Overview
Background
Professor Loc Do is a dentist and an oral epidemiologist with special interest in social and clinical oral epidemiology. He completed his PhD in Oral Epidemiology at the University of Adelaide. He was a lead investigator in the National Child Oral Health Study 2012-14 and the National Study of Adult Oral Health 2017-19.
Loc is currently Director of Research at the School of Dentistry, University of Queensland.
Research funding: Currently, he is the Chief Investigator A of five major NHMRC- and MRFF-funded research projects: a population-based birth cohort study investigating impact of socioeconomic inequality on child oral health, a longitudinal study investigating effect of early life exposure to fluoride, a study to investigate effectiveness of water fluoridation in Queensland, a study to develop and implement a package to improve oral health in residents of Aged Care Facilities in Queensland and NSW, and a study to develop and implement an intervention package to improve oral health of young people with intellectual disabilities.
Qualifications: BDS, MScDent, PhD
Research Interests: Oral epidemiological measurement of dental diseases. Quantitative analysis of oral epidemiological data including multilevel analysis. Risk and benefit trade-off in the use of fluorides in children. Natural history of dental fluorosis. Socio-economic inequality in oral health. Oral health-related quality of life. Smoking as a risk factor for periodontal diseases. Effectiveness and safety of water fluoridation in children. Complex systems science in dental research.
Awards and Honours: In 2025, Loc is the recipient of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) Distinguished Scientist John Greenspan Global Oral Health Research Award. In 2022, Loc is the recipient of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) Distinguished Scientist H Trendley Dean Award 2022. In 2023, his paper in Journal of Dental Research was awarded the IADR Abrey Sheiham Award for Distringuished Research in Dental Public Health.
Availability
- Professor Loc Do is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Masters (Coursework), University of Adelaide
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Adelaide
Research interests
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Oral epidemiology
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Dental public health
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Risk and benefit of fluoride
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Determinants of oral health
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Socioeconomic inequalities in oral health
Works
Search Professor Loc Do’s works on UQ eSpace
2026
Journal Article
Controversies and public health implications of community water fluoridation
Do, L. G., Ha, D. H., Spencer, A. J. and Rugg-Gunn, A. (2026). Controversies and public health implications of community water fluoridation. Journal of Dental Research, 105 (5), 561-569. doi: 10.1177/00220345251394295
2026
Journal Article
Integrating oral health in general health national policy frameworks for older adults: scoping review
Dhanapriyanka, Manori, Pritchard, Lyndal, Zamora, Angelique, Torwane, Nilesh, Silveira Schuch, Helena, Ha, Diep Hong, Perera, Irosha, Jayasekara, Prasanna and Do, Loc (2026). Integrating oral health in general health national policy frameworks for older adults: scoping review. Gerodontology ger.70085. doi: 10.1111/ger.70085
2026
Journal Article
Tracking the debate: geo‐temporal sentiment analysis of community water fluoridation on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) with five‐year forecast
Torwane, Nilesh, Lalloo, Ratilal, Ha, Diep and Do, Loc (2026). Tracking the debate: geo‐temporal sentiment analysis of community water fluoridation on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) with five‐year forecast. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, 54 (2), 231-240. doi: 10.1111/cdoe.70036
2026
Journal Article
Impact of Family Sociodemographics and Mother’s Toothbrushing on Australian Preschool Children
Rajesh, P., Ha, D.H., Do, L.G. and Tadakamadla, S.K. (2026). Impact of Family Sociodemographics and Mother’s Toothbrushing on Australian Preschool Children. JDR Clinical & Translational Research, 11 (2), 270-279. doi: 10.1177/23800844251326091
2026
Journal Article
Translating Observational Data Into Public Health Action: Reducing Early Childhood Caries Burden Related to Socioeconomic Disparities
Dao, An T. M., Do, Loc G., Schuch, Helena S., Nguyen, Huy V. and Ha, Diep H. (2026). Translating Observational Data Into Public Health Action: Reducing Early Childhood Caries Burden Related to Socioeconomic Disparities. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology cdoe.70064. doi: 10.1111/cdoe.70064
2026
Journal Article
Combating Misinformation in the Digital Age: A Machine Learning Approach to Protect Community Water Fluoridation and Promote Oral Health Equity
Torwane, Nilesh, Manchery, Nithin, Lalloo, Ratilal, Ha, Diep and Do, Loc (2026). Combating Misinformation in the Digital Age: A Machine Learning Approach to Protect Community Water Fluoridation and Promote Oral Health Equity. Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 86 (S1), 20-30. doi: 10.1111/jphd.70020
2026
Journal Article
The Australian oral health practitioner workforce: A scoping review
Carlson-Jones, William, Pritchard, Lyndal, Do, Loc, Gray, Jennifer and Stormon, Nicole (2026). The Australian oral health practitioner workforce: A scoping review. Community Dental Health, 43 (1), 5-15. doi: 10.1177/0265539x251381204
2026
Journal Article
Effect of early life income and sugars intake on child oral health – marginal structural modelling using a birth cohort study
Ha, Diep H., Bell, Lucinda, Devenish-Coleman, Gemma, Leary, Sam, Scott, Jane E., Thomson, William Murray, Spencer, Andrew John, Manton, David J. and Do, Loc G. (2026). Effect of early life income and sugars intake on child oral health – marginal structural modelling using a birth cohort study. Caries Research, 60 (1), 1-11. doi: 10.1159/000546215
2026
Journal Article
Response to letter to the editor: "Early childhood exposures to fluorides and cognitive neurodevelopment: a population-based longitudinal study"
Do, L. G., Sawyer, A., Spencer, A. J., Leary, S., Kuring, J. K., Jones, A., Le, T., Reece, C. E. and Ha, D. H. (2026). Response to letter to the editor: "Early childhood exposures to fluorides and cognitive neurodevelopment: a population-based longitudinal study". Journal of Dental Research, 105 (2) 00220345251390898, 278-278. doi: 10.1177/00220345251390898
2026
Journal Article
Achieving consensus on oral health in aged care: findings From an Australian e‐Delphi study
Pritchard, Lyndal, Do, Loc and Stormon, Nicole (2026). Achieving consensus on oral health in aged care: findings From an Australian e‐Delphi study. Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 86 (1) jphd.70031, 34-46. doi: 10.1111/jphd.70031
2026
Journal Article
G-Computation quantifying caries reduction by World Health Organization sugar limits in children
Dao, A. T. M., Do, L. G., Stormon, N., Nguyen, H.V. and Ha, D.H. (2026). G-Computation quantifying caries reduction by World Health Organization sugar limits in children. Journal of Dental Research 00220345251406559, 220345251406559. doi: 10.1177/00220345251406559
2026
Book Chapter
Lifestyle risk factors for oral diseases: an overview
Do, Loc Giang and Ha, Diep Hong (2026). Lifestyle risk factors for oral diseases: an overview. Lifestyle in oral health and disease: a comprehensive guide for oral healthcare providers. (pp. 13-20) edited by S. R. Prabhu, Saman Warnakulasuriya and Sanjana Bhardwaj. Cham, Switzerland: Springer Cham. doi: 10.1007/978-3-032-05888-1_2
2026
Conference Publication
Achieving consensus on oral health in aged care: findings from an Australian e‐Delphi study
Pritchard, Lyndal, Do, Loc and Stormon, Nicole (2026). Achieving consensus on oral health in aged care: findings from an Australian e‐Delphi study. International Association of Dental Research, San Diego, CA, United States, 25-28 March 2026.
2026
Journal Article
Government decisions to remove water fluoridation: a qualitative analysis
Sexton, Christopher T., Barzi, Federica, Do, Loc, Lalloo, Ratilal and Stormon, Nicole (2026). Government decisions to remove water fluoridation: a qualitative analysis. Critical Public Health, 36 (1) 2605755, 1. doi: 10.1080/09581596.2025.2605755
2025
Journal Article
Association of migration status of parents with their satisfaction with oral care provision for their children in Australia—insights from a national study
Balla, Sudheer Babu, Tadakamadla, Jyothi, Ha, Diep H., Do, Loc G. and Tadakamadla, Santosh Kumar (2025). Association of migration status of parents with their satisfaction with oral care provision for their children in Australia—insights from a national study. Australian Dental Journal. doi: 10.1111/adj.70034
2025
Journal Article
Intergenerational oral conditions’ relationships: the role of sugar intake
Kiuchi, S., Schuch, H. S., Matsuyama, Y., Osaka, K., Aida, J., Do, L. G. and Ha, D. H. (2025). Intergenerational oral conditions’ relationships: the role of sugar intake. JDR Clinical and Translational Research 23800844251390461, 23800844251390461. doi: 10.1177/23800844251390461
2025
Other Outputs
Interdisciplinary Co-designed Modified Oral Health Assessment Tool (M-OHAT) Training Material
See, Lydia, Ha, Diep, Walsh, Laurence J, Fung, Cheuk Kee, Schuch, Helena, Lopez Silva, Claudia P., Pritchard, Lyndal, Zamora, Angelique, Tran, Ngoc Kien, Khan, Sadaf, Le, Thu and Do, Loc (2025). Interdisciplinary Co-designed Modified Oral Health Assessment Tool (M-OHAT) Training Material. The University of Queensland. (Dataset) doi: 10.48610/f3bf4bb
2025
Journal Article
Implementation and acceptance of oral health assessment tools in residential aged care facilities: a scoping review
Pritchard, Lyndal, Burden, Kelly‐Jean, Carlson‐Jones, William, Stormon, Nicole and Do, Loc (2025). Implementation and acceptance of oral health assessment tools in residential aged care facilities: a scoping review. Gerodontology, 42 (4), 473-494. doi: 10.1111/ger.12811
2025
Journal Article
The use of silver fluoride for oral health and wellbeing in aged care residents: protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial
Ha, Diep, See, Lydia, Lopez Silva, Claudia, Schuch, Helena, Fung, Cheuk Kee, Pritchard, Lyndal, Zamora, Angelique, Hettiarachchi, Ruvini Manjula, Sexton, Christopher, Walker, Nicole, Henry, Julie D, Ludlow, Kristiana, Nangle, Matthew, Stormon, Nicole, Ivanovski, Saso, Georgiou, Andrew, Tuffaha, Haitham, Khan, Sadaf, Le, Thi Kieu Thu, Walsh, Laurence J and Do, Loc G (2025). The use of silver fluoride for oral health and wellbeing in aged care residents: protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial . JMIR Research Protocols. doi: 10.2196/87903
2025
Journal Article
Integrated strategies for early diagnosis and prevention of oral diseases in Asia Pacific
Seow, Liang Lin, Mendoza, Michael Antonio F., Tadjoedin, Fatimah Maria, Feng, Sheng-Wei, Pongprueksa, Pong, Truong, Linh Van, de Castro, Leo Gerald R., Lee, Yun Yee Amber, Garg, Vandana, Adiatman, Melissa and Do, Loc Giang (2025). Integrated strategies for early diagnosis and prevention of oral diseases in Asia Pacific. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 22 (11) 1737, 1737. doi: 10.3390/ijerph22111737
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Loc Do is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Available projects
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Queensland Child Oral Health Study 2020–2024
A population-based study of child oral health in Queensland. Funded by a NHMRC Ideas Grant. Investigates effectiveness and safety of water fluoridation using a before-and-after study design.
An UQ Earmarked scholarship for PhD candidates is available. See https://graduate-school.uq.edu.au/phd-scholarships-health
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SMILE birth cohort study 2013-22
A long-term population-based birth cohort study of children born in 2013-14. Funded by two consecutive NHMRC Project Grants. Investigates determinants of child oral health and overweight/obesity.
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Tooth for Health study 2019–2021
A follow-up study of 24,000 children who participated in the National Child Oral Health Study 2012-14. Funded by a NHMRC Project Grant. Investigates effects of early life fluoride exposures and dental caries experience on child general health and wellbeing.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Investigation of utilisation of dental health services by preschool children in Australia through Child Dental Benefit Scheme (CDBS) and examine the barriers/enablers associated with the level of uptake in Queensland
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Diep Ha, Dr Helena Schuch
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Doctor Philosophy
Socioeconomic inequalities in child oral health and related factors over a decade in Queensland
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Diep Ha
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Doctor Philosophy
Population oral health interventions and water fluoridation for the prevention of dental caries
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Ratilal Lalloo, Associate Professor Federica Barzi
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Doctor Philosophy
Healthy Smiles for Healthy Ageing: Integrated Care for Older Adults to Enhance the Quality of Life
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Diep Ha, Dr Helena Schuch
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Doctor Philosophy
Oral Health in Aged Care: Addressing Oral Health Inequity and Unmet Dental Care Needs in Vulnerable Populations
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Kristiana Ludlow, Dr Lori Delaney
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Doctor Philosophy
Referral processes and best clinical practice in special needs dentistry, including aged care
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Laurence Walsh, Dr Diep Ha, Dr Helena Schuch
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Doctor Philosophy
Improving the Oral Health for Older Australians
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nicole Stormon
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Doctor Philosophy
Reducing socioeconomic inequalities in early childhood caries: From causal pathways to public health action
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nicole Stormon, Dr Diep Ha
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Doctor Philosophy
The evolution of the oral health workforce
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nicole Stormon
Completed supervision
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2026
Doctor Philosophy
Liberating Voices: Exposing Sentiments, Discrediting Misinformation and Engaging Opposition to Forge Solutions in Water Fluoridation Info-Wars
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Ratilal Lalloo, Dr Diep Ha
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Contextual and compositional factors associated with clinical and subjective oral health in Australian children
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Ratilal Lalloo
Media
Enquiries
Contact Professor Loc Do directly for media enquiries about:
- Dental service
- Oral health
- Social determinants of oral health
- Use of fluoride
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