

  • The University of Newcastle Small Equipment Grant
    The effect of silicone instruments on hand comfort and strength $680

2013

  • The University of Newcastle Conference Travel Grant
    The effect of loupes on neck pain and disability among dental hygienists, International Symposium on Dental Hygiene, Cape Town $1500

2011

  • Priority Research Centre in Physical Activity and Nutrition Seeding grant
    Prevalence & contributing factors to musculoskeletal symptoms in academics - Healthy Workers, Healthy Life Group submission $5000

2011

  • The Dental Hygienists Association of Australia Inc. Dental Hygiene Research Fund 
    The effect of loupes on musculoskeletal disorders among the dental hygiene profession $3000

LINKS WITH INDUSTRY/CONSULTANCIES

  • Editorial Board member, International Journal of Dental Hygiene
  • Site Evaluation Team Member for the Australian Dental Council
  • Occupational Safety and Health Group, The Cochrane Collaboration

MEMBERSHIPS

  • National President, Dental Hygienists’ Association of Australia
  • Member, College of Oral Health Academics

TEACHING INTERESTS

  • Evidence-based dental hygiene practice
  • Developing assessments that foster critical reflection and independent learning
  • Inter-professional healthcare