Research
Research Interests
Her research interests are broad and include root caries, erosion, tooth wear as well as coronal caries. she has a major interest in the use of in situ models to investigate coronal caries in conjuction with dental plaque studies (plaque metabolism and plaque pH) for further elucidation of the carious process. These models are also well established for food and product testing for industrial and Dental Association accreditation purposes. She has attracted external funding from research contracts and industry in excess of £3 million.
Professor Higham's principal research interest will be to continue to develop the technique of quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) and hyperspectral imaging for use in vivo for patient benefit in minimal intervention and preventive dentistry. The introduction of QLF has been a major breakthrough in Cariology research, since it allows the quantification of tooth mineral, without the need for extraction and sectioning of the teeth. The implications of this for longitudinal clinical trials involving patients, is vast. She is currently using QLF in projects involving xerostomic, paediatric, prosthodontics, orthodontic patients and in primary care. In addition it is proving useful, to quantify and visualise plaque in vivo. This has the advantage of offering a more objective method alternative to the traditional more subjective plaque scoring methods and does not require the use of disclosing agents.
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Research grants
Enamel de- and remin processes
UNILEVER UK CENTRAL RESOURCES LTD (UK)
May 2019 - October 2025
Advanced development of the constant depth film fermenter towards optimised biofilm modelling and development of functional insights of biofilm communities
UNILEVER UK CENTRAL RESOURCES LTD (UK)
October 2019 - March 2024
Caries Models for MFP Toothpastes
UNILEVER UK CENTRAL RESOURCES LTD (UK)
June 2018 - June 2019
Use of a CDFF oral biofilm model to investigate product associated changes in biofilm colonisation, ecology, structure and biochemistry
UNILEVER UK CENTRAL RESOURCES LTD (UK)
October 2016 - December 2021
Effects of metal cations on de- and remineralisation in vitro.
GLAXOSMITHKLINE (UK)
February 2016 - June 2018
Chemical interactions between the teeth and plaque.
GLAXOSMITHKLINE CONSUMER HEALTHCARE (UK)
October 2015 - September 2019
Development of high throughput robot protocols for dental enamel studies
UNILEVER UK CENTRAL RESOURCES LTD (UK)
October 2016 - December 2021
Estimation of the degree of fluoride substitution in mineral deposited during remineralisation of erosive lesions in vitro
GLAXOSMITHKLINE PLC (UK)
March 2014 - December 2019
The cost and value of different forms of information on oral health status and risk given to patients following a check-up in dental practice.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE (UK)
September 2014 - October 2019
Biological Caries Model and Fluoride Remineralisation Study
GLAXOSMITHKLINE PLC (UK)
October 2008 - September 2012
Pilot Study to Investigate the Use of QLF as a Screening Tool for Xerostomic Patients.
ORAL AND DENTAL RESEARCH TRUST (UK)
June 2001 - December 2003
Radiograph of lesions
UNILEVER UK CENTRAL RESOURCES LTD (UK)
June 2008 - May 2009
Early life exposure to trace elements and minerals and risk of asthma in children: birth cohort study.
ASTHMA UK (UK)
January 2004 - May 2008
Production of novel nano-composites of lactoferrin conjugated gallium and silver quantum dots and its biomedical applications
UK-INDIA EDUCATION AND RESEARCH INITIATIVE (UK)
March 2013 - July 2017