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Oral health research funding in relation to disease burden in Australia
A Ghanbarzadegan1,2,3, S Ivanovski4, A J Sloan5
1Sydney Dental School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Background:
This study aims to investigate and compare the major Australian government research funding schemes for oral health science with other disciplines from the burden of disease perspective.
Methods:
Major government research funding scheme outcomes were identified. An innovative index of Fair Research Funding (FRF) was developed to examine the extent to which National Health and Medical Research Council funding is aligned with the disease burden. In addition to comparing different diseases, overall governmental research funding for different areas of oral health sciences was explored.
Results:
Oral disorders with $15 million NHMRC grant funds (2017-2021) and FRF of 10.7 has the lowest and most inequitable amount of Australian government support in relation to disease burden. The share of oral health science in the Australian Research Council and Medical Research Future Fund was very minimal, with $3.43 and $1.88 million respectively.
Conclusion:
Governmental research funding for oral health sciences is inequitable according to the disease burden. More dedicated oral health sciences research funding schemes are essential. Funding for prevention-focused public oral health programmes is a vital requirement towards reducing the inequalities in population oral health.
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