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 four 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, and a study to develop and implement a package to improve oral health in residents of Aged Care Facilities in Queensland and NSW.
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
2023
Journal Article
Oral health messages for Australia: A national consensus statement
Welti, R., Chinotti, M., Walsh, O., Arcus, M., Asgari, J., Phillips, K., Wallace, J., Do, L., Moynihan, P. and Silva, M. (2023). Oral health messages for Australia: A national consensus statement. Australian Dental Journal, 68 (4), 247-254. doi: 10.1111/adj.12973
2023
Journal Article
Trajectories of child free sugars intake and dental caries - a population-based birth cohort study
Ha, Diep H., Nguyen, Huy V., Bell, Lucinda K., Devenish-Coleman, Gemma, Golley, Rebecca K., Thomson, W. Murray, Manton, David J., Leary, Sam D., Scott, Jane A., Spencer, John and Do, Loc G. (2023). Trajectories of child free sugars intake and dental caries - a population-based birth cohort study. Journal of Dentistry, 134 104559, 104559. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2023.104559
2023
Journal Article
Tele-dentistry, its trends, scope, and future framework in oral medicine; a scoping review during January 1999 to December 2021
Niknam, Fatemeh, Sharifian, Roxana, Bashiri, Azadeh, Mardani, Maryam, Akbari, Reza, Tuffaha, Haitham, Do, Loc and Bastani, Peivand (2023). Tele-dentistry, its trends, scope, and future framework in oral medicine; a scoping review during January 1999 to December 2021. Archives of Public Health, 81 (1) 104, 1-14. doi: 10.1186/s13690-023-01128-w
2022
Journal Article
Water fluoridation, dental caries and parental ratings of child oral health
Foley, Michael Anthony, Sexton, Christopher, Spencer, Andrew John, Lalloo, Ratilal and Do, Loc Giang (2022). Water fluoridation, dental caries and parental ratings of child oral health. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, 50 (6), 493-499. doi: 10.1111/cdoe.12697
2022
Journal Article
How does the dental benefits act encourage Australian families to seek and utilise oral health services?
Bastani, Peivand, Izadi, Reyhane, Manchery, Nithin, Ha, Diep, Calache, Hanny, George, Ajesh and Do, Loc (2022). How does the dental benefits act encourage Australian families to seek and utilise oral health services?. PLOS ONE, 17 (11) e0277152, e0277152. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277152
2022
Journal Article
Early childhood exposures to fluorides and child behavioral development and executive function: a population-based longitudinal study
Do, L. G., Spencer, A. J., Sawyer, A., Jones, A., Leary, S., Roberts, R. and Ha, D. H. (2022). Early childhood exposures to fluorides and child behavioral development and executive function: a population-based longitudinal study. Journal of Dental Research, 102 (1), 28-36. doi: 10.1177/00220345221119431
2022
Journal Article
What are “health” and “oral health”?
Foley, Michael Anthony, Lalloo, Ratilal, Spencer, Andrew John and Do, Loc Giang (2022). What are “health” and “oral health”?. Journal of Global Oral Health (2) 1, 1-9. doi: 10.25259/jgoh_23_2022
2022
Journal Article
Digital health in children’s oral and dental health: an overview and a bibliometric analysis
Bastani, Peivand, Manchery, Nithin, Samadbeik, Mahnaz, Ha, Diep Hong and Do, Loc Giang (2022). Digital health in children’s oral and dental health: an overview and a bibliometric analysis. Children, 9 (7) 1039, 1-14. doi: 10.3390/children9071039
2022
Journal Article
Population impact of sugar-sweetened beverages on dental caries and overweight/obesity in Australian children
Ha, D.H., Arora, A., Harford, J., Luzzi, L., Chrisopoulos, S. and Do, L.G. (2022). Population impact of sugar-sweetened beverages on dental caries and overweight/obesity in Australian children. JDR Clinical and Translational Research, 8 (3), 23800844221091701-233. doi: 10.1177/23800844221091701
2022
Journal Article
Socioeconomic status and toothbrushing in Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian children
Fernando, C., Ha, D.H., Do, L.G. and Tadakamadla, S.K. (2022). Socioeconomic status and toothbrushing in Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australian children. JDR Clinical and Translational Research, 8 (2), 23800844221086205-147. doi: 10.1177/23800844221086205
2022
Journal Article
Group-based trajectories of maternal intake of sugar-sweetened beverage and offspring oral health from a prospective birth cohort study
Ha, Diep H, Nguyen, Huy, Dao, An, Golley, Rebecca K, Thomson, W Murray, Manton, David J., Leary, Sam, Scott, Jane, Spencer, A. John and Do, Loc G (2022). Group-based trajectories of maternal intake of sugar-sweetened beverage and offspring oral health from a prospective birth cohort study. Journal of Dentistry, 122 104113, 104113. doi: 10.1016/j.jdent.2022.104113
2022
Journal Article
Has the Child Dental Benefits Schedule improved access to dental care for Australian children?
Stormon, Nicole, Do, Loc and Sexton, Christopher (2022). Has the Child Dental Benefits Schedule improved access to dental care for Australian children?. Health and Social Care in the Community, 30 (6), e4095-e4102. doi: 10.1111/hsc.13803
2021
Journal Article
Early life and socio-economic determinants of dietary trajectories in infancy and early childhood – results from the HSHK birth cohort study
Manohar, Narendar, Hayen, Andrew, Do, Loc, Scott, Jane, Bhole, Sameer and Arora, Amit (2021). Early life and socio-economic determinants of dietary trajectories in infancy and early childhood – results from the HSHK birth cohort study. Nutrition Journal, 20 (1) 76, 76. doi: 10.1186/s12937-021-00731-3
2021
Journal Article
The influence of family socioeconomic status on toothbrushing practices in Australian children
Trinh, Van Anh, Tarbit, Emiri, Do, Loc, Ha, Diep and Tadakamadla, Santosh Kumar (2021). The influence of family socioeconomic status on toothbrushing practices in Australian children. Journal of Public Health Dentistry, 81 (4), 308-315. doi: 10.1111/jphd.12477
2021
Journal Article
Community water fluoridation
Vasantavada, Priyanka V., Hearnshaw, Simon, Do, Loc, Vernazza, Christopher R. and Zohoori, Fatemeh (2021). Community water fluoridation. Community Dental Health, 38 (3), 158-160. doi: 10.1922/CDH_Sept21editorial03
2021
Journal Article
Inequality and inequity in the use of oral health services in Australian adults
Ju, X., Do, L.G., Brennan, D.S., Luzzi, L. and Jamieson, L.M. (2021). Inequality and inequity in the use of oral health services in Australian adults. JDR Clinical & Translational Research, 7 (4) 23800844211027489, 1-9. doi: 10.1177/23800844211027489
2021
Journal Article
Oral health inequalities among Indigenous and non-Indigenous children
Haag, D., Schuch, H., Ha, D., Do, L. and Jamieson, L. (2021). Oral health inequalities among Indigenous and non-Indigenous children. JDR Clinical and Translational Research, 6 (3) 2380084420939040, 317-323. doi: 10.1177/2380084420939040
2021
Journal Article
Impact of dietary trajectories on obesity and dental caries in preschool children: findings from the Healthy Smiles Healthy Kids study
Manohar, Narendar, Hayen, Andrew, Scott, Jane A., Do, Loc G., Bhole, Sameer and Arora, Amit (2021). Impact of dietary trajectories on obesity and dental caries in preschool children: findings from the Healthy Smiles Healthy Kids study. Nutrients, 13 (7) 2240, 2240. doi: 10.3390/nu13072240
2021
Journal Article
Self-rated oral health and associated factors among a population in rural India—an epidemiological study
Bhat, Meghashyam, Bhat, Sreevidya, Roberts-Thomson, Kaye Frances and Do, Loc Giang (2021). Self-rated oral health and associated factors among a population in rural India—an epidemiological study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18 (12) 6414, 6414. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18126414
2021
Journal Article
Oral health changes among Indigenous and non‐Indigenous Australians: findings from two national oral health surveys
Jamieson, L, Do, L, Kapellas, K, Chrisopoulos, S, Luzzi, L, Brennan, D and Ju, X (2021). Oral health changes among Indigenous and non‐Indigenous Australians: findings from two national oral health surveys. Australian Dental Journal, 66 (S1) adj.12849, S48-S55. doi: 10.1111/adj.12849
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
Impact of Water Fluoridation as A Marker for Social Inequalities, possible Perceived Safety, Benefit and risks With Relation to Parental Support in Queensland, Australia
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Ratilal Lalloo, Dr Diep Ha
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Doctor Philosophy
Referral processes and best clinical practice in special needs dentistry, including aged care
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
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
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
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
Improving the Oral Health for Older Australians
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nicole Stormon
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Doctor Philosophy
The evolution of the oral health workforce
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nicole Stormon
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Doctor Philosophy
Predictors of Early Childhood Caries in South Australian Children
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Nicole Stormon, Dr Diep Ha
Completed supervision
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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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