The University of Sydney School of Dentistry - Overarching Strategic Goals and Objectives 2018-22

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The University of Sydney
School of Dentistry
Overarching Strategic
Goals and Objectives
2018-22
Contents

Introduction					1

Our Commitment				4

Current Environment and Opportunities		   6

Our Strategic Goals and Objectives		      8
The University of Sydney
School of Dentistry
Overarching Strategic Goals
and Objectives 2018-2022
March 2018

                                                        Introduction
Introduction

Sydney Dental School’s Strategic Goals and
Objectives are designed to build on the past
and to set a roadmap for dentistry over the next
three to five years. This period will see significant
change as the health disciplines are redesigned.

                                                        Overarching Strategic Goals and Objectives 2018-22
This document has been written in line with the
University’s Strategic Plan 2016-20.

This is a working document, the successful
implementation of its intent will only be possible
with ongoing open, purposeful conversation, clear
sponsorship, appropriate advocacy and committed
individual action and support.

Open, respectful dialogue will form the backbone
of Sydney Dental School’s culture and the work
done. This will promote both individual and
collective interest.
                                                        Page 3
Our Commitment                      Our Mission
sydney.edu.au

                                               At Sydney Dental School we
                                                                                   Our Vision
                                               engender in each and every
                                               member of staff a commitment
                                               to each other’s individual
                                               and collective successes by
                                               providing purpose, direction,       Our Values

                                               encouragement, reward for
                                               effort and the necessary
                                               support. This collective
                                               approach is essential for us to
                                               develop priorities, timelines and
                                               the required resources for a        Our overarching strategic
The University of Sydney School of Dentistry

                                                                                   goals for 2018-22 are:
                                               cohesive and coherent strategy.

                                               The following mission, vision,
                                               values and strategic goals
                                               and objectives underpin
                                               these commitments:
Page 4
‘Putting the Mouth into Health’, through the discovery of new
knowledge translated into practice, education of the profession
and leadership in public discourse.

We optimise health and well-being through integrated
academic activities.

                                                                                         Our Commitment
We help each other thrive and reach our full potential through our values of mutual
respect, personal dignity, diversity, inclusivity, cultural sensitivity, fairness, and
responsibility for both personal and communal outcomes. We will endeavour to work
as a community of innovators in a coherent and cohesive way.

                                                                                         Overarching Strategic Goals and Objectives 2018-22
Goal 1:                        Goal 2:                      Goal 3:
Culture and Values             Distinctive                  Research Excellence
To be recognised for           Sydney Education             To be recognised as a
helping each other             To be recognised,            leading centre for dental
thrive and reach our full      through graduates with       research in our quest
potential through our          the skills, values and       to improve health and
commitment to service,         knowledge as outstanding     well-being, with a robust
diversity, inclusivity,        contributors to improving    integrated platform of
equity, and responsibility:    health and well-being.       fundamental, translational
fostering cohesion             A place where students       and clinical research.
through the creation of        feel welcomed, valued,       A place where individual
cooperative and enduring       challenged and, through      and collective thinking
relationships. A place         contribution, can learn to   and effort is blended to
where people feel valued       be great practitioners and   achieve greater outcomes.
and can add value and are      researchers with a focus
responsible for acting in      on engaged enquiry.
the best interest of others.
                                                                                         Page 5
Current Environment and Opportunities
sydney.edu.au

                                               The mission, vision, values and strategic        A focus on student success will require an
                                               goals have been developed to counter a           emphasis beyond technical training into
                                               general tendency in the broader health           areas that prepare students for the complex
                                               domain of separating dentistry from              world of 21st century dental practice – new
                                               ‘mainstream’ health and medical care and to      technology, new information systems and the
                                               improve our global ranking both in research      development of ongoing education will help
                                               and education.                                   achieve this.

                                               The Sydney Dental School is an important
                                               contributor in the local and global world of       Our research will continue
                                               health care and well-being - a key provider        to focus on solving real
                                               of skilled researchers and research informed
                                               dental practitioners.                              world issues in tackling oral
                                                                                                  diseases to reduce general
                                               The Sydney Dental School has been firmly
                                               embedded at the University of Sydney for           health issues. Research
                                               over 100 years. We are the only dental school      efforts will focus on refining
                                               in Sydney where the population exceeds
                                               5 million, however we also outreach beyond         existing skills and finding
                                               the metropolitan area into regional and
                                                                                                  new talent to complement
                                               rural NSW. Our academic activities consist
                                               of integrated clinical service, research and       existing capabilities with
The University of Sydney School of Dentistry

                                               education. Sydney Dental School provides
                                               in excess of 500,000 hours of direct patient
                                                                                                  the aim of contributing to
                                               care to the most marginalised groups in            the local and global dental
                                               our communities.
                                                                                                  research agenda.
                                               This model of service, experiential learning
                                               and translational research provides the
                                               framework for substantial improvement of         Working better together will be an essential
                                               health and well-being in the communities in      requirement for success. Good systems,
                                               which we serve. Dentistry graduates provide      processes and infrastructure will need to
                                               an economic multiplier to our society, as        be supported by a culture of constructive
                                               each graduate increases the workforce by         relationships that enable more effective
                                               up to 3.5 workers (dental assistants, dental     outcomes. In addition, external relationships
                                               technicians, office managers).                   with the LHDs, Aboriginal Medical Services
                                                                                                and non-profit organisations, like the Poche
                                               With this in mind, it is important that Sydney Centre for Indigenous Health need to be
                                               Dental School positions and promotes its         strengthened to build greater understanding
                                               intentions with this mission, within the new and equity.
                                               Faculty of Medicine and Health and at the
                                               same time the greater University, NSW            To optimise resource use, Sydney Dental
                                               Health, other stakeholders, like Sydney          School leadership will guide staff and ensure
                                               Health Partners and globally. It is also vitally that the right resources and relationships
                                               important that the Sydney Dental School          are in place to achieve our goals. ‘Rethinking,
                                               keeps its students and their experiences top relearning, reimagining and recreating’ will be
                                               of mind. The courses offered and the quality encouraged. A concerted effort will be made
                                               of the education students receive will be        to develop talent within the Sydney Dental
Page 6

                                               critical to Sydney Dental School’s success.      School and to carefully recruit where needed.
Current Environment and Opportunities
The work of the Sydney Dental School, both            Within the next decade we expect the living
in the research and education spaces,                 lab will be internationally renowned for new
needs to be in alignment with the University          models of research excellence built on a
Faculty Operating Model (FOM) - being                 partnership approach, to co-create, explore,
mindful of both financial constraints                 experiment with, and evaluate new ways
and demonstrating value for money. The                of doing business in a real-life context. It
centralisation of administrative functions            will help bring to life a culture of innovation
will be an opportunity to rethink how                 through experimentation and evaluation. It
the Sydney Dental School operates, find               will foster widespread involvement in change
efficiencies and increase effectiveness               amongst the University, the precinct partners
to ensure a stronger focus on our core                and the constituencies supported by them.
activities of dental research and education.
                                              Through the living lab, we will meet the needs
Beyond - 2022                                 of the community today and into the future
                                              by developing a knowledge economy and
Over the next decade, Sydney Dental School facilitating intellectual flexibility, curiosity and
will transform health care in our communities creativity, the ability to work effectively as
by leading the integration of dental and      part of a team as well as research, problem
systemic health education, research and       solving and communication skills.
clinical service.

                                                                                                         Overarching Strategic Goals and Objectives 2018-22
                                                      In summary, while respecting past work,
To enable this, the Sydney Dental School              the reality of falling rankings requires a shift
will develop a dental living lab in which it          in direction. There is a need to recognise
will base most of its activities. This living lab     the importance of ‘rethinking, relearning,
will be physically located at Westmead and            reimagining and recreating’ what is being
be embedded in the University of Sydney’s             done. It is the role of the leadership to
activities at Westmead. Its facilities will include   create the culture. A culture where the
clinical research facilities, collaborative zones     change required is consultative and
and other work areas to ensure the Dental             considers potential non-harmful mobilisation
School is consolidated to one site. Through           of staff to face difficult challenges and
this living lab, Sydney Dental School will work       exciting opportunities.
closely with precinct partners, the Westmead
Innovation Centre and partners across NSW.      The journey toward this future begins
                                                with us building on good foundations and
The living lab is where researchers,            pursing the Strategic Goals and Objectives
educators and clinicians will coordinate their that follow.
collaborations with precinct partners, local
authorities, citizens and/or businesses. It
will coordinate its activities with our similar
ventures at Westmead and Camperdown, and
will be a major component of the Westmead
Innovation Centre.
                                                                                                         Page 7
Our Strategic Goals and Objectives

                                               Strategic Goal 1 - Culture and Values
sydney.edu.au

                                               To be recognised for helping each other thrive and reach our full potential through
                                               our commitment to service, diversity, inclusivity, equity, and responsibility: fostering
                                               cohesion through the creation of cooperative and enduring relationships. A place where
                                               people feel valued and can add value.

                                               Objectives                                        b) Develop career mentoring support
                                               1. D
                                                   evelop ways of identifying and tackling         with an emphasis on female staff
                                                  issues affecting people’s ability to do           engagement and advancement to close
                                                  their jobs well.                                  the gender gap.
                                                                                                 c) Diversify the international student body.
                                                 a) Develop a ‘register’ to capture issues      d) R eview the mentoring program
                                                    in a transparent way ensuring they are          and offer it to all student, e.g. from
                                                    addressed in a timely manner.                   student enrolment to post graduation
                                                 b) Utilise the University’s workload              (e.g. through CPD).
                                                    planning process to ensure work
                                                    is shared in an equitable and              4. Provide appropriate education and
                                                    transparent manner.                           development opportunities for staff.
                                                 c) Review the processes of how
                                                    decisions are made and how best to           a) Identify training needs by undertaking
                                                    ensure solutions are well-socialised,           an audit.
                                                    considered, supported/resourced              b) Provide opportunities for ongoing
                                                    monitored/reported.                              professional development.
The University of Sydney School of Dentistry

                                                                                                 c) Embrace University training
                                               2. E
                                                   xpand and improve communications                opportunities and facilitate completion
                                                  among all constituencies in the Faculty.          of such training by all staff members.

                                                 a) Develop a cohesive and coherent           5. Develop a program that identifies,
                                                     culture despite geographical                 supports and develops leader talent at
                                                     challenges by setting a tone of caring       all levels and areas in order to ensure
                                                     for each other.                              there is a steady flow of resources
                                                 b) Implement regular town hall meetings         for leadership.
                                                    that focus on one topic for discussion
                                                    - Constituency academic and                  a) Develop a leadership needs ‘profile’ for
                                                    professional staff.                              the Sydney Dental School.
                                                 c) Develop a process to monitor and            b) Address the shortage of young academics
                                                     review the Sydney Dental School’s               by creating a pipeline for clinical
                                                     implementation of strategy.                     academic staff. This may be achieved
                                                 d) “ Meet the Dean” meetings with each             by emulating the Academic Career
                                                     student cohort (DMD, BOH, Postgrad)             Track Area of Concentration program
                                                     once per semester.                              pioneered by the School of Dental
                                                                                                     Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh.
                                               3. P
                                                   rovide a diverse, welcoming and              c) Review the model of
                                                  supportive environment for students                fractional appointments
                                                  and staff.                                         (and honorary appointments).
                                                                                                 d) E mbrace a diverse and inclusive
                                                 a) Review and modify our staff and student         approach to bringing new talent into
                                                    onboarding processes.                            the School.
Page 8
Our Strategic Goals and Objectives
  e) R  etrain/reinvigorate performance         8. C
                                                     onsolidate the Sydney Dental School
      monitoring, assessment and ongoing            into the Westmead Precinct.
      coaching for all staff supported by
      a revised workload policy based on         a) Develop activity-based workspace at
      input from the University’s Academic          1 Mons Rd. and relocation of G12 staff
      Workloads Monitoring Committee.               to 1 Mons Rd.
  f) P romote a fair, equitable and             b) Find final places for new dental clinics
      transparent system for the distribution       and Faculty operations, e.g. new building,
      of teaching workload to ensure that           renovation of existing building, or/
      substandard performance is identified         and be part of Stage 2 of Westmead
      and effectively managed.                      redevelopment which facilitates putting
  g) D  evelop a process to identify and           the mouth into health.
      celebrate exceptional performance
      and good citizenship and recognise         9. E xpand our capacity to further develop
      contributions from the past.                   our Aboriginal and Torres Strait
  h) D  evelop a mentoring program that is          Islander strategy.
       underpinned by diversity and inclusion.
  i) Every staff member to be provided with     a) Contribute more in Western Sydney (the
     one CE course per annum.                        largest population of Aboriginal and
                                                     Torres Strait Islander people in AUS)

                                                                                                 Overarching Strategic Goals and Objectives 2018-22
6. Develop succession planning for                  and drive research.
   key positions.                                b) Request support from other stakeholders
                                                    for this strategy.
  a) Identify future staffing needs and
      key vulnerabilities.                       10. D
                                                      evelop a Branding Plan.
  b) Develop a succession plan for key
     positions and provide appropriate           a) Develop with University Marketing
     development opportunities.                      and Communications and external
  c) Recruit externally where needed.               organisations a strategic marketing plan
                                                     to attract the most talented students,
7. Upgrade physical spaces and equipment            the most philanthropic donors and the
   to meet needs of students and staff.              most successful academic talent.

  a) Upgrade student common rooms and           11. E
                                                      stablish a Centre of Excellence.
     learning spaces at Westmead and SDH.
  b) Enhance Lecture Theatre Level 9, SDH.       a) Refine the vision to establish a Centre
  c) Establish a Sydney Dental School lounge       of Excellence owned/governed by the
     or tearoom for socialising and creating a      University/Sydney Dental School.
     space for informal exchange of scholarly    b) Develop a Research, Care and Education
     and other ideas (Westmead).                    Strategy for the Centre.
  d) U pgrade simulation clinic including       c) Source donors.
      more chairs and increased access hours
      to create a contemporary simulation
      environment embracing digital dentistry
      and facilitating better utilisation.
                                                                                                 Page 9
Strategic Goal 2 - Distinctive Sydney Education
                                               To be recognised, through graduates with the skills, values and knowledge as outstanding
                                               contributors to improving health and well-being. A place where students feel welcome,
                                               valued, challenged and, through contribution, can learn to be great practitioners.
sydney.edu.au

                                               Objectives
                                               1. E
                                                   stablish an effective and efficient          i) Employ evidence-based education
                                                  paperless curriculum.                              approaches, e.g. eliminate lectures
                                                                                                     that lack interactive learning
                                                 a) Ensure all clinical assessments are             approaches in favour of fewer, but
                                                     undertaken electronically via mobile            more meaningful student-teacher
                                                     devices or/and the NSW Health                   interactions, embrace technology-
                                                     e-record system, Titanium.                      supported content delivery and move
                                                 b) Review all assessments to adopt                 towards student-centred education.
                                                      best practice using central services-
                                                      ensure effectiveness and efficiency     2. P
                                                                                                  rovide a contemporary education
                                                      of all assessments, e.g. elimination of    and training program-a curriculum
                                                      handwritten essays.                        that positions us to offer the best oral
                                                 c) Collaborate with other schools in the       health education and training programs
                                                     new Faculty of Medicine and Health to       in Australia.
                                                     convert to fully electronic assessment,
                                                     e.g. Examsoft-style exam delivery.          a) Define what we want our graduates to
                                                 d) Implement dashboards using modern                be competent in based on:
                                                      Business Intelligence tools, such as            (i) ADC accreditation framework;
                                                      Tableau, that allow dental educators            (ii) Their readiness for the challenges
                                                      to build queries to assess individual                 of contemporary health care (e.g.
                                                      students, groups of students or entire                implant dentistry, CAD/CAM, etc.);
                                                      cohorts + permit students access                (iii) Skills and thinking around future
The University of Sydney School of Dentistry

                                                      to all their individual assessments at                 patient needs who may be
                                                      all times.                                             medically compromised, aged or
                                                 e) Embrace the vision of an “Education                     suffering from chronic diseases.
                                                      Data Warehouse” to provide a               b) Consider pre-requisites to
                                                      comprehensive picture of all                    assist in finding the best and
                                                      learners and detailed information               brightest students.
                                                      on the content of our curricula            c) Review current curriculum based on
                                                      and assessments.                                defined competencies and stakeholder
                                                 f) Improve the internal processes for               engagement, e.g. employers,
                                                     handling students who are not meeting            new graduates.
                                                     progression requirements as early           d) During calendar year 2017 revise DMD 1
                                                     as possible.                                     curriculum for intake 2019.
                                                 g) Develop feedback loops from                 e) During calendar year 2018 revise DMD
                                                      graduates that enable their post-               2 curriculum for intake 2020.
                                                      graduation readiness for practice to       f) During calendar year 2019 revise DMD
                                                      inform current and future curriculum           3 curriculum for intake 2021.
                                                      and resource development.                  g) During calendar year 2020 revise DMD
                                                 h) Facilitate educational excellence                4 curriculum for intake 2022.
                                                      by improving the patient allocation        h) Review current curriculum for BOH,
                                                      processes to promote active                     DClinDent, Grad Dips.
                                                      engagement in clinical learning.           i) Guide education to encourage
                                                                                                     the promotion of dental and
                                                                                                     inter-professional teams.
                                                                                                 j) Attract the best students by providing:
                                                                                                      (i) Excellent patient flow so they get
                                                                                                           adequate relevant experiences,
Page 10
(ii) Modern and well resourced              d) Establish a Clinical Educator
          facilities so patients and students        Development Program (CEDP).
          can take pride and pleasure in          e) Establish a research profile and agenda
          their environments.                        that supports education innovation.
     (iii) Excellent, trained, knowledgeable

                                                                                                 Our Strategic Goals and Objectives
           clinical educators to ensure         6. Develop the teaching of digital
           an excellent educational                dentistry to facilitate the transition to
           experience, and                         professional practice.
     (iv) Ample scholarship funding for
           research projects.                     a) Introduce denture CAD/CAM
                                                     (e.g., Stoneglass) into the entire
3. D
    evelop an innovative one-year,                  DMD curriculum.
   part-time advanced training program            b) Establish Stoneglass lab at SDH,
   for our graduates and other oral                   Spring 2017.
   health professionals.                          c) Introduce CAD/CAM for fixed
                                                     prosthodontics, e.g. Cerec.
    a) Undertake an international analysis       d) Expose students to benefits
       (e.g. North American AEGD curriculum,          of an e-record system by 2018
       UK internships) to develop a program           (Titanium implementation).
       framework in collaboration with            e) Introduce practice management to
       NSW Health.                                   the curriculum, e.g. managerial tasks,
    b) Review current Specialist programs           leadership training, finance, practice
        and Continuing Education activities to       models, etc.
        consolidate as appropriate and utilise
        expert content.                         7. F
                                                    urther develop CPD so that it meets

                                                                                                 Overarching Strategic Goals and Objectives 2018-22
                                                   the needs of the dental and other
4. Improve curriculum content in                  health communities.
   professionalism (goal to develop ethical
   practitioners who demonstrate integrity          a) Ensure that current successful
   and resilience).                                    CE continues.
                                                    b) Develop a future program for
    a) Integrate a thread of ethics,                   CE in line with the new faculty’s
       professionalism and law into                     objectives ensuring that Dentistry is
       all curricula.                                   well represented.
    b) Develop a greater awareness of cultural     c) Develop a human resources and
        competence and social responsibility           human capital plan to support future
        in our students.                               CE requirements.
    c) Assess curriculum components                d) Create a pathway for public dental
       that contribute to this objective,               practitioners for career advancement
       e.g. communication.                              - a facilitated pathway into
                                                        postgraduate courses.
5. Achieve greater quality assurance of
   clinical education.                          8. E nable better access to tertiary
                                                   dental care.
    a) Review clinical education development
       opportunities across other University        a) Review with NSW Health and other
       professional disciplines.                       stakeholders remuneration and models
    b) Establish a continuous improvement             of care.
        process utilising feedback from             b) Develop an effective and sustainable
        all stakeholders.                               model to integrate tertiary education,
    c) Conduct an annual review of clinical            research and clinical care.
       education across School disciplines
       and programs.
                                                                                                 Page 11
9. Establish a new state-of-the-art                 c) Plan for the Life Sciences in context of
                                                  simulation learning environment.                     the projected changes in the Medical
                                                                                                       School curriculum, and with reference
                                                 a) I dentify adequate funds.                         to discrete needs of the Sydney Dental
                                                 b) Find a location or refurbish existing             School’s students.
                                                     location until new space can be                d) Review internal budget allocation for
sydney.edu.au

                                                     allocated.                                         cross-discipline teaching (e.g., oral
                                                 c) Integrate CPD, other health disciplines            sciences, oral pathology, oral medicine
                                                    and NSW Health training into the new                and special needs teaching into the BOH
                                                    simulation clinic.                                  program).
                                                                                                    e) Develop service teaching in science (two
                                               10. Expand the external placement program.             oral science units of study for teaching
                                                                                                       in the Faculty of Science).
                                                  a) Introduce a 5-week mandatory
                                                       placement starting with intake 2017.       12. Develop an active educational outreach
                                                  b) Plan for 12-week mandatory placement            program through the establishment of a
                                                       starting with intake 2020 on a rolling         Dental Elective Immersion Unit of Study.
                                                       basis with the necessary curricular
                                                       changes to the 4th year DMD curriculum        a) Propose to Academic Board a 3 credit
                                                       and respective trickle-down changes to           point unit of study for overseas students
                                                       prior years.                                     in conjunction with Sydney Global
                                                  c) Ensure that no student is isolated                Mobility for visiting dental students in
                                                       during rural or other placements                 their third year or above. The goal being
                                                       via communication infrastructure                 to create a pipeline for HDR, income for
                                                       that provides pastoral and                       individual researchers, global presence
                                                       educational support.                             and reputation.
                                                  d) Broaden the view by developing                 b) Address the requests we have for
                                                       programs in private metropolitan                  overseas students to complete an
                                                       practices, socially disadvantaged metro           elective at the University of Sydney
The University of Sydney School of Dentistry

                                                       areas, primary health networks etc.               Dental School.
                                                  e) Provide general practice-type
                                                       experience in year 4 to allow students to 13. R eview postgraduate coursework
                                                       emerge as independent practitioners.           courses ensuring alignment with
                                                                                                      community needs.
                                               11. I ntegrate IPL into the curriculum.
                                                                                                     a) Review postgraduate course offerings
                                                  a) Collaborate on an action plan with                including consideration of the following:
                                                       current ADs L&T of all schools within             i) Student demand and
                                                       the new Faculty of Medicine and Health               community need.
                                                       and other related disciplines (e.g. social        ii) Course delivery flexibility.
                                                       work, psychology) to develop innovative           iii) Teaching methods.
                                                       academic activities to solve pressing             iv) Interdisciplinary learning.
                                                       health and social well-being problems.            v) Course numbers and types
                                                  b) Contribute to aspects of Medical,                      (e.g. advanced learning vs speciality
                                                       Nursing and Pharmacy education                        courses; the establishment of an oral
                                                       and draw upon the expertise offered                   pathology course).
                                                       by colleagues who have specialised
                                                       knowledge in non-dental areas.
Page 12
Strategic Goal 3 - Research Excellence
To be recognised as a leading centre for dental research in our quest to improve health
and wellbeing, with a robust integrated platform of fundamental, translational and clinical
research. A place where individual and collective thinking and effort is blended to achieve
greater outcomes.

Objectives                                           b) Source non-traditional

                                                                                                       Our Strategic Goals and Objectives
1. E
    nsure that all research effort is                  funding for research activities
   aligned with plans of the University                 (e.g., industry, philanthropy).
   and stakeholders.
                                                   4. Develop a research centre that will tackle
  a) Establish interdisciplinary                     the global challenge of chronic disease
     research activities.                             with a deeper understanding of the
  b) Maintain a register of research                 impact of oral health on the whole body.
      highlighting University and
      stakeholder alignment.                         a) Define the major research themes and
  c) Establish resources to promote and                strategic areas aligned to University
     acknowledge interdisciplinary research.            and NSW Health areas (key platforms
                                                        at Westmead: diagnostic sciences;
2. D
    efine the evaluation criteria for                  person centred care; sustainable health)
   established research projects and                    and develop succession plans for key
   continue existing research projects linked           research thematic areas.
   to #puttingthemouthintohealth.                    b) Exploit the Westmead vision of a “living
                                                        laboratory” to facilitate the evolution
   a) Develop criteria to evaluate all research        of leading health care practitioners
      themes’ linkages and collaborations               integrated with researchers focused on
      within the University and abroad.                 improving well-being.

                                                                                                       Overarching Strategic Goals and Objectives 2018-22
   b) I nvestigate all research funding             c) Integrate our life scientists into
       opportunities and develop a coordinated          Westmead initiatives with an initial focus
       approach to each identified resource.            on science: honours, HDR students and
   c) Ensure that all researchers keep their           applied medical sciences.
      academic profiles up-to-date to reflect
      their expertise, skills and ongoing        5. Implement research into health
      research projects as the foundation for       care delivery.
      attracting (1) HDR students, (2) local and
      (3) global research collaboration.             a) Develop diagnostic, preventive and
   d) Revise the HDR proposal template.                 treatment strategies.
   e) Engage with faculty researchers to            b) Align clinical guidelines in the context of
      identify collaborative opportunities               NSW Health priorities.
      within the Sydney Dental School, the           c) Recruit a Professor and Head of
      University and NSW Health.                         Discipline for Population Oral Health
                                                         supported by the MoH.
3. R
    eturn to the number 1 position in               d) Ensure that population health issues are
   research in Australia as defined by the               considered in all research initiatives.
   Excellence in Research for Australia              e) Link activities with the Centre for Oral
   framework. Recruit a Chair for Lifespan               Health Strategy (NSW Health) to explore
   Oral Health.                                          funding opportunities for research of
                                                         relevance to NSW.
   a) Support communication between                 f) Strengthen aboriginal oral health related
      Sydney Dental School life scientists and          research in partnership with the Poche
      the broader Westmead community with               Centre for Indigenous Health.
      a view to maximise benefits drawn from
      local scientific resources.
                                                                                                       Page 13
6. Support researchers to align current         9. Develop robust feedback loops and
                                                  research projects to contribute to the           agile mechanisms for revisions of
                                                  overall vision of putting the mouth              research activities.
                                                  into health.
                                                                                                   a) Establish an external advisory
                                                   a) Align individual research projects within       board consisting of leading global
sydney.edu.au

                                                      the Sydney Dental School and build               dental researchers.
                                                      teams of related research projects.          b) Use individual RBG funding as guidepost
                                                   b) Propose and schedule a program of               for sustainable research success and
                                                       collaborative working / information             funding/resource/support allocation.
                                                       and knowledge sharing opportunities         c) Undertake an international analysis of
                                                       throughout the year to facilitate               research priorities taught at each level
                                                       and enable regular scholarly                    (BOH, DMD, Masters, PhD, DClinDent).
                                                       discussion and debate, and sharing of       d) Develop the curricular framework.
                                                       knowledge through the academic and
                                                       student community.                        10. E
                                                                                                      stablish a Visiting Academic Program.
                                                   c) Improve the mentorship/research
                                                      school program for researchers and           a) Utilise Noel Martin Chair Endowment
                                                      HDR students.                                    within financial parameters for the
                                                                                                       establishment of a Visiting Noel Martin
                                               7. Embed data science in appropriate areas             Chair (VNMC) program.
                                                  of research (and education).                     b) Establish a baseline for short-term
                                                                                                       visiting professors to kick-start
                                                   a) Intensify collaboration with the Centre         collaborative research projects.
                                                       for Translational Data Science, Sydney      c) Attract a stream of high-calibre VNMCs.
                                                       Informatics Hub.                            d) Establish a standing VNMC Steering
                                                   b) Collaborate with NSW Health’s Centre            Committee led by the chair of the RC.
                                                       for Oral Health Strategy on the new         e) Establish successful collaborations with
                                                       e-record strategy to harness data               VNMCs as measured by established
The University of Sydney School of Dentistry

                                                       for research.                                   research metrics.
                                                   c) Link Biobank to dental e-record system,     f) Establish resources for the continuation
                                                      Titanium.                                        of the program.
                                                   d) Contribute to national and international    g) Review project after three years, to
                                                       Big Data projects linking oral health to        confirm productive outcomes from the
                                                       systemic health.                                investment made.

                                               8. D
                                                   efine and rearrange research support        11. I ntegrate education and research
                                                  structures (personnel, infrastructure             activities with the core thematic areas of
                                                  and governance) for establishing                  Westmead precinct: diagnostic sciences
                                                  sustainable research within the Sydney            and technologies; person centred-care
                                                  Dental School.                                    and sustainable health.

                                                 a) Undertake a needs assessment.                a) Ensure there are strong links with the
                                                 b) Undertake a gap analysis.                       hospitals and MRIs.
                                                 c) Implement research data management           b) Work with the MRIs with genomics,
                                                    principles in alignment with University           proteomics etc. for diagnosis.
                                                    strategy, e.g. eNotebooks, Research           c) Enhance the existing capabilities
                                                    Data Store (RDS), following established          in the diagnostic sciences for all
                                                    Research Data Management (RDM)                   undergraduate and post-graduate
                                                    practices, etc.                                  students to provide a solid foundation
                                                 d) Create a trial-friendly environment in          for future researchers.
                                                     collaboration with the LHDs to attract
                                                     industry funding.
                                                 e) Revise current funding distribution
                                                    model to incentivise and support
Page 14

                                                    HDR supervision.
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                           Sydney Dental School
                           sydney.edu.au/dentistry
                           T +61 2 8627 0463
                           dentistry.dean@sydney.edu.au

                           Produced by the Sydney Dental School, the University of Sydney, March 2018. The University reserves
                           the right to make alterations to any information contained within this publication without notice.
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