
Overview
Background
Ratilal Lalloo is an Associate Professor, Teaching and Research, in the School of Dentistry, University of Queensland (2016 - ); and was the Teaching & Learning Director (2020 - 2024) and Higher Degree Research Director (2016 - 2019). He was an Adjunct Professor in the Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health (ARCPOH), University of Adelaide. He held an academic title of Professor in the School of Dentistry and Oral Health, Griffith University from 2014-2019. He is a dental public specialist, with an undergraduate degree in dentistry (1986), honours degree in Epidemiology (1992), Masters degree in Community Dentistry (1994) and PhD in Dental Public Health from the University College London (2002). After almost 20 years as a dental academic in South Africa he took up the position of Colgate Chair & Professor: Rural, Remote and Indigenous Oral Health, in the School of Dentistry & Oral Health, Griffith University, for 5-years from January 2009. He was then a Senior Research Fellow at ARCPOH for a year (2014-2015). He was an Associate Professor, on a short contract position, in the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Sydney (2015). He has been involved in the training of under- and post-graduate dental students, dental public health related research and various management roles. He has published widely and his main research interests vary across many dental public health issues including evidence-based dentistry, oral health-related quality of life and health inequalities.
Availability
- Associate Professor Ratilal Lalloo is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Dental Surgery, University of the Western Cape
- Bachelor (Honours), University of Cape Town
- Masters (Coursework), University of the Western Cape
- Doctor of Philosophy, University College London
Research interests
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Dental Public Health
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Oral Epidemiology
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Evidence-based Dentistry
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Oral Health Related Quality of Life
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Oral Health Inequalities
Research impacts
Ratilal has been conducting dental public health research for more than 20 years, mainly in South Africa and more recently in Australia. Prior to 2009 his research was essentially located in South Africa, and parts of east and southern Africa (Uganda, Tanzania and Uganda). He was a team member of a group convened by WHO Africa Region oral health directorate to critically review oral health policy across sub-Saharan Africa with the aim of proposing a revised policy. His research during this time extended across many areas of dental public health, including oral health promotion and prevention at the population level, oral health systems and services, oral health policy and dental education.
Since his arrival in January 2009 in Australia he has developed a research profile locally. He has published a number of papers based on student clinical placement experiences in rural remote Indigenous Australia, in mental health, in oral cancer with colleagues in Sri Lanka; and more recently on issues related to public dental services in Queensland and antibiotic prescriptions patterns in South Africa. His research on student clinical placements informs policies across all dental schools in Australia. His work in the mental health area should lead to changes in health policy in improving the oral health of mentally ill people in our community and ultimately to better oral health and improved quality of life for our mentally ill people. From his work with Australian and Sri Lankan colleagues oral cancer screening is now an integral component of the National Cancer Control Program in Sir Lanka. A national social marketing campaign has been implemented to reduce oral cancer incidence and utilisation of substances linked to oral cancer. His analysis of the dental public service wait list in Queensland has enjoyed significant media interest. The recent work on antibiotic prescribing, mainly related to dentistry, with colleagues in South Africa, is important in the global debate on antibiotic resistance. This work will inform guidelines on appropriate antibiotic prescription for various dental conditions and procedures. More recently, and since commencing at The University of Queensland in 2016, he has been involved in research in partnership with Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia and Alzheimer’s Australia. Both areas are of significance importance in oral health. This work has the potential to inform oral health policy and practices for people suffering these debilitating conditions. While at an early stage he is involved in developing research networks and collaboration with the Oral Health Alliance (this a joint venture between the School of Dentistry at UQ and Oral Health Directorate of the Metro North Health and Hospital Service [HHS]); and with the West Moreton (Ipswich area) Oral Health Directorate and more recently with the Office of the Chief Dental Officer in Queensland. These collaborations offer opportunities for health services and translational research that directly impact communities requiring these services. He is a leading member of a new (for now informal) forum of oral health academics and researchers to build collaborations with all stakeholders in the oral health arena, including State and Local goverments, the private and public dental services sectors, professional associations and industry.
He is a member of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study and specifically the global oral health expert group. This study, funded by the Gate Foundation, is a massive undertaking to annually monitor the health of the global population. He has published extensively on the Global Burden of Disease study; with significant translation to global, regional and country-specific health policy and practice.
Works
Search Professor Ratilal Lalloo’s works on UQ eSpace
1998
Conference Publication
Oral health status of 5-7 year old children in Tanzania, Uganda and Mozambique.
Lalloo, R and Hobdell, MH (1998). Oral health status of 5-7 year old children in Tanzania, Uganda and Mozambique.. AMER ASSOC DENTAL RESEARCH.
1997
Journal Article
Oral disease in Africa: A challenge to change oral health priorities
Hobdell, M.H., Myburgh, N.G., Lalloo, R., Chikte, U.M.E. and Owen, C.P. (1997). Oral disease in Africa: A challenge to change oral health priorities. Oral Diseases, 3 (4), 216-222.
1997
Conference Publication
Longitudinal caries preventive program among disadvantaged children in South Africa.
Moola, MH, Lalloo, R, Bawa, A and Dhansay, S (1997). Longitudinal caries preventive program among disadvantaged children in South Africa.. ALEXANDRIA: AMER ASSOC DENTAL RESEARCH.
1996
Conference Publication
Possible effects of structural adjustment on patient attendance at dental out-patient clinics in sub-Sahara Africa.
Hobdell, MH, Mwangi, DI, Lumbela, P, Tanda, A, Radol, JWO and Lalloo, R (1996). Possible effects of structural adjustment on patient attendance at dental out-patient clinics in sub-Sahara Africa.. ALEXANDRIA: AMER ASSOC DENTAL RESEARCH.
1996
Conference Publication
The cost-effectiveness of delivering dental care to members of a benefit fund.
Lalloo, R and Myburgh, N (1996). The cost-effectiveness of delivering dental care to members of a benefit fund.. ALEXANDRIA: AMER ASSOC DENTAL RESEARCH.
1995
Conference Publication
Evaluation of a Caries-Preventive Program in a School Community in South-Africa
Moola, MH, Lalloo, R, Bawa, A and Dhansay, S (1995). Evaluation of a Caries-Preventive Program in a School Community in South-Africa. ALEXANDRIA: AMER ASSOC DENTAL RESEARCH.
1995
Conference Publication
Longitudinal Caries-Preventive Program Amongst Disadvantaged-Children in South-Africa
Moola, MH, Lalloo, R, Bawa, A and Dhansay, S (1995). Longitudinal Caries-Preventive Program Amongst Disadvantaged-Children in South-Africa. ALEXANDRIA: AMER ASSOC DENTAL RESEARCH.
1994
Journal Article
An evaluation of a school-based comprehensive public oral health care programme.
Lalloo R. and Solanki G.S. (1994). An evaluation of a school-based comprehensive public oral health care programme.. Community dental health, 11 (3), 152-155.
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Ratilal Lalloo is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Does early access to public oral health services from 6 months of age prevent caries experience in children?
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nicole Stormon
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Doctor Philosophy
Impact of Water Fluoridation as A Marker for Social Inequalities, possible Perceived Safety, Benefit and risks With Relation to Parental Support in Queensland, Australia
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Diep Ha, Professor Loc Do
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Doctor Philosophy
Population oral health interventions and water fluoridation for the prevention of dental caries
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Federica Barzi, Professor Loc Do
Completed supervision
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Predictors of oral health in Australian children
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Pauline Ford
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Contextual and compositional factors associated with clinical and subjective oral health in Australian children
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Loc Do
Media
Enquiries
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