Overview
Background
My research expertise mainly focuses on applying advanced data science skills and modelling techniques to prioritize health interventions with best value for money. My research sits at the intersection of oral health and health economics, with a strong focus on developing tools that make dental care more equitable, measurable, and policy relevant. My work centers on creating preference-based instruments, such as the Dental Caries Utility Index (DCUI) and ECOHIS-4D, that capture the real-world impact of oral health conditions on quality of life, especially in children and adolescents. The oral health preference-based measure and the utility algorithm I developed using choice models is one of the first in oral health research in Australia. By translating clinical outcomes into economic terms, these instruments enable more accurate cost-effectiveness evaluations of dental interventions. I have been collaborating widely across multiple disciplines in Australia and internationally in health services research across a range of clinical areas including oral health, heart health hub virtual models, mental health, cardiovascular diseases, occupational violence prevention, cancer follow-up care and emergency services. I’m passionate about in cooperate consumer preferences for the healthcare decision-making process using choice modelling, where I can quantify consumers' preferences for different attributes of healthcare services.
Availability
- Dr Ruvini Manjula Hettiarachchi is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Dentistry, University of Peradeniya
- Masters (Research) of Public Health Dentistry, University of Colombo
- Professional Doctorate of Public Health Dentistry, University of Colombo
- Doctor of Philosophy of Health Economics, Griffith University
Research interests
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Health economics
Identifying health care interventions with the best value for money and measuring the effectiveness of existing and new health interventions.
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Consumer preferences and choice modelling
Consumer preferences and choice modelling Applying choice modelling to understand consumer preferences over different health care characteristics and incorporating choice modelling analysis to design health care based on consumer preferences.
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Patient reported outcome measures and health state valuations
Development of preference-based measures and utility algorithms to facilitate the outcomes measured in health economic evaluations.
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Dental public health and health service research
Economic evaluations of oral health interventions and supports evidence-based policy and resource allocation
Research impacts
I developed the first oral health preference-based measure and the utility algorithm. This instrument and the utility algorithm facilitate economic evaluations of oral health interventions targeted at children and adolescents. Currently, I am working with a Swedish research team undertaking a project to translate and validate the oral health preference-based instrument and inform the development of tariffs. I have prepared evaluation reports for the Medical Services Advisory Committee for a range of medical services including interventional and diagnostic procedures, which has directly influenced policy and practice.
I collaborate with The University of Queensland School of Dentistry and Metro South Hospital and Health Service oral health services on research projects to improve oral health of the vulnerable populations including children and elderly adults living in residential aged care facilities.
Works
Search Professor Ruvini Manjula Hettiarachchi’s works on UQ eSpace
2024
Other Outputs
MSAC Application No. 1783 - Genetic testing to detect PIK3CA mutations in patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER-2 negative, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, to determine eligibility for treatment with PBS subsidised inavolisib: PICO Confirmation
Yeoh, S., Hettiarachchi, R. and Tuffaha, H. (2024). MSAC Application No. 1783 - Genetic testing to detect PIK3CA mutations in patients with hormone receptor (HR)-positive, HER-2 negative, locally advanced or metastatic breast cancer, to determine eligibility for treatment with PBS subsidised inavolisib: PICO Confirmation. Canberra, ACT Australia: Commonwealth of Australia.
2024
Conference Publication
Comparison of ‘Dental Caries Utility Index’ and ‘EQ-5D-5L’ and the ‘Oral Health Impact Profile-14’: a cross-sectional explorative study
Abdalla, Victor, Hettiarachchi, Ruvini, Christell, Helena, Davidson, Thomas, Byrnes, Joshua M., Scuffham, Paul A. and Kularatna, Sanjeewa (2024). Comparison of ‘Dental Caries Utility Index’ and ‘EQ-5D-5L’ and the ‘Oral Health Impact Profile-14’: a cross-sectional explorative study. European Health Economics Association Conference, Vienna, Austria, 30 June-3 July 2024.
2024
Journal Article
Impact of removable partial dentures on masticatory performance in partial edentulism: a systematic review
Yaparathna, Navodika, Hettiarachchi, Ruvini Manjula, Love, Robert, Robb, Nigel D. and Abuzar, Menaka (2024). Impact of removable partial dentures on masticatory performance in partial edentulism: a systematic review. International Journal of Prosthodontics, 37 (3), 327-338. doi: 10.11607/ijp.8278
2024
Other Outputs
MSAC Application No. 1766 – Genetic testing to detect AKT-pathway alterations in patients with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer, to determine eligibility for PBS subsidised capivasertib treatment: PICO Confirmation
Yeoh, S., Hettiarachchi, R. and Tuffaha, H. (2024). MSAC Application No. 1766 – Genetic testing to detect AKT-pathway alterations in patients with hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer, to determine eligibility for PBS subsidised capivasertib treatment: PICO Confirmation. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Commonwealth of Australia.
2023
Conference Publication
Health system interventions for the cost containment of drugs used for cardiovascular diseases: a systematic review and exploration of how the results could be adapted to the Sri Lankan context.
Chaminda, J. L. P., Kularatna, S., Dharmagunawardene, D., Hinchcliff, R., Rohde, A., Brain, D., Hettiarachchi, R. M., Weerasuriya, S. R., Yapa, S. S. and Senanayake, S. (2023). Health system interventions for the cost containment of drugs used for cardiovascular diseases: a systematic review and exploration of how the results could be adapted to the Sri Lankan context.. 30th Annual Scientific Sessions of The College of Medical Administrators of Sri Lanka (CMASL), Colombo, Sri Lanka, 26 - 27 November 2023.
2023
Other Outputs
(November 2023), MSAC Application No. 1713 – Cardiac MRI in the diagnosis of myocarditis, Department Contracted Assessment Report (DCAR). Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, ACT.
Edmunds, K., Hettiarachchi, R., Teppala, S., Shiksha, A., Madeline, O. and Tuffaha, H. (2023). (November 2023), MSAC Application No. 1713 – Cardiac MRI in the diagnosis of myocarditis, Department Contracted Assessment Report (DCAR). Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, ACT.. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Commonwealth of Australia.
2023
Journal Article
Comparison of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS‐4D) and Child Health Utility Index (CHU‐9D) in children with oral diseases
Weerasuriya, Sucharitha R., Hettiarachchi, Ruvini M., Kularatna, Sanjeewa, Rohde, Alexia, Arrow, Peter, Jamieson, Lisa, Tonmukayakul, Utsana and Senanayake, Sameera (2023). Comparison of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS‐4D) and Child Health Utility Index (CHU‐9D) in children with oral diseases. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, 52 (2), 224-231. doi: 10.1111/cdoe.12917
2023
Conference Publication
Heart Health Hub virtual care pilot program for heart failure patients, Queensland, Australia; A cost consequence study
Hettiarachchi, Ruvini, McClurg, Alicia, Wallis, Shannon, Neill, Johanne, Tomlinson, Rebecca and Carter, Hannah E. (2023). Heart Health Hub virtual care pilot program for heart failure patients, Queensland, Australia; A cost consequence study. 44th Annual AHES Conference, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 21-22 September 2023.
2023
Journal Article
Valuing the Dental Caries Utility Index in Australia
Hettiarachchi, Ruvini M., Kularatna, Sanjeewa, Byrnes, Joshua, Mulhern, Brendan, Chen, Gang and Scuffham, Paul A. (2023). Valuing the Dental Caries Utility Index in Australia. Medical Decision Making, 43 (7-8) 0272989X231197149, 901-913. doi: 10.1177/0272989x231197149
2023
Journal Article
A discrete choice experiment to elicit preferences for a liver screening programme in Queensland, Australia: a mixed methods study to select attributes and levels
Allen, Michelle J, Doran, Rachael, Brain, David, Powell, Elizabeth E, O’Beirne, James, Valery, Patricia C, Barnett, Adrian, Hettiarachchi, Ruvini, Hickman, Ingrid J and Kularatna, Sanjeewa (2023). A discrete choice experiment to elicit preferences for a liver screening programme in Queensland, Australia: a mixed methods study to select attributes and levels. BMC Health Services Research, 23 (1) 950, 1-12. doi: 10.1186/s12913-023-09934-2
2023
Other Outputs
(August 2023), MSAC Application No. 1749 - Insertion of durable ventricular assist device (VAD) for use as destination therapy, Applicant Developed Assessment Report (ADAR). Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, ACT.
Hettiarachchi, R. and Tuffaha, H. (2023). (August 2023), MSAC Application No. 1749 - Insertion of durable ventricular assist device (VAD) for use as destination therapy, Applicant Developed Assessment Report (ADAR). Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, ACT.. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Commonwealth of Australia.
2023
Other Outputs
(August 2023), MSAC Application No. 1749 - Insertion of durable ventricular assist device (VAD) for use as destination therapy, PICO Confirmation. Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, ACT.
Hettiarachchi, R. and Tuffaha, H. (2023). (August 2023), MSAC Application No. 1749 - Insertion of durable ventricular assist device (VAD) for use as destination therapy, PICO Confirmation. Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, ACT.. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Commonwealth of Australia.
2023
Other Outputs
(August 2023), MSAC Application No. 1734 - Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) for the treatment of moderately or severely calcified peripheral artery disease, Applicant Developed Assessment Report (ADAR). Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, ACT.
Hettiarachchi, R. and Tuffaha, H. (2023). (August 2023), MSAC Application No. 1734 - Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) for the treatment of moderately or severely calcified peripheral artery disease, Applicant Developed Assessment Report (ADAR). Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, ACT.. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Commonwealth of Australia.
2023
Other Outputs
MSAC Application 1749- Insertion of durable ventricular assist device (VAD) for use as destination therapy. PICO confirmation
Hettiarachchi, R. M. and Tuffaha, H. (2023). MSAC Application 1749- Insertion of durable ventricular assist device (VAD) for use as destination therapy. PICO confirmation. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Commonwealth of Australia.
2023
Conference Publication
Comparison of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS-4D) and Child Health Utility Index (CHU-9D) in children with dental caries
Weerasooriya, S., Hettiarachchi, R., Kularatna, S., Rohde, A., Arrow, P., Jamieson, L., Tonmukayakul, U. and Senanayake, S. (2023). Comparison of the Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS-4D) and Child Health Utility Index (CHU-9D) in children with dental caries. 4th Annual Impact Makers conference 2023, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 14 July 2023. Brisbane, QLD, Australia: School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology.
2023
Conference Publication
Health system interventions for the cost containment of drugs used for cardiovascular diseases: a systematic review and exploration of how the results could be adapted to the Sri Lankan context.
Chaminda, J. L. P., Kularatna, S., Dharmagunawardene, D., Hinchcliff, R., Rohde, A., Brain, D., Hettiarachchi, R. M., Weerasuriya, S. R., Yapa, S. S. and Senanayake, S. (2023). Health system interventions for the cost containment of drugs used for cardiovascular diseases: a systematic review and exploration of how the results could be adapted to the Sri Lankan context.. 4th Annual Impact Makers Conference 2023, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 14 July 2023.
2023
Journal Article
Cancer survivor preferences for models of breast cancer follow-up care: selecting attributes for inclusion in a discrete choice experiment
Kularatna, Sanjeewa, Allen, Michelle, Hettiarachchi, Ruvini M., Crawford-Williams, Fiona, Senanayake, Sameera, Brain, David, Hart, Nicolas H., Koczwara, Bogda, Ee, Carolyn and Chan, Raymond J. (2023). Cancer survivor preferences for models of breast cancer follow-up care: selecting attributes for inclusion in a discrete choice experiment. Patient, 16 (4), 371-383. doi: 10.1007/s40271-023-00631-0
2023
Journal Article
Developing an Australian utility value set for MacNew-7D health states
Kularatna, Sanjeewa, Chen, Gang, Norman, Richard, Mukuria, Clara, Rowen, Donna, Senanayake, Sameera, Hettiarachchi, Ruvini, Mulhern, Brendan, Fozzard, Katie, Parsonage, William and MacPhail, Steven M. (2023). Developing an Australian utility value set for MacNew-7D health states. Quality of Life Research, 32 (4), 1151-1163. doi: 10.1007/s11136-022-03325-6
2023
Other Outputs
(April 2023), MSAC Application No. 1734 - Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) for the treatment of moderately or severely calcified peripheral artery disease, PICO Confirmation. Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, ACT
Hettiarachchi, R. and Tuffaha, H. (2023). (April 2023), MSAC Application No. 1734 - Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) for the treatment of moderately or severely calcified peripheral artery disease, PICO Confirmation. Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra, ACT. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Commonwealth of Australia.
2023
Other Outputs
MSAC Application 1734- Intravascular lithotripsy for the treatment of moderately or severely calcified peripheral artery disease. PICO confirmation
Hettiarachchi, R. M. and Tuffaha, H. (2023). MSAC Application 1734- Intravascular lithotripsy for the treatment of moderately or severely calcified peripheral artery disease. PICO confirmation. Canberra, ACT, Australia: Commonwealth of Australia.
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Ruvini Manjula Hettiarachchi is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Master Philosophy
A Business Case for Vital Pulp Therapy in Australian Dental Practices
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Unni Kunjukrishna Pillai, Professor Ove Peters
Media
Enquiries
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