In partnership with the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, our multidisciplinary team of clinicians and scientists strives to understand and improve oral health and disease across the life course.
Our group works collaboratively across the Melbourne Dental School and the Melbourne Children’s Campus, undertaking longitudinal and interventional research to improve the health and wellbeing of children and their families, including those from priority populations.
Our research is driven by our strong relationships with family partners and a broad network of collaborators.
Research Projects
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Molar Incisor Hypomineralisation (MIH) is a common and burdensome condition that weakens tooth structure, leading to dental caries and tooth destruction. Although relatively recently described, it continues to puzzle scientists and clinicians worldwide. Its cause remains unknown, making prevention impossible, and treatment is challenging, as local anaesthesia and traditional restorative materials are often ineffective. Emerging links with other dental anomalies have raised questions about a shared aetiology, including hypodontia.
Members of the Paediatric Oral Health Research Group — Associate Professor Mihiri Silva, Associate Professor Felicity Crombie and PhD candidate Dr Stephanie Shields — collaborated with researchers from 14 countries in a 17-month study of 1,279 children attending specialist paediatric clinics. The findings, published in the Journal of Dentistry (2025), showed that children with MIH have higher rates of other dental anomalies, including hypodontia.
Using Australian data, Dr Stephanie Shields further examined the impact of MIH on oral health-related quality of life. Published in the European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry and presented at the International Association of Paediatric Dentistry General Session, the study demonstrated significant impacts reported by both children and their parents or caregivers.
The group is now building on this work to further investigate the impact, aetiology and management of MIH.
News & Events
Our Team
Associate Professor Mihiri Silva
Dr Stephanie Shields
Ms Yeganeh Khazaei
