Improving oral health through research, collaboration and real-world impact
Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise (PDSE) is committed to generating and applying evidence that improves oral health, enhances dental education and reduces health inequalities.
As a research-active social enterprise and the clinical partner of Peninsula Dental School, we undertake our own programme of applied research while working collaboratively with the University of Plymouth, NHS organisations, industry partners and community organisations. This integrated approach enables us to translate research into practice and ensure that innovation delivers tangible benefits for patients, students and communities.
Our research is informed by the challenges faced in everyday clinical practice and focuses on developing solutions that are equitable, sustainable and socially accountable.
Our approach
PDSE is a research-active social enterprise that conducts, supports and enables research to improve oral health, dental education and patient care.
Working in partnership with the University of Plymouth, NHS organisations, industry, charities and community groups, we create opportunities for research that is embedded in real-world clinical settings and responsive to population need.
How PDSE supports research
PDSE contributes to research in three complementary ways:
Conducting and funding applied research:
We design, lead and support research projects that address priorities in oral health, dental education and service innovation. This includes both internally developed PDSE-led projects and jointly delivered or externally funded studies.
Hosting clinical and health service research:
PDSE provides a real-world primary care environment for the delivery of research studies. We act as a research site for both internally and externally funded projects, including those supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), academic institutions, and industry partners. This enables studies to be embedded directly within routine clinical care.
Providing access to clinical data and research infrastructure:
PDSE supports high-quality research by providing access to diverse patient populations, clinical data (subject to appropriate governance and approvals), modern facilities and experienced clinical teams. We also enable participatory and clinic-based research that brings together patients, communities and professionals to co-design and evaluate new approaches to care.
Research Themes
Community Oral Health
PDSE conducts and supports research that improves oral health and reduces inequalities by developing evidence-based approaches to prevention, access and service delivery. Working with communities and partner organisations, our research focuses on ensuring oral healthcare is inclusive, accessible and responsive to local needs.
We collaborate with researchers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, community organisations and people with lived experience to co-design and evaluate innovative models of care that address real-world challenges and inform future services.
Selected areas of research:
- Integrated dental services for people with complex needs
- Oral healthcare for autistic children and young people
- Oral health during pregnancy
- Evaluation of the social enterprise model and its impact on communities
Related site: Southwest Inclusion Oral Health Research Group – University of Plymouth
Explore community oral health research projects delivered at PDSE below.
Dental Education
PDSE provides a unique environment where education, clinical practice and research are closely integrated. Our educational research explores innovative approaches to teaching and learning that prepare future dental professionals to deliver person-centred, socially accountable care.
Working alongside the University of Plymouth, students, educators and community partners, we evaluate educational initiatives that promote community engagement, interprofessional learning and a deeper understanding of oral health inequalities.
Selected areas of research:
- Community-engaged dental education
- Social accountability
- Interprofessional education
- Student experience and professional development
- Educational innovation and evaluation
Explore dental education research projects delivered at PDSE below.
Clinical Studies and Trials
PDSE conducts and supports clinical research within a modern primary care environment, generating evidence that improves patient care and supports innovation in dentistry. Our research ranges from prevention and diagnostics to the evaluation of new technologies, materials and models of care.
Working independently and in partnership with the University of Plymouth, NHS organisations, industry and national research networks, we provide the clinical infrastructure, patient populations and research expertise needed to deliver high-quality studies in a real-world setting.
Selected areas of research:
- Preventive interventions
- Oral microbiome and translational research
- Medical screening within dental settings
- Clinical evaluation of dental materials and technologies
- Industry-sponsored and investigator-led clinical trials
Related site: Oral Microbiome Research Group – University of Plymouth
Explore clinical studies and trials delivered at PDSE below.
Research in Action
Why Partner with PDSE?
PDSE offers a distinctive environment for applied research and clinical studies, combining a socially accountable model of care with modern clinical facilities and strong academic partnerships.
We provide:
- Access to approximately 6,000 active patients receiving treatment
- Diverse patient populations representative of primary care dentistry
- Modern digital clinical facilities and dedicated research spaces
- Experienced clinical, academic and research support teams
- Dedicated research dental nurses and study support
- Robust governance and quality assurance processes
- Flexible collaboration with academic, NHS, industry and community partners
Our model enables research to be embedded within routine clinical practice, creating opportunities to evaluate interventions in real-world settings while delivering meaningful benefits for patients, communities and the wider healthcare system.
Research Impact
Our research extends beyond publications. It informs clinical practice, shapes educational programmes, supports service development and contributes to policy, innovation and improved oral health outcomes.
Whether leading our own studies or contributing to collaborative research programmes, PDSE is committed to producing evidence that strengthens the dental workforce, improves patient care and reduces oral health inequalities.
Collaborate with PDSE
We welcome opportunities to work with:
- Academic researchers
- NHS organisations
- Industry partners
- National research networks
- Charities and third-sector organisations
- Public health teams
- Community groups
Whether you are interested in clinical studies, service evaluation, educational research, community-based research or knowledge exchange, PDSE offers an experienced, collaborative and socially accountable environment in which to develop and deliver research with real-world impact. You can contact our team at: pdse-research@plymouth.ac.uk
Interested in participating in a study at PDSE?
If you are registered with us as a patient and are interested in participating in one of our studies, please contact us at: pdse-research@plymouth.ac.uk
