Newcastle University

Background

Following my BDS in 1977 I acheived a strong practical background in dentistry via 5 years in general dental practice and a busy senior house officer rotation in Oral Surgery. My academic and research credentials had their roots in the MSc in Conservative Dentistry (1983-84). I was appointed as lecturer in Restorative Dentistry at Newcastle University in 1987 when I established the MSc in Restorative Dentistry and new teaching programmes, for undergraduates and postgraduates, in occlusion and management of Temporomandibular Disorders. My PhD in composite inlay development awarded in 1992. I was appointed senior lecturer and honorary consultant in 1996. My clinical interests are in dental occlusion and management of TMD. My research in TMD is recognised internationally. I also continue with materials related research particularly for MSc and PhD projects.

Roles and Responsibilities

Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant in Restorative Dentistry, Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Degree Programme Director MSc in Restorative Dentistry
Coordinator - Occlusion teaching (undergraduate and postgraduate)
Coordinator - Temporomandibular Disorders teaching (undergraduate and postgraduate)

Senior Lecturer representative School Executive

School representative Faculty International Student Recruitment Committee 

Past Chairman of Directorate of Dentistry

Qualifications

PhD, MSc, BDS, FDS

Memberships

International Association of Dental Research
British Society of Dental Research
British Dental Association
British Society of Restorative Dentistry

Honours and Awards

Shirley Glasstone Hughes Award

My clinical teaching duties involve both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Five clinical teaching sessions are allocated each week including a diagnostic clinic and personal treatment session attended by students.

Undergraduate teaching involves clinical and pre-clinical training for 2nd to 5th year students. I am course leader for "management of TMD" and "occlusion" courses and provide lecturing, seminar provision and chairside teaching for the following courses:

• Key Clinical Skills (year 2)
• Crown and Bridge course (year 4) 

 My internal examiner duties relate to BDS stages 2, 3, 4 and finals.

I am lead author for two textbooks popular with both undergraduate and postgraduate students:

• Crowns and Other Extra Coronal Restorations, BDJ Publications, London
• Applied Occlusion, Quintessence Publications, Berlin 

Postgraduate teaching involves the MSc in Restorative Dentistry, GPT and STR training, keynote conference speaker and external examiner.

I am responsible for running the MSc in Restorative Dentistry. This is a two-year taught programme with clinical, academic and research components. Currently, we have 10 students enrolled. The course is recognised as being in the vanguard of postgraduate education and has been recognised as part of monospeciality training at Newcastle by the Specialist Advisory Committee in Restorative Dentistry. The course is popular with international and EU students as well as providing a component of training for Restorative Specialist Trainees.

My current external examiner appointments are:

• MSc in Conservative Dentistry, Eastman Dental Institute, London
• MClin Dent, Restorative in Conservative Dentistry, University Malaya, KL
• MSc and Diploma in Dental Practice, Prince Philip Dental Hospital, Hong Kong

 In 2011 I have been invited by the BDA to present at a one day conference on Occlusion in Leeds and London. I have also been invited to provide two days of occlusion teaching at the Royal College of England.

Research Interests

My two dominant research interests lie in Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) and Dental Materials Science. The main thrust of our TMD research is to devise a Quality of Life outcome measure for clinical and research use. I actively collaborate with Professor Jimmy Steele, Dr Finbarr Allen (Cork) and a group led by Dr Mike John from the University of Leipzig which is exploring psychosocial aspects related to TMD diagnosis. Our outcome measure project has already involved two PhD students (Justin Durham and Adel Moufti) and we are now embarking on the final phase to test the putative measure clinically. We have also involved an MSc student, Fatin Hasanain in important work to simplify the Research Diagnostic Criteria to allow dentists to make an accurate clinical diagnosis of TMD.

My current Dental Materials Science interests involve fibre composites, tooth preparation with dental lasers and testing of impression material properties. The first two subjects are being researched by two former MSc students, Rozana Bukhary and Fatin Hasanain, who are now doing PhDs. An important DDS project co-supervised with John McCabe was completed by Shakeel Shadad. This work has provided invaluable information on the wear resistance of prosthetic teeth used in implant retained prostheses.

The research component of the MSc in Restorative Dentistry comprises 40% of the overall marks and students are expected to spend that proportion of their time on their research projects. Where possible, I encourage students to select research subjects to fit in with supervisors’ research programmes enabling projects to support the School’s research profile. The format of the dissertation encourages preparation of a manuscript for submission to a targeted journal. Approximately half the projects are published in mainstream dental journals.

Future Research

Expansion of TMD research

Funding

Bench fees from Clinical PhDs (2x3y = £36,000)
Bench fees from taught MScs (4x2y = £4,000)

• Durham J, Steele JG, Wassell RW, Exley C, Meechan JG, Allen PF, Moufti AM. Creating a patient based condition-specific outcome measure for Temporomandibular Disorders (TMDs): Oral Health Impact Profile for TMDs (OHIP-TMDs). Journal of Oral Rehabilitation 2011, 38(12), 871-883.
• Durham J, Steele J, Moufti MA, Wassell R, Robinson P, Exley C. Temporomandibular disorder patients' journey through care. Community Dentistry Oral Epidemiology 2011, 39(6), 532-541.
• Moufti MA, Wassell RW, Meechan JG, Allen PF, John MT, Steele JG. The Oral Health Impact Profile: ranking of items for temporomandibular disorders. European Journal of Oral Sciences 2011, 119(2), 169-174.
• Wassell R. Commentary on: Disinfection of dental impressions - compliance to accepted standards. British Dental Journal 2010, 209(12), 599-599.
• Durham J, Steele JG, Wassell RW, Exley C. Living with Uncertainty: Temporomandibular Disorders. Journal of Dental Research 2010, 89(8), 827-830.
• Maglad AS, Wassell RW, Barclay SC, Walls AWG. Risk management in clinical practice. Part 3. Crowns and bridges. British Dental Journal 2010, 209(3), 115-122.
• Hasanain F, Durham J, Moufti A, Steen IN, Wassell RW. Adapting the diagnostic definitions of the RDC/TMD to routine clinical practice: A feasibility study.. Journal of Dentistry 2009, 37(12), 955-962.
• Wassell RW, Moufti MA, Meechan JG, Steen IN, Steele JG. A method for clinically defining "improvers" in chronic pain studies. Journal of Orofacial Pain 2008, 22(1), 30-40.
• Wassell RW, Hasanain F, Moufti MA, Durham JA. A variant Research Diagnostic Criteria (vRDC) examination protocol for TMD. Journal of Dental Research: IADR 2008, 87(Special Issue B), abstract no. 0275.
• Wassell RW, Naru A, Steele J, Nohl F. Applied occlusion. London: Quintessence Books, 2008.
• Durham J, Moufti MA, Steele JG, Wassell RW, Exley C. Can we improve the management of patients with Temporomandibular Disorders?. Journal of Dental Research: IADR 2008, 87(Special Issue B), abstract no. 1915.
• Durham J, Moufti MA, Exley C, Meechan JG, Wassell RW, Steele JG. Item selection for a Temporomandibular Disorders (TMD) specific outcome measure. Journal of Dental Research: IADR 2008, 87(Special Issue B), abstract no. 0277.
• Reissmann DR, John MT, Wassell RW, Hinz A. Psychosocial profiles of diagnostic subgroups of temporomandibular disorder patients. European Journal of Oral Sciences 2008, 116(3), 237-244.
• Durham JA, Exley C, Wassell R, Steele JG. 'Management is a black art' - professional ideologies with respect to temporomandibular disorders. British Dental Journal 2007, 202(11), -.
• Shahdad SA, McCabe JF, Wassell RW. Developments in denture teeth to prevent softening by food solvents. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine 2007, 18(8), 1599-1603.
• Reissmann DR, John MT, Schierz O, Wassell RW. Functional and psychosocial impact related to specific temporomandibular disorder diagnoses. Journal of Dentistry 2007, 35(8), 643-650.
• Shahdad SA, McCabe JF, Bull SJ, Rusby S, Wassell RW. Hardness measured with traditional Vickers and Martens hardness methods. Dental Materials 2007, 23(9), 1079-1085.
• Moufti MA, Lilico JT, Wassell RW. How to make a well-fitting stabilization splint. Dental Update 2007, 34(7), 398-408.
• John MT, Reißmann D, Schierz O, Wassell RW. Oral health-related quality of life in patients with temporomandibular disorders. Journal of Orofacial Pain 2007, 21(1), 46-54.
• Garnett MJ, Wassell RW, Jepson NJ, Nohl FS. Survival of resin-bonded bridgework provided for post-orthodontic hypodontia patients with missing maxillary lateral incisors. British Dental Journal 2006, 201(8), 527-534.
• Wassell RW, Adams N, Kelly PJ. The treatment of temporomandibular disorders with stabilizing splints in general dental practice: One-year follow-up. Journal of the American Dental Association 2006, 137(8), 1089-1098.
• Wassell RW, Adams N, Kelly PJ. Treatment of temporomandibular disorders by stabilising splints in general dental practice: Results after initial treatment. British Dental Journal 2004, 197(1), 35-41.
• Shahdad SA, Wassell RW, Mccabe JF. Effects of food-simulating solvents on the hardness of denture tooth materials. Journal of Dental Research 2003, 82(Special Issue B), B388 no. 3030.
• Din MA, Sidhu SK, Wassell RW, McCabe JF. Polishability, surface roughness and gloss of dental restoratives. In: Journal of Dental Research: 1st Annual Meeting of the International Association for Dental Research. 2003, Cardiff, UK: Sage Publications, Inc.
• Wassell RW, Walls AWG, Steele JG, Nohl F. A Clinical Guide to Crowns and Other Extra-coronal Restorations. London: British Dental Journal, 2002.
• Steele JG, Wassell RW, Walls AWG. Changing patterns and the need for quality. British Dental Journal 2002, 192(3), 144-148.
• Jacobs DJ, Steele JG, Wassell RW. Crowns and extra-coronal restorations: Considerations when planning treatment. British Dental Journal 2002, 192(5), 257-267.
• Whitworth JM, Walls AWG, Wassell RW. Crowns and extra-coronal restorations: Endodontic considerations: the pulp, the root-treated tooth and the crown. British Dental Journal 2002, 192(6), 315-327.
• Wassell RW, Walls AWG, Steele JG. Crowns and extra-coronal restorations: Materials selection. British Dental Journal 2002, 192(4), 199-211.
• Nohl FSA, Steele JG, Wassell RW. Crowns and other extra-coronal restorations: Aesthetic control. British Dental Journal 2002, 192(8), 443-450.
• Wassell RW, Smart ER, St George G. Crowns and other extra-coronal restorations: Cores for teeth with vital pulps. British Dental Journal 2002,192 9 499-509.
• Wassell RW, Barker D, Walls AWG. Crowns and other extra-coronal restorations: Impression materials and technique. British Dental Journal 2002, 192(12), 679-690.
• Wassell RW, Steele JG, Walls AWG. Crowns and other extra-coronal restorations: Introduction. British Dental Journal 2002. Nature Publishing Group, 192(3), 143.
• Steele JG, Nohl FSA, Wassell RW. Crowns and other extra-coronal restorations: Occlusal considerations and articulator selection. British Dental Journal 2002, 192(7), 377-387.
• Walls AWG, Steele JG, Wassell RW. Crowns and other extra-coronal restorations: Porcelain laminate veneers. British Dental Journal 2002, 193(2), 73-82.
• Blair FM, Wassell RW, Steele JG. Crowns and other extra-coronal restorations: Preparations for full veneer crowns. British Dental Journal 2002, 192(10), 561-571.
• Wassell RW, St George G, Ingledew RP, Steele JG. Crowns and other extra-coronal restorations: Provisional restorations. British Dental Journal 2002, 192(11), 619-630.
• Walls AWG, Nohl FSA, Wassell RW. Crowns and other extra-coronal restorations: Resin-bonded metal restorations. British Dental Journal 2002, 193(3), 135-142.
• Walls AW, Nohl FS, Wassell RW. Crowns and other extra-coronal restorations: Resin-bonded metal restorations. British Dental Journal 2002, 192(3), 135-142.
• Wassell RW, Barker D, Steele JG. Crowns and other extra-coronal restorations: try-in and cementation of crowns. British Dental Journal 2002, 193(1), 17-28.
• Long AN, Wassell RW, McCabe JF. A novel multilayer fracture strength ten. In: British Society for Dental Research: Annual Scientific Session. 2000, University of Lancaster, UK: Sage Publications, Inc.
• Wassell RW, Walls AWG, McCabe JF. Direct composite inlays versus conventional composite restorations: 5-year follow-up. Journal of Dentistry 2000, 28(6), 375-382.
• Wassell RW, Adams N, Kelly PJ. Treatment of temporomandibular disorders by stabilizing splints in general dental practice: 1 year results.. Journal of Dental Research 2000, 79, 622-622.
• McCabe JF, Wassell RW. Hardness of model dental composites - The effect of filler volume fraction and silanation. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine 1999, 10(5), 291-294.
• Wassell RW, Steele JG, Welsh G. Consideration when planning occlusal rehabilitation: a review of the literature. International Dental Journal 1998, 48, 571-581.
• Wassell RW, Walls AWG, Van Vogt-Crothers AJR, McCabe JF. Direct composite inlays versus conventional composite restorations: Five year follow-up. Journal of Dental Research 1998, 77(Special Issue B), 913-913.
• Wassell RW, Gagliano G. Effects of adhesive fixed prosthesis retainer design on resultant resin luting agent thickness. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry 1998, 80(4), 479-484.
• Lancashire RB, Wassell RW, Johnson GR. Effects of shear test configuration on stress distributions in adhesives. Journal of Dental Research 1998, 77(Special Issue B), 684 no. 417.
• Wassell RW. Plastic trays and accurate impressions. British Dental Journal 1998, 184(6), 266-266.
• Gulati AK, Walls AWG, Wassell RW. Physical properties of provisional restorative materials. Journal of Dental Research 1997, 76(5), 1077 no. 467.
• Wassell RW, McCabe JF, Walls AWG. Wear rates of regular and tempered composites. Journal of Dentistry 1997, 25(1), 49-52.
• Blair FM, Wassell RW. A survey of the methods of disinfection of dental impressions used in dental hospitals in the United Kingdom. British Dental Journal 1996, 180(10), 369-375.
• Bottani G, Wassell RW, Johnson GR, McCabe JF. Finite element model of tooth support. In: 44th Annual Meeting of the British Division of the IADR. 1996, Bristol: Journal of Dental Research: Sage.
• Seccombe GV, Wassell RW. Sublingual ulceration associated with cementation of adhesive bridges. Dental Update 1996, 23(9), 389-390.
• Nery S, McCabe JF, Wassell RW. A comparative study of 3 dental adhesives. Journal of Dentistry 1995, 23(1), 55-61.
• Wassell RW, Walls AWG, McCabe JF. Direct composite inlays versus conventional composite restorations: three-year clinical results. British Dental Journal 1995, 179(9), 343-349.
• Blair F, Whitworth J, Wassell RW. Impregnation by dentine bonding agents into instrumented root-face dentine. Journal of Dentistry 1995, 23(5), 289-294.
• Patel S, Wassell RW, Butler TJ. In vivo 3 year wear in composite inlays and conventionally placed composites. Journal of Dental Research 1995, 74(3), 841 no. 154.
• Orourke B, Walls AWG, Wassell RW. Radiographic detection of overhangs formed by resin composite luting agents. Journal of Dentistry 1995, 23(6), 353-357.
• Wassell RW, McCabe JF, Walls AWG. Temperature and pressure sensitivity from direct composite inlays. Journal of Dental Research 1995, 74(3), 841 no. 157.
• McCabe JF, Wassell RW. Thermal-expansion of composites. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine 1995, 6(11), 624-629.
• Wassell RW, McCabe JF, Walls AWG. A 2 body frictional wear test. Journal of Dental Research 1994, 73(9), 1546-1553.
• Otoh EC, McCabe JF, Wassell RW. Relation between thermal expansion coefficient and thermal history for composites. Journal of Dental Research 1994, 73(Special Issue S1), 295.
• Kilpatrick NM, Wassell RW. The use of cantilevered, adhesively retained bridges with enhanced rigidity. British Dental Journal 1994, 176(1), 13-16.
• Wassell RW, McCabe JF, Walls AWG. Wear characteristics in a two-body wear test. Dental Materials 1994, 10(4), 269-274.
• Abuasi HA, McCabe JF, Carrick TE, Wassell RW. Displacement rheometer: a method of measuring working time and setting time of elastic impression materials. Journal of Dentistry 1993, 21(6), 360-366.
• Steele JG, Wassell RW, Walls AWG. A comparative study of the fit and retention of interocclusal splints constructed from heat-cured and autopolymerized polymethylmethacrylate. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry 1992, 67(3), 328-330.
• Wassell RW, Walls AWG, McCabe JF. Cavity convergence angles for direct composite inlays. Journal of Dentistry 1992, 20(5), 294-297.
• Wassell RW, Abuasi HA. Laboratory assessment of impression accuracy by clinical simulation. Journal of Dentistry 1992, 20(2), 108-114.
• Wassell RW, McCabe JF, Walls AWG. Subsurface deformation associated with hardness measurements of composites. Dental Materials 1992, 8(4), 218-223.
• Walls AWG, Wassell RW, Steele JG. A comparison of two methods for locating the intercuspal position (ICP) whilst mounting casts on an articulator. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation 1991, 18(1), 43-48.
• Wassell RW, Ibbetson RJ. The accuracy of polyvinyl siloxane impressions made with standard and reinforced stock trays. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry 1991, 65(6), 748-757.
• Papadakou M, Barnes IE, Wassell RW, McCabe JF. Adaptation of two different calcium hydroxide bases under a composite restoration. Journal of Dentistry 1990, 18(5), 276-280.
• Woo YR, Wassell RW, Foreman PC. Evaluation of sealing properties of 70°C thermoplasticized gutta-percha used as a retrograde root filling. International Endodontic Journal 1990, 23(2), 107-112.
• Wassell RW. Do occlusal factors play a part in temporomandibular dysfunction?. Journal of Dentistry 1989. Elsevier Ltd, 17(3), 101-110.