Dental and oral maxillofacial surgery projects

Supervisor: Associate Professor Geoff Quail
Location: Monash Medical Centre, Clayton
Ph: 9594 5493
Email: geoffrey.quail@monash.edu

Description:

Dental and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit provides a 24-hour service to Southern Health including inpatient and outpatient services and receiving specialist referrals from the primary dental care clinics. It is staffed by specialist consultants, a full-time hospital dental officer and a maxillofacial surgery registrar.

1. Surgical & dental implications of Thalassaemia A Major
   Southern Health has the largest cohort of thalassaemia patients in Australia.
   
   This study will examine
   The prevalence of blood bone and viral infections in patients requiring repeated blood transfusions since infancy.
   Jaw bone density in these patients compared with matched controls.
   Effect of the condition on dental eruption and cranio-facial skeletal morphology.
   
   
2. Sleep Apnoea therapy
   A mandibular advancement splint is an effective non-invasive technique for treating this troublesome condition. This study will assess subjective changes in day time somnolence and alertness and document changes in oxygen saturation through the use of the appliance.
   
   
3. Cleft palate condition
   Southern Health has one of the largest multidiscipline and busiest cleft lip and palate clinics in Australia. This study will evaluate the nature of congenital defects referred for assessment and management and the stability of palatal expansion prior to alveolar bone grafting, the integrity of the alveolar graft, the effectiveness of pharyngoplasty and patient and parent appreciation of the condition and compliance with treatment.
   
   
4. The incidence of cleft lip and palate related to soil contaminants in a Third World Country.