Newcastle University

Roles and Responsibilities

Academic Lead in Restorative Dentistry

Chair of the Final BDS Examinations Committee
Teaching of dental undergraduates in all years of the BDS programme
Stage 2 Part 2 examination committee
Teaching of student dental hygienists

Honorary Consultant in Restorative Dentistry                                                                                                  The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Qualifications

1993 BDS(Ncl)
1998 FDS RCPSGlasg
2002 PhD(Ncl)
2008 FDS(Rest Dent) RCPSGlasg
2009 PGCAP(Ncl)
2009 FHEA

Memberships

International Association for Dental Research (IADR)
British Society for Dental Research (BSDR)
British Society of Periodontology (BSP)
Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons Glasgow (RCPS Glasg)
British Dental Association  (BDA)
North of England Odontological Society 
British Society for Restorative Dentistry (BSRD)
Association of Consultants and Specialists in Restorative Dentistry (ACSRD)
British Society for Teachers in Conservative Dentistry (BATCD)

Research Interests

Clinical efficacy of powered toothbrushes
Clinical trial design
Periodontal diseases
Patient compliance and behaviour change
Impact of periodontal disease on quality of life

Other Expertise

Specialist in Restorative Dentistry
Efficacy of mandibular advancement splints for snoring

Current Work

Clinical effectiveness of powered toothbrushes in controlled cohorts of subjects
Markers for clinical effectiveness with respect to plaque removal
Efficacy of mandibular advancement splints in patients who snore
Aetiology and management of gingival recession
Impact of periodontal disease upon quality of life

Future Research

Role of smoking cessation in dentistry
Routes to professional behaviour change

Postgraduate Supervision

MSc:

Aetiology & Prevelence of gingival Recession
Development of Quality of Life outcome measures in periodontal interventions

MPhil:

Comparison of a mandibular advancement splint to a mandibular bite raising appliance in the treatment of patients with severe snoring
The impact of periodontal disease upon quality of life in patients with diabetes

PhD:

The association of strategic oral health interventions with patient profiles and professionals’ behaviour

Undergraduate Teaching

Chair of the Final BDS Examinations Committee
Stage Director BDS Y5
Stage Tutor BDS Y5
Key Clinical Skills
Introduction to Dentistry
Restorative Dentistry undergraduate programme
Periodontology undergraduate programme
Dental Therapist programme

Postgraduate Teaching

MSc in Restorative Dentistry
Certificate in Implant Dentistry
Clinical Periodontics

• Heasman PA, McCracken GI. Clinical evidence for the efficacy and safety of powered toothbrushes. Advances in Dental Research 2002, 16(1), 9-15.
• McCracken GI, Steen N, Maguire J, Gibson GJ, Wilson JA, Steele JG. Re: Randomised cross-over study of oral appliances for snoring: a study-design note Response. Clinical Otolaryngology 2011, 36(1), 92-93.
• McCracken GI, Janssen J, Swan M, Steen N, de Jager M, Heasman PA. Effect of brushing force and time on plaque removal using a powered toothbrush. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2003, 30(5), 409-413.
• Heasman PA, McCracken GI, Steen N. The effect of subgingival debridement compared to supragingival prophylaxis on periodontal treatment outcomes. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2003, 29 (Supplement 3), 163-172.
• Janssen J, McCracken GI, De Jager M, Heasman PA. A robotic testing system to evaluate plaque removal of powered toothbrushes - A comparison of clinical and laboratory data. Journal of Dental Research 2002, 81(special issue 1), A357 abstract no. 2864.
• Heasman PA, Heasman L, Stacey F, McCracken GI. Local delivery of chlorhexidine gluconate (PerioChip™) in periodontal maintenance patients. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2001, 28(1), 90-95.
• McCracken GI, Stacey F, Heasman L, Heasman PA. A modified plaque index for clinical trials of powered toothbrushes. In: Symposia/Behavioural Sciences & Health Services Research. 2000, Washington, USA: Journal of Dental Research.
• Nunn JH, McCracken G, Hobson RS, Stephenson JJ, Jepson NJA. Evaluation of a computer-assisted learning package on the management of traumatised incisors by general dental practitioners. Endodontics and Dental Traumatology 2000, 16, 40-42.
• McCracken GI, Nunn JH, Hobson RS, Stephenson JJ, Jepson NJA. Evaluation of a computer-assisted learning package on the management of traumatised incisors by general dental practitioners. Dental Traumatology 2000, 16(1), 40-42.
• McCracken GI, Stacey F, Heasman L, Kelly PJ, Heasman PA. Testing a prototype brush head for a powered toothbrush unit. In: Symposia/Behavioural Sciences & Health Services Research. 2000, Washington, USA: Sage Publications.
• McCracken GI, Heasman L, Stacey F, Kelly PJ, Heasman PA. Testing the efficacy of plaque removal of a prototype brush head for a powered toothbrush. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2000, 27(8), 542-548.
• Preshaw P, De Silva N, McCracken G, Fernando D, Dalton C, Steen N, Heasman P. Compromised periodontal status in an urban Sri Lankan population with type 2 diabetes. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2010, 37(2), 165-171.
• Ewan V, Perry JD, Mawson T, McCracken G, Brown AN, Newton J, Walls A. Detecting potential respiratory pathogens in the mouths of older people in hospital. Age and Ageing 2010, 39(1), 122-125.
• O'Dowd LK, Durham J, McCracken GI, Preshaw PM. Patients' experiences of the impact of periodontal disease. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2010, 37(4), 334-339.
• Maguire J, Steele JG, Gibson GJ, Wilson JA, Steen N, McCracken GI. Randomised cross-over study of oral appliances for snoring. Clinical Otolaryngology 2010, 35(3), 204-209.
• Duckworth RM, Maguire A, Omid N, Steen IN, McCracken GI, Zohoori FV. Effect of Rinsing with Mouthwashes after Brushing with a Fluoridated Toothpaste on Salivary Fluoride Concentration. Caries Research 2009, 43(5), 391-396.
• McCracken GI, Heasman L, Stacey F, Swan M, Steen N, de Jager M, Heasman PA. The impact of powered and manual toothbrushing on incipient gingival recession. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2009, 36(11), 950-957.
• McCracken G. Positive relationship between stress and periodontal disease?. Evidence-Based Dentistry 2009. ,10 2 42.
• McCracken G. Chlorhexidine varnish may be useful adjunct to routine periodontal therapy? Commentary. Evidence-Based Dentistry 2008. ,9 3 76.
• Rajapakse PS, McCracken GI, Gwynnett E, Steen ND, Guentsch A, Heasman PA. Does tooth brushing influence the development and progression of non-inflammatory gingival recession? A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2007, 34(12), 1046-1061.
• Rudralingam M, McCracken GI, Nolan A, Heasman PA. Necrotising gingivitis as a manifestation of Richter syndrome. Perio 2007, 4(1), 37-40.
• McCracken GI, Preshaw PM, Steen IN, Swan M, De Jager M, Heasman PA. Measuring plaque in clinical trials: Index or weight?. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2006, 33(3), 172-176.
• Wilson JA, Lester SE, Gibson GJ, Anari S, Steele JG, Steen IN, McCracken GI. Silencing the snorers: No gain without pain?. Journal of Laryngology and Otology 2006, 120(7), 570-574.
• Stacey F, Heasman PA, Heasman L, Hepburn S, McCracken GI, Preshaw PM. Smoking cessation as a dental intervention - Views of the profession. British Dental Journal 2006, 201(2), 109-113.
• Heasman L, Stacey F, Preshaw PM, McCracken GI, Hepburn S, Heasman PA. The effect of smoking on periodontal treatment response: A review of clinical evidence. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2006. , 33(4), 241-253.
• McCracken G, Janssen J, Heasman L, Stacey F, Steen N, DeJager M, Heasman P. Assessing adherence with toothbrushing instructions using a data logger toothbrush. British Dental Journal 2005, 198(1), 29-32.
• McCracken GI, Steen N, Preshaw PM, Heasman L, Stacey F, Heasman PA. The crossover design to evaluate the efficacy of plaque removal in tooth-brushing studies. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2005, 32(11), 1157-1162.
• Preshaw PM, Heasman L, Stacey F, Steen N, McCracken GI, Heasman PA. The effect of quitting smoking on chronic periodontitis. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2005, 32(8), 869-879.
• McCracken GI, Heasman L, Stacey F, Steen N, DeJager M, Heasman PA. A clinical comparison of an oscillating/rotating powered toothbrush and a manual toothbrush in patients with chronic periodontitis. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2004, 31(9), 805-812.
• McCracken GI, Preshaw PM, Heasman L, Stacey F, Steen N, Heasman PA. Efficacy of plaque removal of the Sonicare Elite versus the Sonicare Advance from hard-to-reach sites. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2004,31 11 1007-1011.
• McCracken GI, Janssen J, Steen N, DeJager M, Heasman PA. A clinical evaluation of a novel data logger to determine compliance with the use of powered toothbrushes. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2002, 29(9), 838-843.
• McCracken GI, Chapple IL, Milward M, Steen N, DeJager M, Heasman PA. Efficacy of a prototype brush head for a powered toothbrush: A multicentre study. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2002,29 10 889-895.
• Heasman PA, McCracken GI, Steen N. Supportive periodontal care: The effect of periodic subgingival debridement compared with supragingival prophylaxis with respect to clinical outcomes. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2002. ,29 3 163-172.
• McCracken GI, Heasman L, Stacey F, Steen N, De Jager M, Heasman PA. Testing the efficacy of 2 prototype brush heads for a powered toothbrush: Refining the model. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2002,29 1 42-47.
• McCracken GI, Stacey F, Heasman L, Sellers P, Macgregor ID, Kelly PJ, Heasman PA. A comparative study of two powered toothbrushes and one manual toothbrush in young adults. Journal of Clinical Dentistry 2001, 12(1), 7-10.
• Heasman P.A., McCracken G.I. Powered toothbrushes: a review of clinical trials. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 1999, 26, 407-420.