Staff Profile

Introduction

I am Head of School (interim) and an academic paediatric dentist researching in the field of oral health services research, specifically health economics and practising paediatric dentistry as an honorary consultant. I am also involved in teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. 

Follow me on twitter @chrisvernazza

Roles and Responsibilities

Research:

Deputy Editor, International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry

Editorial Board Member, Journal of Dental Research

Editorial Board Member, Community Dental Health

Reviewer for multiple journals and funding panels

Previously:

• Oral and Dental Specialty Group Lead, NIHR North East and North Cumbria Clinical Research Network 
• Director of Research and Academic Training, School of Dental Sciences

Teaching:

Various lecture/seminar/practical and clinical teaching for BDS and BSc (Oral and Dental Health Sciences) UG courses

Board of examiners: BDS Stage 5 (Finals)

Member, BDS Admissions Panel

Previously:

• Course leader, BDS Paediatric Dentistry Academic Course
• Member, Curriculum Committee, MSc in Orthodontics
• Member, Dental eportfolio working group
• Member, Northern Deanery Foundation Programme/Undergraduate Interface Group                   
• Chair, Recruitment of paediatric patients for BDS and Hygiene Therapy Working Group
• Dental Students' Society Staff President

External:

Honorary Editor and Executive Board Member/Trustee British Society of Paediatric Dentistry

Member, British Society of Paediatric Dentistry Quality Improvement and Research Committee 

Trustee, Oral and Dental Research Trust

Trustee, Alliance for a Cavity Free Future

Member, Vision 2030 Implementation Group, World Dental Federation

Member, Global Advisory Board, Haleon (formerly GSK Consumer Division)

Previously:

• Co-Chair, NHS England North East and North Cumbria Paediatric Dentistry Commissioning Working Group 
• Lead, Clinical Standard Work package, NHS England Special Educational Settings Oral Health Project 
• Member, NHS England Paediatric Dentistry Commissioning Guide Working Group
• Chair & Secretary, British Society of Paediatric Dentistry Northern Branch
• Chair, British Society of Paediatric Dentistry 2012 National Conference Organising Committee
• Member, National Council, British Society of Paediatric Dentistry
• Trainees representative, Northern Deanery Paediatric Dentistry Specialty Training Committee  
• Member, Scientific Committee, International Association of Paediatric Dentistry 2015 Congress

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Dental Surgery (Sheffield, 2004)
• Member of Faculty of Dental Surgery (RCS Edinburgh, 2006)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (Newcastle, 2008)
• Fellow of Higher Education Academy (2009)
• PhD (Newcastle, 2011)
• Membership in Paediatric Dentistry (RCS England, 2014)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Health Economics (Distinction, U Aberdeen, 2017)
• Fellowship in Paediatric Dentistry (RCS Edinburgh, 2018)

Previous Positions

• Clinical Senior Lecturer/Honorary Consultant - Newcastle University 2020-23
• NIHR Clinician Scientist - Newcastle University 2015-20
• NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer - Newcastle Dental Hospital/Newcastle University 2011-2015
• Clinical Fellow in Child Dental Health - Newcastle University 2006-11
• General Professional Trainee - Newcastle Dental Hospital and Dental Practice in Gateshead 2004-6

Informal Interests

Singing with various groups including the Chorus of Royal Northern Sinfonia and Voices of Hope

Research Interests

My main interest is in applying economic techniques in oral health and the study of decision making in oral health. This involves a variety of work across a wide range of dental disciplines, although the work is concentrated around paediatric dentistry, replacements for missing teeth, root canal treatment (endodontics), periodontal treatment, orthodontics and preventive care. I have particular interests in the economics methods of willingness to pay/discrete choice experiments and economics-based priority setting tools in policy decision making (commissioning). 

This work has bridged health economics, oral health services research and policy with key links with NHS England established. I have also furthered my interest in policy by becoming a member of the Newcastle University Policy Academy. 

I also have an interest in applying qualitative methods in understanding dental decision making from both the patient and professional points of view. 

Finally, I am involved in dental epidemiology. For example, I was involved in the decennial UK Child Dental Health Survey.

Major Funding

• EU Horizon Europe, PRUDENT: Prioritisation, incentives and Resource use for sUstainable DENTistry, Co-Investigator/Work package lead E5.3m 2023-2028  
• Borrow Foundation. FLOWAVE: FLuOridated WAter: Public Values & Evaluation of Cost-Benefit, Co-Investigator £110k 2022-2023  
• National Institute of Health Research, Health Technology Assessment programme. The CALM trial: the clinical and cost-effectiveness of a guided self-help cognitive behavioural therapy intervention to reduce dental anxiety in children. Co-Investigator £1.7m 2021-2025  
• National Institute of Health Research, Doctoral Research Fellowship. Dental Care Preference Elicitation: An Application to NHS Dental Contract Reform (DEPEND). Lead PhD Supervisor £373 633  2020-2023
•  National Institute of Health Research, Doctoral Research Fellowship. DECIDE: Dental ExtraCtion versus filling of adult teeth In chilDren: A cost Effectiveness analysis. Lead PhD Supervisor £356 225  2019-2022 
• National Institute of Health Research, Clinician Scientist Fellowship. RAINDROP: Resource Allocation in NHS Dentistry: Recognition of Societal Preferences. Principal Investigator/Fellowship Holder £1.01 million 2015-2020   
• Newcastle University Tonge/Bradlaw Award DIAMOND: Determining new budget allocation formulae for NHS dentistry using national epidemiological data Principal Investigator £50,000 2019-20
• National Institute of Health Research, Health Services and Delivery Research programme. The value and cost of different forms of information on oral health status and risk given to patient. Co-Investigator £427,000 2014-7   

Research Roles

Deputy Editor, International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry

Editorial Board Member, Journal of Dental Research

Editorial Board Member, Community Dental Health

Trustee, Oral and Dental Research Trust

Reviewer for multiple journals and funding panels

Previously:

Oral and Dental Specialty Lead, North East and North Cumbria NIHR Clinical Research Network

Director of Research and Academic Training, School of Dental Sciences

Postgraduate Supervision

Current:

• PhD - Co-Supervisor (2021-2024) Identification and validation of a classification system for a malocclusion-specific preference-based measure of oral health-related quality of life. (Muath Alrashed)
• PhD - External co-supervisor (2020-2026) A multi-methods study to investigate and address the attitudes and preparedness of undergraduate dental students to manage the care of children with disabilities in independent practice (Mark Robertson, University of Dundee)
• PhD - Lead Supervisor (2020-2023) NIHR Doctoral Research Fellowship. DEPEND: Dental Care Preference Elicitation: An application to NHS Dental Contract Reform (Katherine Carr)
• PhD - Lead Supervisor (2018-2023) Cost effectiveness of alternatives for amalgam for posterior dental restorations (Ollie Bailey)
• PhD - Co-Supervisor (2018-2023) What are the desired attributes of a newly graduated dentist and do the current GDC learning outcomes reflect these? (Helen Mather)
• PhD - Lead Supervisor (2015-2024) Implementing IV conscious sedation for oral surgery in adolescents (Ashleigh Stamp)

Previously:

• PhD - Lead Supervisor (2020-2023) NIHR Doctoral Research Fellowship. DECIDE: Dental Extraction versus filling of adult teeth in children: a cost effectiveness analysis (Greig Taylor)
• PhD (2012-2017) Economic issues in the provision of interventions seeking to reduce the incidence of caries in the pre-school Chilean population (Raul Palacio)
• MPhil (2013-2017) The impact of oral health risk indicators on prevention uptake (Samridh Sharma)
• Orthodontic MScs (2013-2019) Willingness to Pay for orthodontic treatment (10 students)
• Orthodontic MSc: What is the psychosocial impact of dental and orthodontic treatment in patients with cleft lip and palate? (Systematic Review)
• Conscious Sedation in Dentistry MSc:  What are dental non-attenders' preferences for anxiety management techniques?
• Masters in Global Public Health: Exploring the perceptions of possible stress management interventions among fifth year BDS students at Newcastle University, United Kingdom.

Commercial Relevance

Economic evaluations are becoming increasingly important for both public and private providers and commissioners of dental care. Additionally, we have worked with developers of new dental technologies in carrying out economic evaluations of emerging treatments. 

Undergraduate Teaching

I am involved with clinical, small group and lecture based teaching as well as assessment and examination in the following areas:

• BDS/BSc, Key Clinical Skills - Year 2
• BDS/BSc, Paediatric Dentistry - Years 2-5
• BDS/BSc, Dental Public Health - Years 2-5

In addition, I am personal tutor to several dental students.

Previously I have been course lead for the academic elements of Paediatric Dentistry on the Bachelor of Dental Surgery and the BSc in Oral and Dental Health Sciences (dental hygiene/therapy) and External Examiner for BDS Finals at University of Birmingham

Postgraduate Teaching

Teacher on Orthodontics MSc (Research methods)

Teaching of recently graduated dentists and NHS paediatric dentistry trainees in preparation for Royal College examinations. 

• Articles

  • Marshman Z, Rodd H, Fairhurst C, Porritt J, Dawett B, Day P, Innes N, Vernazza C, Newton T, Ronaldson S, Cross L, Ross J, Baker SR, Hewitt C, Torgerson D, Ainsworth H. The CALM trial protocol: a randomised controlled trial of a guided self-help cognitive behavioural therapy intervention to reduce dental anxiety in children. Trials 2023, 24, 15.
  • Vernazza CR, Carr K, Holmes RD, Wildman J, Gray J, Exley C, Smith RA, Donaldson C. Resource Allocation in a National Dental Service Using Program Budgeting Marginal Analysis. JDR Clinical and Translational Research 2023, 8(1), 56-65.
  • Nguyen TM, Rogers H, Taylor GD, Tonmukayakul U, Lin C, Hall M, Calache H, Vernazza C. Fit for Purpose? The Suitability of Oral Health Outcome Measures to Inform Policy. JDR Clinical & Translational Research 2023.
  • Atkinson JA, Jackson JM, Lowery G, Taylor GD, Rogers HJ, Vernazza CR. Community water fluoridation and the benefits for children. Dental Update 2023, 50(7), 565-569.
  • Sasha Brannen S, Rolland S, Cala A, Vernazza CR, Paul N. Characteristics of orthognathic multidisciplinary team clinics in England. Part 1: A questionnaire surveyJournal of Orthodontics. Journal of Orthodontics 2023.
  • Edwards K, Rae J, Rolland S, Vernazza CR. The value of adult orthodontics: Do the public's willingness-to-pay values reflect the profession's?. Journal of Orthodontics 2022, 49(2), 113-121.
  • Bailey O, Stone S, Ternent L, Vernazza CR. Public valuation of direct restorations: a discrete choice experiment. Journal of Dental Research 2022, 101(13), 1572-1579.
  • Simpson S, Wallace CK, Vernazza CR. Paediatric dentistry provision in the North East of England: workforce confidence and attitudes. British Dental Journal 2022, Epub ahead of print.
  • Mather H, Bateman H, Taylor J, VC Vernazza, Rothwell C, McCracken G, Ellis J. From Inputs to Outputs: an analysis of the changes to learning outcomes for dental undergraduate education in the UK. British Dental Journal 2022, 232, 101-107.
  • Herdman M, Johnson I, Mason S, Vernazza CR, Varghese R. Development of a United Kingdom–centric cost-effectiveness model for denture cleaning strategies. Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry 2022, 127(2), 266.e1-266.e7.
  • Bailey O, Vernazza C, Stone S, Ternent L, Roche A-G, Lynch C. Amalgam Phase-Down Part 2: UK-Based Knowledge, Opinions, and Confidence in the Alternatives. JDR Clinical & Translational Research 2022, 7(1), 50-60.
  • Bailey O, Vernazza CR, Stone S, Ternent L, Roche A-G, Lynch C. Amalgam Phase-Down Part 1: UK-Based Posterior Restorative Material and Technique Use. JDR Clinical & Translational Research 2022, 7(1), 41-49.
  • Vernazza CR, Birch S, Pitts NB. Reorienting Oral Health Services to Prevention: Economic Perspectives. Journal of Dental Research 2021, 100(6), 576-582.
  • Fenton GD, Cazaly MHM, Rolland SL, Vernazza CR. Eliciting preferences for adult orthodontic treatment: a discrete choice experiment. JDR Clinical and Translational Research 2021, 7(2), 118-126.
  • O'Donnell R, Landes D, Freeman Z, Vernazza CR. Dental public health in action: The covid-19 restrictions on dentistry in England and their impact on access to dental care for high risk patient groups in the North East and North Cumbria. Community Dental Health 2021, 39(1), 4-7.
  • Vernazza CR, Pitts NB, Mayne C, Mazevet ME. Dental Policy Lab 1 - towards a cavity-free future. British Dental Journal 2021, 231(12), 754-758.
  • Carr KC, Donaldson C, Wildman J, Smith RA, Vernazza CR. An examination of consistency in the incremental approach to willingness to pay: evidence using societal values for NHS dental services. Medical Decision Making 2021, 41(4), 465-474.
  • Taylor GD, Carr K, Rogers HJ, Vernazza CR. A systematic review of the quality and scope of decision modelling studies in child oral health research. BMC Oral Health 2021, 21, 318.
  • Taylor GD, Vernazza CR, Abdulmohsen B. Success of endodontic management of compromised first permanent molars in children: a systematic review. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2020, 30(3), 370-380.
  • Harris R, Vernazza C, Laverty L, Lowers V, Burnside G, Brown S, Higham S, Ternent L. Presenting patients with information on their oral health risk: the PREFER three-arm RCT and ethnography. Health Services and Delivery Research 2020, 8(3), 1-125.
  • Pickering K, Bissett SM, Holliday R, Vernazza C, Preshaw PM. Exploring the use of mouth guards in Muay Thai: a questionnaire survey. BDJ Open 2020, 6, 20.
  • Rogers HJ, Freitas RD, Beeson MJ, Vernazza CR. Economic evaluations in paediatric dentistry clinical trials. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2020, 31(S1), 56-65.
  • Cook C, Finch T, Sharma S, Girling M, Rapley T, Vernazza CR. Developing oral health risk assessment as routine practice during early stages of clinical careers: a cross-sectional study of dental students using the NoMAD questionnaire. European Journal of Dental Education 2020, 24(1), 169-176.
  • Harris R, Lowers V, Laverty L, Vernazza C, Burnside G, Brown S, Ternent L. Comparing how patients value and respond to information on risk given in three different forms during dental check-ups: The PREFER randomised controlled trial. Trials 2020, 21, 21.
  • Walshaw EG, Adam NI, Palmeiro ML, Neves M, Vernazza CR. Patients’ and Parents’ Valuation of Fluoride Varnish in the UK and Brazil. Oral Health and Preventive Dentistry 2019, 17(3), 211-218.
  • Parten NJ, Taylor GD, Currie CC, Durham J, Vernazza CR. Medical Emergency Department attendance of under-16-year-olds with dental problems. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation 2019, 46(5), 433-440.
  • Taylor GD, Pearce K, Vernazza CR. Management of compromised first permanent molars in children: Cross-Sectional analysis of attitudes of UK general dental practitioners and specialists in paediatric dentistry. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2019, 29(3), 267-280.
  • Vernazza CR, Taylor GD, Donaldson C, Gray J, Holmes RD, Carr K, Exley C. How does priority setting for resource allocation happen in commissioning dental services in a nationally-led, regionally-delivered system? A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with NHS England dental commissioner. BMJ Open 2019, 9, e024995.
  • Palacio R, Shen J, Vale L, Vernazza C. Assessing the cost-effectiveness of a fluoride varnish programme in Chile: the use of a decision analytic model in dentistry. Community Dentistry Oral Epidemiology 2019, 47(3), 217-224.
  • Holmes RD, Steele JG, Exley C, Vernazza CR, Donaldson C. Use of programme budgeting and marginal analysis to set priorities for local NHS dental services: learning from the north east of England. Journal of Public Health 2018, 40(4), e578-e585.
  • Vernazza CR, Anderson L, Hunter AI, Leck HC, OConnor SD, Smith GR, Stokes RJ, Rolland SL. The Value of Orthodontics: Do Parents’ Willingness-to-Pay Values Reflect the IOTN?. Journal of Dental Research Clinical & Translational Research 2018, 3(2), 141-149.
  • Vernazza CR, Carr K, Wildman J, Gray J, Holmes RD, Exley C, Smith RA, Donaldson C. Resource allocation in NHS dentistry: Recognition of societal preferences (RAINDROP): Study protocol. BMC Health Services Research 2018, 18(1), 487.
  • Harris R, Vernazza CR, Laverty L, Lowers V, Brown S, Burnside G, Ternent L, Higham S, Steele J. Presenting information on dental risk: PREFER study protocol for a randomised controlled trial involving patients receiving a dental check-up. Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications 2018, 11, 1-9.
  • Finch TL, Girling M, May CR, Mair FS, Murray E, Treweek S, McColl E, Steen IN, Cook C, Vernazza CR, Mackintosh N, Sharma S, Barbery G, Steele J, Rapley T. Improving the normalization of complex interventions: part 2 - validation of the NoMAD instrument for assessing implementation work based on normalization process theory (NPT). BMC Medical Research Methodology 2018, 18(135), 1-13.
  • Rapley T, Girling M, Mair FS, Murray E, Treweek S, McColl E, Steen IN, May CR, Finch TL. Improving the normalization of complex interventions: Part 1 - Development of the NoMAD instrument for assessing implementation work based on normalization process theory (NPT) 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences 1701 Psychology. BMC Medical Research Methodology 2018, 18(1), 133.
  • McCracken GI, Asuni A, Ritchie M, Vernazza CR, Heasman PA. Failing to meet the goals of periodontal recall programs. What next?. Periodontology 2000 2017, 75(1), 330-352.
  • Tan SHX, Vernazza CR, Nair R. Critical Review of Willingness to Pay for Clinical Oral Health Interventions. Journal of Dentistry 2017, 64, 1-12.
  • Stamp AJ, Dorman ML, Vernazza CR, Deeming G, Reid C, Wilson KE, Girdler NM. Can intravenous conscious sedation with midazolam be effective at facilitating surgical dentistry in adolescent orthodontic patients? A service evaluation. British Dental Journal 2017, 222(2), 113-119.
  • Rolland SL, Treasure E, Burden DJ, Fuller E, Vernazza CR. The orthodontic condition of children in England, Wales and Northern Ireland 2013. British Dental Journal 2016, 221(7), 415-419.
  • Vernazza CR, Rolland SL, Chadwick B, Pitts N. Caries experience, the caries burden and associated factors in children in England, Wales and Northern Ireland 2013. British Dental Journal 2016, 221(6), 315-320.
  • Harding A, Vernazza CR, Wilson K, Harding J, Girdler NM. What are dental non-attenders’ preferences for anxiety management techniques? A cross-sectional study based at a dental access centre. British Dental Journal 2015, 218(7), 415-421.
  • Vernazza CR, Rousseau N, Steele JG, Ellis JS, Thomason JM, Eastham J, Exley C. Introducing high-cost health care to patients: dentists' accounts of offering dental implant treatment. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology 2015, 43(1), 75-85.
  • Vernazza CR, Wildman JR, Steele JG, Whitworth JM, Walls AWG, Perry R, Matthews R, Hahn P, Donaldson C. Factors affecting patient valuations of caries prevention: using and validating the willingness to pay method. Journal of Dentistry 2015, 43(8), 981-988.
  • Vernazza CR, Steele JG, Whitworth JM, Wildman JR, Donaldson C. Factors affecting direction and strength of patient preferences for treatment of molar teeth with non-vital pulps. International Endodontic Journal 2015, 48(12), 1137-1146.
  • Field J, Vernazza C. Developing a grading matrix for reflection. Medical Education 2013, 47(5), 531.
  • Vernazza C, Heasman P, Gaunt F, Pennington M. How to measure the cost-effectiveness of periodontal treatments. Periodontology 2000 2012, 60(1), 138-146.
  • Pennington M, Heasman PA, Gaunt F, Güntsch A, Ivanovski S, Imazato S, Rajapakse S, Allen E, Flemmig T, Sanz M, Vernazza CR. The cost-effectiveness of supportive periodontal care: a global perspective. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2011, 38(6), 553.
  • Vernazza C, Durham J, Ellis J, Teasdale D, Cotterill S, Scott L, Thomason M, Drummond P, Moss J. Introduction of an e-portfolio in clinical dentistry: Staff and student views. European Journal of Dental Education 2011, 15(1), 36-41.
  • Cotterill S, Horner P, Teasdale D, Ellis J, Thomason JM, Vernazza C, Bradley PM, Peterson J, Skelly G, Ball S. Effective embedding and integration of ePortfolios in medical and dental curricula. International Journal of Clinical Skills 2011, 5, 18-23.
  • Heasman P, Vernazza C, Gaunt F, Pennington M. Cost-effectiveness of adjunctive antimicrobials in the treatment of periodontitis. Periodontology 2000 2011, 55(1), 217-230.
  • Pennington MW, Vernazza CR, Shackley P, Armstrong NT, Whitworth JM, Steele JG. Evaluation of the cost-effectiveness of root canal treatment using conventional approaches versus replacement with an implant. International Endodontic Journal 2009, 42(10), 874-883.
  • Vernazza CR, Mayanja BN, Mugisha JO, Van der Paal L, Young CJ, Robinson PG. The value of training doctors in the diagnosis of oral manifestations of HIV. Journal of Disability and Oral Health 2007, 8(2), 81-85.

• Editorials

  • Vernazza CR. Reflections on the 30th anniversary of the International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 2021, 31(5), 555-556.
  • Vasantavada PV, Hearnshaw S, Do L, Vernazza CR, Zohoori F. Community water fluoridation. Community Dental Health 2021, 38(3), 158-160.
  • Pennington MW, Vernazza CR, Heasman PA. Making the leap from cost analysis to cost-effectiveness: Guest editorial. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2009, 36(8), 667-668.

• Note

  • Vernazza CR. Expert commentary: Christopher R. Vernazza. British dental journal 2022, 233(1), 38-38.

• Reports

  • Porter J, Holmes R, Vernazza C, Chadwick B, Ryan R, Dennes M. Children’s Dental Health Survey 2013. Country specific report: Wales. Health and Social Care Information Centre, 2015.
  • Holmes R, Porter J, Vernazza C, Tsakos G, Ryan R, Dennes M. Children’s Dental Health Survey 2013. Country specific report: England. Health and Social Care Information Centre, 2015.

• Reviews

  • Stamp AJ, Rolland SL, Wilson KE, Vernazza CR. Conscious sedation in children: the need to strengthen the evidence base remains. Evidence-Based Dentistry 2019, 20(2), 62-63.
  • Murray JJ, Vernazza CR, Holmes RD. Forty Years of National Surveys: An overview of children's dental health from 1973-2013. British Dental Journal 2015, 219(6), 281-285.
  • Gaunt F, Devine M, Pennington MW, Vernazza CR, Gwynett E, Steen N, Heasman PA. The cost-effectiveness of supportive periodontal care for patients with chronic periodontitis. Journal of Clinical Periodontology 2008, 35(s8), 67-82.