Professor Loc Do
Professor

Loc Do

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 64828

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

Biomedical and Clinical Sciences Dentistry

Qualifications

  • Masters (Coursework), University of Adelaide
  • Doctor of Philosophy, University of Adelaide

Research interests

  • Oral epidemiology

  • Dental public health

  • Risk and benefit of fluoride

  • Determinants of oral health

  • Socioeconomic inequalities in oral health

Search Professor Loc Do’s works on UQ eSpace

219 works between 2003 and 2026
All (219) Book (2) Journal Article (189) Other Outputs (3) Conference Publication (9) Book Chapter (16)

1 - 20 of 219 works

2026

Journal Article

Key mediators reducing socioeconomic inequality in early childhood caries

Dao, A.T.M., Do, L.G., Stormon, N., Nguyen, H.V. and Ha, D.H. (2026). Key mediators reducing socioeconomic inequality in early childhood caries. JDR Clinical & Translational Research, 11 (3), 444-453. doi: 10.1177/23800844251365536

Key mediators reducing socioeconomic inequality in early childhood caries

2026

Journal Article

Analysis of water fluoridation debates on meta platforms using advanced machine learning approaches

Torwane, N., Lalloo, R., Ha, D. and Do, L. (2026). Analysis of water fluoridation debates on meta platforms using advanced machine learning approaches. JDR Clinical and Translational Research, 11 (3), 454-464. doi: 10.1177/23800844251369336

Analysis of water fluoridation debates on meta platforms using advanced machine learning approaches

2026

Journal Article

From evidence to engagement: understanding online resistance to community water fluoridation for public health communication—a qualitative study

Torwane, Nilesh, Ha, Diep, Lalloo, Ratilal, Ludlow, Kristiana, Manchery, Nithin and Do, Loc (2026). From evidence to engagement: understanding online resistance to community water fluoridation for public health communication—a qualitative study. Journal of Public Health Dentistry jphd.70061. doi: 10.1111/jphd.70061

From evidence to engagement: understanding online resistance to community water fluoridation for public health communication—a qualitative study

2026

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 (2026). 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, 71 (2), 160-172. doi: 10.1111/adj.70034

Association of migration status of parents with their satisfaction with oral care provision for their children in Australia—insights from a national study

2026

Journal Article

Dentine hypersensitivity in the Australian adult population: prevalence, determinants, impacts, and management

Schuch, Helena S., Ha, Diep H., Le, Thu, Torwane, Nilesh and Do, Loc G. (2026). Dentine hypersensitivity in the Australian adult population: prevalence, determinants, impacts, and management. Journal of Dentistry, 173 106845, 106845-106845. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2026.106845

Dentine hypersensitivity in the Australian adult population: prevalence, determinants, impacts, and management

2026

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 (2026). The use of silver fluoride for oral health and wellbeing in aged care residents: protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial . JMIR Research Protocols, 15 e87903, 1-12. doi: 10.2196/87903

The use of silver fluoride for oral health and wellbeing in aged care residents: protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial 

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

Controversies and public health implications of community water fluoridation

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

Integrating oral health in general health national policy frameworks for older adults: scoping review

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

Impact of Family Sociodemographics and Mother’s Toothbrushing on Australian Preschool Children

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

Tracking the debate: geo‐temporal sentiment analysis of community water fluoridation on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) with five‐year forecast

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. doi: 10.1111/cdoe.70064

Translating observational data into public health action: reducing early childhood caries burden related to socioeconomic disparities

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

The Australian oral health practitioner workforce: A scoping review

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

Combating misinformation in the digital age: a machine learning approach to protect community water fluoridation and promote oral health equity

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

Effect of early life income and sugars intake on child oral health – marginal structural modelling using a birth cohort study

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

Response to letter to the editor: "Early childhood exposures to fluorides and cognitive neurodevelopment: a population-based longitudinal study"

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

Achieving consensus on oral health in aged care: findings From an Australian e‐Delphi study

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, 105 (9) 00220345251406559, 220345251406559-1143. doi: 10.1177/00220345251406559

G-Computation quantifying caries reduction by World Health Organization sugar limits in children

2026

Journal Article

Barriers and enablers of oral health implementation in residential aged care: a qualitative study of the australian royal commission inquiry

Pritchard, Lyndal, Do, Loc and Stormon, Nicole (2026). Barriers and enablers of oral health implementation in residential aged care: a qualitative study of the australian royal commission inquiry. Health & Social Care in the Community, 2026 (1). doi: 10.1155/hsc/5158065

Barriers and enablers of oral health implementation in residential aged care: a qualitative study of the australian royal commission inquiry

2026

Book Chapter

The study sample and data weighting procedures

Sexton, Christopher, Schuch, Helena S., Barzi, Federica, Lalloo, Ratilal and Do, Loc G. (2026). The study sample and data weighting procedures. Queensland child oral health – successes, challenges, and future directions: The Queensland Child Oral Health Study 2022-24. (pp. *-*) edited by Loc G. Do, Helena S. Schuch and Diep H. Ha. St Lucia, QLD, Australia: The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/66fbf9f

The study sample and data weighting procedures

Featured

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

Government decisions to remove water fluoridation: a qualitative analysis

Current funding

  • 2026 - 2030
    'Tooth fairy' therapeutics: translating dental stem cell secretome for gum disease from pre-clinical models to first-in-human trail
    NHMRC MRFF Stem Cells Therapies Mission
    Open grant
  • 2026 - 2029
    Leveraging state-of-the-art theories and practices to deliver optimal and equitable dental healthcare for children
    NHMRC Targeted Call for Research - Oral Health Care in Australia 2024
    Open grant
  • 2025 - 2029
    Achieving Good Oral Health for Young People with Intellectual Disability is Everyone's Task
    NHMRC MRFF Improving Health Outcomes of People with Intellectual Disability
    Open grant
  • 2025 - 2026
    The National Oral Health Survey of Vietnam 2024-25: national policy development toward the Global Oral Health Action Plan 2030
    The Borrow Foundation Grant Application
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2027
    Oral Health in Aged Care: Addressing Oral Health Inequity and Unmet Dental Care Needs of Vulnerable Population
    NHMRC MRFF Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Mission
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2024 - 2026
    Prevalence and determinants of dentine hypersensitivity in the Australian population
    Haleon Australia Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2026
    Reaching consensus on the integration of oral health in Residential Aged Care
    Australian Dental Research Fund Inc
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2024
    Developing a Policymaking Framework for Integration of Oral Health within Primary Healthcare in Australia
    Australian Dental Research Fund Inc
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2025
    Contemporary evidence for water fluoridation program - a before-and-after population-based study
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Determinants of inequality in child oral health at school age - A prospective cohort study
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Effect of exposure to fluoridated water in early childhood on child psychological and intellectual development
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant

Availability

Professor Loc Do is:
Available for supervision

Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.

Available projects

  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Socioeconomic inequalities in child oral health and related factors over a decade in Queensland

    Principal Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Diep Ha

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Improving the Oral Health for Older Australians

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Nicole Stormon

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The evolution of the oral health workforce

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Nicole Stormon

Completed supervision

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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