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Chaminda is a clinician with experience as both a dental surgeon and health manager. His current research is dedicated to addressing significant oral health disparities in Australia, particularly within regional settings where untreated dental disease is a pressing health system challenge. Despite global efforts to enhance healthcare inclusivity and uphold the right to health, socioeconomic inequalities continue to exacerbate these disparities. In regional areas, higher rates of oral diseases and limited access to routine dental care are common, compounded by an uneven distribution of dental practitioners, high costs, and restricted availability of public services.
Chaminda’s PhD research focuses on identifying and addressing workforce gaps to improve oral healthcare access in regional Queensland, with a specific emphasis on West Moreton Hospital and Health Services (WMHHS). This project aims to develop an evidence-based roadmap for enhancing public oral healthcare for adults in these underserved areas. By systematically examining context specific barriers and utilising a theory-informed approach, this research project seeks to offer actionable workforce strategies for healthcare decision makers. The outcomes are anticipated to not only advance oral health outcomes in regional Queensland but also provide a model for addressing similar healthcare challenges in comparable contexts across Australia.
Centre supervisor: Associate Professor Christina Malatzky