Professor Nicola Innes
PhD, BDS, BSc, BMSc, MFDS (RCS Eng), MFGDP (RCS Eng), FFD (RCSI)

: Available for postgraduate supervision

Teams and roles for Nicola Innes

Interim Pro-vice Chancellor, Education and Student Experience; Head of School of Dentistry
School of Dentistry

Nicola's unusual career journey has blended healthcare, academic and groundbreaking research. Starting out as a Registered General Nurse, she went on to earn honours degrees in Life Sciences, Cellular and Molecular Pathology and finally Dentistry. After 7 years as a General Dentist in Carnoustie, Scotland, Nicola shifted gears, completing a PhD focussed on managing children's tooth decay without the need for needles and drills. This clinical trial of sealing tooth decay in, rather than drilling it out, has been pivotal in changing the way dental care is approached.

Now leading the Improving Dentistry Research Group at Cardiff University, Nicola is an internationally recognised researcher with over £8M of grant funding and 150+ peer reviewed publications, her work seeks to improve dental care but also oral and dental health for all, particularly children, underserved populations, and marginalised communities. She also explores the role of digital dentistry and implementation science to better translate research into practice.

Nicola's enthusiasm for innovation in dentistry has seen her undertake a number of clinical trials, notably 3 major UK-wide NIHR-funded trials: the FiCTION Trial, which explored new ways to treat children's tooth decay; the BRIGHT Trial, investigating whether school lessons and texts improve toothbrushing habits in young people; and the CALM Trial, testing cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) to ease anxiety in children. Her work extends globally to clinical trials in countries such as Germany, US, Australia, Latvia and Brazil. Nicola's research has influenced dental guidelines nationally and internationally and she has chaired guildeline development groups, notably the globally used SDCEP guideline.

As the Oral and Dental Specialty Lead for Wales, Nicola champions clinical research in dentistry. Recently she received the prestigious Health and Care Research Wales Senior Research Leaders Award and their Impact Award for the BRIGHT Trial.

http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9984-0012

https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nicola_Innes

Date
Type

2025

Akyildiz, B. M., Al-Yaseen, W., Innes, N., Zhurov, A., Tas, A. and Sonmez, I. 2025. Longitudinal observational digital analysis of occlusion in Hall Technique. Journal of Dentistry 153, article number: 105547. (10.1016/j.jdent.2024.105547)
Taylor, G. D., Exley, C., Innes, N. and Vernazza, C. R. 2025. Young people's and adults' views and experiences of decision‐making to manage compromised first permanent molars: a qualitative study. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 35(1), pp. 165-175. (10.1111/ipd.13217)
Taylor, G., Boyers, D., Exley, C., Innes, N., Vale, L. and Vernazza, C. 2025. Public valuations of managing compromised molars: A discrete choice experiment. Journal of Dental Research 104(1), pp. 22-28. (10.1177/00220345241285154)

2019

Schwendicke, F. and Innes, N. 2019. Deep carious lesions and the dental pulp. In: Neuhaus, K. W. and Lussi, A. eds. Management of Dental Emergencies in Children and Adolescents. Wiley, pp. 65-78.
Robertson, M. D., Schwendicke, F., de Araujo, M. P., Radford, J. R., Harris, J. C., McGregor, S. and Innes, N. P. T. 2019. Dental caries experience, care index and restorative index in children with learning disabilities and children without learning disabilities; a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Oral Health 19(146) (10.1186/s12903-019-0795-4)
Seifo, N., Cassie, H., Radford, J. R. and Innes, N. P. T. 2019. Silver diamine fluoride for managing carious lesions: an umbrella review. BMC Oral Health 19(1), article number: 145. (10.1186/s12903-019-0830-5)
Innes, N. and Fee, P. A. 2019. Is personal oral hygiene advice effective in preventing coronal dental caries?. Evidence-Based Dentistry 20(2), pp. 52-53. (10.1038/s41432-019-0028-3)
Robertson, M. D., Araujo, M. P. and Innes, N. 2019. Resin infiltration may reduce proximal carious lesion progression in permanent teeth with ongoing uncertainty for primary teeth. Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice 19(2), pp. 177-179. (10.1016/j.jebdp.2019.05.001)
Robertson, M., Araujo, M. and Innes, N. 2019. Anxiety and fear management in paediatric dentistry using distraction techniques. Evidence-Based Dentistry 20(2), pp. 50-51. (10.1038/s41432-019-0020-y)
Innes, N. et al. 2019. A century of change towards prevention and minimal intervention in cariology. Journal of Dental Research 98(6), pp. 611-617. (10.1177/0022034519837252)
Sabbagh, H. J., Innes, N. P. and Ahmed, S. E. 2019. Molecular screening of VAX1 gene polymorphisms uncovered the genetic heterogeneity of non-syndromic orofacial cleft in Saudi Arabian patients. Genetic Testing and Molecular Biomarkers 23(1), pp. 45-50. (10.1089/gtmb.2018.0207)
Schwendicke, F., Krois, J., Robertson, M., Splieth, C., Santamaria, R. and Innes, N. 2019. Cost-effectiveness of the Hall Technique in a randomized trial. Journal of Dental Research 98(1), pp. 61-67. (10.1177/0022034518799742)
Santamaría, R. M., Splieth, C. H. and Innes, N. Leal, S. C. and Takeshita, E. M. eds. 2019. The Hall Technique. Springer. (10.1007/978-3-319-93426-6_13)

2018

Schwendicke, F., Krois, J., Splieth, C. H., Innes, N., Robertson, M., Schmoeckel, J. and Santamaria, R. M. 2018. Cost-effectiveness of managing cavitated primary molar caries lesions: A randomized trial in Germany. Journal of Dentistry 78, pp. 40-45. (10.1016/j.jdent.2018.05.022)
Jayaraman, J., Nagendrababu, V., Pulikkotil, S. J. and Innes, N. P. 2018. Critical appraisal of methodological quality of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis in Paediatric Dentistry journals. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 28(6), pp. 548--560. (10.1111/ipd.12414)
McFadden, A. et al. 2018. Enhancing Gypsy, Roma and Traveller peoples’ trust: using maternity and early years’ health services and dental health services as exemplars of mainstream service provision. Dundee: University of Dundee. Available at: https://doi.org/10.20933/100001117
Seifo, N., Al-Yaseen, W. and Innes, N. 2018. The efficacy of silver diamine fluoride in arresting caries in children. Evidence-Based Dentistry 19(2), pp. 42--43. (10.1038/sj.ebd.6401301)
Schwendicke, F. et al. 2018. Interventions for treating cavitated or dentine carious lesions. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2018(6) (10.1002/14651858.CD013039)
Innes, N., Robertson, M. and Schwendicke, F. 2018. Caries Excavation. Monographs in Oral Science 27, pp. 167--171. (10.1159/000487844)
Marianne, D., Pillon, L., Kwon, O. and Innes, N. 2018. Chlorhexidine gel to prevent alveolar osteitis following mandibular third molar extractions. Evidence-Based Dentistry 19(1), pp. 16-17. (10.1038/sj.ebd.6401288)
Wright, C., Mistray, V., Smyth, J., Saik, W. N., Innes, N. and Lamont, T. 2018. The use of chlorhexidine in the prevention of alveolar osteitis after third molar extractions. Evidence-Based Dentistry 19(1), pp. 18--19. (10.1038/sj.ebd.6401289)
McFadden, A. et al. 2018. Gypsy, Roma and Traveller access to and engagement with health services. European Journal of Public Health 28(1), pp. 74-81. (10.1093/eurpub/ckx226)
Innes, N. P. T. and Robertson, M. D. 2018. Recent advances in the management of childhood dental caries. Archives of Disease in Childhood 103(4), pp. 311-315. (10.1136/archdischild-2017-313196)
Innes, N. 2018. Cariology Clinical Trials: what are we—and what should we be—looking at?. Advances in Dental Research: an E-Supplement to Journal of Dental Research 29(1), pp. 4-8. (10.1177/0022034517735296)
Schwendicke, F. and Innes, N. 2018. Removal strategies for carious tissues in deep lesions. In: Schwendicke, F. ed. Management of Deep Carious Lesions. Cham: Springer, pp. 15-35., (10.1007/978-3-319-61370-3_2)
Dey, D. et al. 2018. Co-design of BRIGHT Trial: Brushing RemInder 4 Good oral HealTh intervention. Presented at: Scottish Education Research Association Annual Conference 2018 (SERA 2018), Glasgow, Scotland, 21-23 November 2018.
Fontana, M. and Innes, N. 2018. Sealing carious tissue using resin and glass-ionomer cements. In: Schwendicke, F., Frencken, J. and Innes, N. eds. Caries Excavation: Evolution of Treating Cavitated Carious Lesions., Vol. 27. Monographs in Oral Science Karger, pp. 103-112., (10.1159/000487837)
Innes, N. 2018. Management of deep carious lesions through sealing in primary teeth. In: Schwendicke, F. ed. Management of Deep Carious Lesions. Springer, pp. 113-130.
Ricketts, D., Innes, N. and Schwendicke, F. 2018. Selective removal of carious tissue. In: Schwendicke, F., Frencken, J. and Innes, N. eds. Caries Excavation: Evolution of Treating Cavitated Carious Lesions. Monographs in Oral Science Basel: Karger, pp. 82-91., (10.1159/000487838)
Santamaria, R. M. and Innes, N. 2018. Sealing carious tissue in primary teeth using crowns. In: Schwendicke, F., Frencken, J. and Innes, N. eds. Caries Excavation: Evolution of Treating Cavitated Carious Lesions., Vol. 27. Monographs in Oral Science Basel: Karger, pp. 113-123., (10.1159/000487835)
Schwendicke, F., Frencken, J. and Innes, N. eds. 2018. Caries excavation: Evolution of treating cavitated carious lesions. Monographs in Oral Science. Basel: Karger. (10.1159/isbn.978-3-318-06369-1)
Schwendicke, F., Frencken, J. and Innes, N. 2018. Clinical recommendations on carious tissue removal in cavitated lesions. In: Schwendicke, F., Frencken, J. and Innes, N. eds. Caries Excavation: Evolution of Treating Cavitated Carious Lesions., Vol. 27. Monographs in Oral Science Basel: Karger, pp. 162166., (10.1159/000487843)
Schwendicke, F., Lamont, T. and Innes, N. 2018. Removing or controlling? How caries management impacts on the lifetime of teeth. In: Schwendicke, F., Frencken, J. and Innes, N. eds. Caries Excavation: Evolution of Treating Cavitated Carious Lesions., Vol. 27. Monographs in Oral Science Basel: Karger, pp. 32-41., (10.1159/000487829)

2017

Santamaría, R. M., Innes, N., Machiulskiene, V., Schmoeckel, J., Alkilzy, M. and Splieth, C. H. 2017. Alternative caries management options for primary molars: 2.5-year outcomes of a randomised clinical trial. Caries Research 51(6), pp. 605-614. (10.1159/000477855)
Levy, C., Innes, N., Schwendicke, F., Lamont, T. and Göstemeyer, G. 2017. Outcomes in randomised controlled trials in prevention and management of carious lesions. Trials 18, article number: 515. (10.1186/s13063-017-2256-1)
Gupta, E., Innes, N., Schuller, A. A., Vermaire, J. and Marshman, Z. 2017. A scoping review of the uses of the care index in children. Community Dental Health 34(3), pp. 131-136. (10.1922/CDH_4063Gupta06)
Schwendicke, F., Innes, N., Levey, C. and Lamont, T. 2017. Comparator choice in cariology trials limits conclusions on the comparative effectiveness of caries interventions. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology 89, pp. 209-217. (10.1016/j.jclinepi.2017.05.019)
Cavalcanti da Costa, A., Soares Rodrigues, F., Prosini da Fonte, P., Rosenblatt, A., Innes, N. P. T. and Vilela Heimer, M. 2017. Influence of sense of coherence on adolescents' self-perceived dental aesthetics. BMC Oral Health 17, article number: 117. (10.1186/s12903-017-0405-2)
Banerjee, A., Frencken, J. E., Schwendicke, F. and Innes, N. P. T. 2017. Contemporary operative caries management: consensus recommendations on minimally invasive caries removal. British Dental Journal 223(3), pp. 215--222. (10.1038/sj.bdj.2017.672)
Innes, N. and Manton, D. 2017. Minimum intervention children's dentistry - the starting point for a lifetime of oral health. British Dental Journal 223(3), pp. 205-213. (10.1038/sj.bdj.2017.671)
Rajendra, A. et al. 2017. Topical silver diamine fluoride for managing dental caries in children and adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2017(7), article number: CD012718. (10.1002/14651858.CD012718)
Ainine, S. et al. 2017. Managing barriers to gypsy and traveller engagement with dental services. Presented at: IADR General Session: 95th General Session & Exhibition of the IADR, San Francisco, CA, United States, 22-25 March 2017.
Innes, N. P. T. et al. 2017. The Hall Technique 10 years on. British Dental Journal 222(6), pp. 478--483. (10.1038/sj.bdj.2017.273)
Robertson, M., Harris, J., Innes, N. and Rutter, J. 2017. Use of the Hall Technique in children with learning difficulties. Presented at: IADR General Session: 95th General Session & Exhibition of the IADR, 22 - 25 Mar 2017.
Rutter, J. et al. 2017. FiCTION filling children’s teeth: indicated or not? Integrating qualitative research. Presented at: IADR 95th General Session, San Francisco, California, USA, 22 - 25 March 2017Proceedings IADR General Session.
Innes, N. and Schwendicke, F. 2017. Restorative thresholds for carious lesions: systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Dental Research 96(5), pp. 501-508. (10.1177/0022034517693605)
Eaton, K. A., Innes, N., Balaji, S., Pugh, C., Honkala, E. and Lynch, C. 2017. Don't be rejected, how can we help authors, reviewers and editors?: Report of a Symposium for Editors Publishers and Others with an Interest in Scientific Publication, Held in Boston on Wednesday, 11 March 2015, during the Annual Meeting of the International Association for Dental Research. Journal of Dentistry 57, pp. 77-85. (10.1016/j.jdent.2016.11.013)

2016

Chen, Z., Lu, Z. M., Schwendicke, F., Innes, N. P. T. and Frencken, J. E. 2016. Managing carious lesions. Chinese Journal of Stomatology 51(12), pp. 712-716. (10.3760/cma.j.issn.1002-0098.2016.12.003)
McFadden, A. et al. 2016. Community engagement to enhance trust between Gypsy/Travellers, and maternity, early years’ and child dental health services. International Journal for Equity in Health 15, article number: 183. (10.1186/s12939-016-0475-9)
Schwendicke, F., Stolpe, M. and Innes, N. 2016. Conventional treatment, Hall Technique or immediate pulpotomy for carious primary molars: A cost-effectiveness analysis. International Endodontic Journal 49(9), pp. 817-826. (10.1111/iej.12537)
Sabbagh, H. J. et al. 2016. Environmental risk factors in the etiology of nonsyndromic orofacial clefts in the western region of Saudi Arabia. cleft palate-craniofacial journal 53(4), pp. 435--443. (10.1597/14-136)
Innes, N., Schwendicke, F. and Lamont, T. 2016. How do we create, and improve, the evidence base?. British Dental Journal 220(12), pp. 651. (10.1038/sj.bdj.2016.451)
Frencken, J., Innes, N. and Schwendicke, F. 2016. Managing carious lesions: why do we need consensus on terminology and clinical recommendations on carious tissue removal?. Advances in Dental Research: an E-Supplement to Journal of Dental Research 28(2), pp. 46-48. (10.1177/0022034516639272)
Innes, N., Frencken, J. and Schwendicke, F. 2016. Don't know, can't do, won't change: barriers to moving knowledge to action in managing the carious lesion. Journal of Dental Research 95(5), pp. 485-486. (10.1177/0022034516638512)
Schwendicke, F. et al. 2016. Managing carious lesions: consensus recommendations on carious tissue removal. Advances in Dental Research: an E-Supplement to Journal of Dental Research 28(2), pp. 58-67. (10.1177/0022034516639271)
Innes, N., Frencken, J. E. and Bjørndal, L. 2016. Managing carious lesions. Advances in Dental Research: an E-Supplement to Journal of Dental Research 28(2), pp. 49-57. (10.1177/0022034516639276)
Hesse, D., Pinheiro de Araujo, M., Olegário, I. C., Innes, N., Prócida Raggio, D. and Calil Bonifácio, C. 2016. Atraumatic Restorative Treatment compared to the Hall Technique for occluso-proximal cavities in primary molars. Trials 17, article number: 169. (10.1186/s13063-016-1270-z)

2015

Innes, N. P. T., Ricketts, D., Chong, L. Y., Keightley, A. J., Lamont, T. and Santamaria, R. M. 2015. Preformed crowns for decayed primary molar teeth. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015(12), article number: CD005512. (10.1002/14651858.CD005512.pub3)
Levey, E., Carson, S. and Innes, N. 2015. Patients give meaning to changes in health complaints before, during and after the replacement of amalgam restorations. Evidence-Based Dentistry 16(4), pp. 100-101. (10.1038/sj.ebd.6401127)
Innes, N., Stewart, M., Souster, G. and Evans, D. 2015. The Hall Technique; Retrospective case-note follow-up of 5-year RCT. British Dental Journal 219(8), pp. 395-400. (10.1038/sj.bdj.2015.816)
Lamont, T., Schwendicke, F. and Innes, N. 2015. Why we need a core outcome set for trials of interventions for prevention and management of caries. Evidence-Based Dentistry 16(3), pp. 66-68. (10.1038/sj.ebd.6401109)
Sabbagh, H. et al. 2015. Birth prevalence of non-syndromic orofacial clefts in Saudi Arabia and the effects of parental consanguinity. Saudi Medical Journal 36(9), pp. 1076-1083. (10.15537/smj.2015.9.11823)
Schwendicke, F., Lamont, T. and Innes, N. 2015. Outcomes in Trials for Management of Caries Lesions (OuTMaC): Protocol. Trials 16(1), article number: 397. (10.1186/s13063-015-0927-3)
Innes, N. P. and Stewart, M. 2015. The hall technique, a simplified method for placing stainless steel crowns on primary molars, may be as successful as traditionally placed crowns. Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice 15(2), pp. 70-72. (10.1016/j.jebdp.2015.03.008)
Borrie, F. R. P., Bearn, D. R., Innes, N. P. T. and Iheozor-Ejiofor, Z. 2015. Interventions for the cessation of non-nutritive sucking habits in children. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 3 (10.1002/14651858.CD008694.pub2)
Sabbagh, H. J., Hassan, M. H. A., Innes, N. P., Elkodary, H. M., Little, J. and Mossey, P. A. 2015. Passive smoking in the etiology of non-syndromic orofacial clefts: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS ONE 10(3), article number: e0116963. (10.1371/journal.pone.0116963)
Santamaria, R. M., Innes, N. P., Machiulskiene, V., Evans, D. J., Alkilzy, M. and Splieth, C. H. 2015. Acceptability of different caries management methods for primary molars in a RCT. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry 25(1), pp. 9-17. (10.1111/ipd.12097)
Innes, N. 2015. The gentle touch. Denplan Insight 4, pp. 14.

2014

Evans, D., Innes, N. and Rodrigues, S. 2014. Dentistry without drills. youtube.com: Primary Science Teaching Trust. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huiqwRn9pPk&feature=youtu.be
Keightley, A., Clarkson, J., Maguire, A., Speed, C. and Innes, N. 2014. Participant recruitment to FiCTION, a primary dental care trial-survey of facilitators and barriers. British Dental Journal 217(10), article number: E22. (10.1038/sj.bdj.2014.1009)
Santamaria, R., Innes, N., Machiulskiene, V., Evans, D. and Splieth, C. 2014. Caries management strategies for primary molars: 1-yr randomized control trial results. Journal of Dental Research 93(11), pp. 1062-1069. (10.1177/0022034514550717)
Santamaria, R. and Innes, N. 2014. Trial shows partial caries removal is an effective technique in primary molars. Evidence-Based Dentistry 15(3), pp. 81-82. (10.1038/sj.ebd.6401044)
Sabbagh, H., Hassan, M., Innes, N., Al Baik, A. and Mossey, P. 2014. Parental consanguinity and nonsyndromic orofacial clefts in children: A systematic review and meta-analyses. cleft palate-craniofacial journal 51(5), pp. 501-513. (10.1597/12-209)
Innes, N. and Giannobile, W. 2014. The breadth of oral health research: Translating to clinical practice. Journal of Dental Research 93(7), pp. 616-617. (10.1177/0022034514537648)
Souster, G. and Innes, N. 2014. Two commentaries on review of characteristics of child dental neglect. Evidence-Based Dentistry 15(1), pp. 2-3. (10.1038/sj.ebd.6400996)
Page Foster, L. A., Boyd, D. H., Davidson, S. E., McKay, S. K., Thomson, W. M. and Innes, N. P. 2014. Acceptability of the Hall Technique in New Zealand. The New Zealand Dental Journal 2014(1), pp. 12-17.
Foster Page, L. A., Boyd, D. H., Davidson, S. E., McKay, S. K., Thomson, W. M. and Innes, N. P. 2014. Acceptability of the Hall Technique to parents and children.. The New Zealand Dental Journal 110(1), pp. 12-17.
Alamoudi, N. M. et al. 2014. Prevalence and characteristics of non-syndromic orofacial clefts in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and the influence of consanguinity. Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry 38(3), pp. 241-246. (10.17796/jcpd.38.3.bm4m2158v17p2535)

2013

Innes, N. 2013. An interview with the editor. Evidence-Based Dentistry 14(4), pp. 100-101. (10.1038/sj.ebd.6400962)
Lamont, T. and Innes, N. 2013. Study suggests dentine bonding agents provided better relief from dentine hypersensitivity than a desensitising toothpaste. Evidence-Based Dentistry 14(4), pp. 105-106. (10.1038/sj.ebd.6400965)
Innes, N. P. and Evans, D. J. 2013. Evidence of improved access to dental care with direct access arrangements. Evidence-Based Dentistry 14(2), pp. 36-37. (10.1038/sj.ebd.6400926)
Innes, N. and Evans, D. 2013. Modern approaches to caries management of the primary dentition. British Dental Journal 214(11), pp. 559-566. (10.1038/sj.bdj.2013.529)
Innes, N. P. T., Clarkson, J. E., Speed, C., Douglas, G. V. A. and Maguire, A. 2013. The FiCTION dental trial protocol - filling children's teeth: Indicated or not?. BMC Oral Health 13, article number: 25. (10.1186/1472-6831-13-25)
Bradbury-Jones, C., Innes, N., Evans, D., Ballantyne, F. and Taylor, J. 2013. Dental neglect as a marker of broader neglect: a qualitative investigation of public health nurses' assessments of oral health in preschool children. BMC Public Health 13, article number: 370. (10.1186/1471-2458-13-370)
Ricketts, D., Lamont, T., Innes, N. P. T., Kidd, E. and Clarkson, J. E. 2013. Operative caries management in adults and children.. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 3, article number: CD003808. (10.1002/14651858.CD003808.pub3)
Innes, N. et al. 2013. Should I eXtract Every Six dental trial (SIXES): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 14(1), article number: 59. (10.1186/1745-6215-14-59)
Santamaria, R., Innes, N., Christiansen, J. and Splieth, C. 2013. Paradigm shift in dental caries in deciduous teeth: Summary of the main lectures of the DGKiZ Spring Meeting 2013 | Paradigmenwechsel bei der Karies an Milchzähnen; Zusammenfassung der Hauptvorträge der Frühjahrstagung der DGKiZ 2013. Oralprophylaxe und Kinderzahnheilkunde 35(2), pp. 57-59.

2012

Innes, N. 2012. Quality of the published qualitative dental research is mediocre. Evidence-Based Dentistry 13(4), pp. 122. (10.1038/sj.ebd.6400903)
Splieth, C., Innes, N. and Sohnel, A. 2012. Evidence-based cariology in clinical and public health practice as part of the European Core Curriculum in Cariology. European Journal of Dental Education 15(SUPPL.), pp. 45-51. (10.1111/j.1600-0579.2011.00714.x)
Innes, N. 2012. Patients with oro-facial clefts have more dental anomalies. Evidence-Based Dentistry 13(3), pp. 82-83. (10.1038/sj.ebd.6400877)
Marshman, Z. et al. 2012. The management of dental caries in primary teeth - involving service providers and users in the design of a trial. Trials 13, article number: 143 (2012). (10.1186/1745-6215-13-143)
Innes, N. 2012. Rubber dam use less stressful for children and dentists. Evidence-Based Dentistry 13(2), pp. 48. (10.1038/sj.ebd.6400859)
Innes, N. and Hurst, D. 2012. GDC learning outcomes for the undergraduate dental curriculum. Evidence-Based Dentistry 13(1), pp. 2-3. (10.1038/sj.ebd.6400834)
Innes, N. and Evans, D. 2012. Challenges in early childhood caries management - Fluoride programmes for children. Oralprophylaxe und Kinderzahnheilkunde 34(4), pp. 158-160. (10.3238/OPKZH.2012.0158-0160)
Sabbagh, H., Mossey, P. and Innes, N. 2012. Prevalence of orofacial clefts in Saudi Arabia and neighboring countries: A systematic review. Saudi Dental Journal 24(1), pp. 3-10. (10.1016/j.sdentj.2011.11.001)

2011

Innes, N., Evans, D. and Stirrups, D. 2011. Sealing caries in primary molars: Randomized control trial, 5-year results. Journal of Dental Research 90(12), pp. 1405-1410. (10.1177/0022034511422064)
Gilchrist, F., Howell, J. L., Gavens, D. P., North, S., Innes, N. P. T. and Rodd, H. D. 2011. Clinical outcomes for preformed metal crowns placed by dental undergraduates. Presented at: British Society for Paediatric Dentistry Annual Scientific Meeting, Glasgow, Scotland, 13-16 September 2011, Vol. 21. Vol. s2. Wiley pp. 12., (10.1111/j.1365-263X.2011.01167_5.x)
Ricketts, D. N. J. and Innes, N. P. T. 2011. To drill or not to drill? How much caries removal do we need?. In: Splieth, C. H. ed. Revolutions in Pediatric Dentistry. Quintessence Publishing Co. Ltd

2010

Innes, N. 2010. Enamel matrix derivative for direct pulp capping. Evidence-Based Dentistry 11(2), pp. 45-46. (10.1038/sj.ebd.6400719)
Innes, N., Marshman, Z. and Vendan, R. 2010. A group of general dental practitioners' views of preformed metal crowns after participation in the Hall technique clinical trial: a mixed-method evaluation.. Primary Dental Care 17(1), pp. 33-37. (10.1308/135576110790307672)

2009

Innes, N. P. T. 2009. Traumatic intrusion of primary teeth and developmental defects in successor teeth. Evidence-Based Dentistry 10(3), pp. 70-71. (10.1038/sj.ebd.6400663)
Innes, N. and Evans, D. 2009. Caries prevention for older people in residential care homes. Evidence-Based Dentistry 10(3), pp. 83-87. (10.1038/sj.ebd.6400672)
Innes, N., Evans, D. and Hall, N. 2009. The Hall Technique for managing carious primary molars.. Dental Update 36(8), pp. 472-4, 477-8. (10.12968/denu.2009.36.8.472)
Burrow, M., Ricketts, D., Kidd, E., Innes, N. and Clarkson, J. 2009. Complete or ultraconservative removal of decayed tissue in unfilled teeth. Australian Dental Journal 54(3), pp. 274-276. (10.1111/j.1834-7819.2009.01133.x)
Ricketts, D., Kidd, E., Innes, N. and Clarkson, J. 2009. Complete or ultraconservative removal of decayed tissue in unfilled teeth. Australian Dental Journal 52(3), pp. 252-253. (10.1111/j.1834-7819.2007.tb00497.x)
Innes, N. and Evans, D. 2009. Managing dental caries in children: Improving acceptability and outcomes through changing priorities and understanding the disease. British Dental Journal 206(10), pp. 549-550. (10.1038/sj.bdj.2009.471)

2008

Innes, N., Evans, D. and Stirrups, D. 2008. The hall technique. British Dental Journal 205(4), pp. 167-168. (10.1038/sj.bdj.2008.701)

2007

Innes, N. P., Evans, D. J. P. and Stirrups, D. R. 2007. The Hall technique; a randomized controlled clinical trial of a novel method of managing carious primary molars in general dental practice: acceptability of the technique and outcomes at 23 months. BMC Oral Health 7, article number: 18. (10.1186/1472-6831-7-18)
Innes, N. 2007. Better outcomes in pulpotomies on primary molars with MTA: Is mineral trioxide aggregate more effective than formocresol for primary molar pulpotomy?. Evidence-Based Dentistry 8(1), pp. 11-12. (10.1038/sj.ebd.6400464)

2006

Evans, D. and Innes, N. 2006. Outside the ivory tower [Letter]. British Dental Journal 201(5), pp. 249-250. (10.1038/sj.bdj.4813997)
Ricketts, D., Kidd, E., Innes, N. P. T. and Clarkson, J. E. 2006. Complete or ultraconservative removal of decayed tissue in unfilled teeth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews(4) (10.1002/14651858.CD003808.pub2)
Innes, N. P. T., Stirrups, D. R., Evans, D. J. P., Hall, N. and Leggate, M. 2006. A novel technique using preformed metal crowns for managing carious primary molars in general practice - A retrospective analysis. British Dental Journal 200(8), pp. 451-454. (10.1038/sj.bdj.4813466)
Innes, N. P. T., Ricketts, D. and Evans, D. J. P. 2006. Preformed metal crowns for decayed primary molar teeth. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews(1) (10.1002/14651858.CD005512.pub2)

2005

Innes, N. P. T., Evans, D. J. P., Clarkson, J. E. and Foley, J. I. 2005. Obtaining an evidence-base for clinical dentistry through clinical trials.. Primary Dental Care os12(3), pp. 91-96. (10.1308/1355761054348459)

2000

Evans, D. P. J., Southwick, C. A. P., Foley, J. I., Innes, N. P., Pavitt, S. H. and Hall, N. 2000. The Hall technique: a pilot trial of anovel use of preformed metal crownsfor managing carious primary teeth.. Tuith Online

1999

Innes, N. P. T. and Ogden, G. R. 1999. A technique for the study of endocytosis in human oral epithelial cells. Archives of Oral Biology 44(6), pp. 519-523. (10.1016/S0003-9969(99)00027-8)

1998

Coughtrie, M. W. H., Sharp, S., Maxwell, K. and Innes, N. P. 1998. Biology and function of the reversible sulfation pathway catalysed by human sulfotransferases and sulfatases. Chemico-Biological Interactions 109(1-3), pp. 3-27. (10.1016/S0009-2797(97)00117-8)

Nicola Innes is Dean of Cardiff Dental School She is Professor of Paediatric Dentistry, Honorary Consultant and Head of Cardiff Dental School and currently Interim Pro-vice Chancellor, Education and Student Experience. She is Research Lead of the Improving Dentistry Group.

Having initially qualified as a Registered General Nurse, gaining a BSc in Life Sciences (1991) from Napier University, Edinburgh followed by an intercalated BMSc in Cellular/Molecular Pathology (1995) and BDS(hons) in 1998 from the University of Dundee, she passed membership exams with the Royal College of Surgeons of England for the Faculty of General Dental Practitioners (2004) and the Faculty of Dental Surgery (2005) and awarded Ad Eundem Fellowship Faculty of Dentistry from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. She was admitted to the General Dental Council Specialist List for Paediatric Dentistry in 2011.

Professor Innes spent seven years as a General Dentist in Scotland and was awarded a PhD based on a randomised control trial investigating the Hall Technique whilst part-time in practice and part-time at the University of Dundee (2011). She began her academic career as a Clinical Lecturer at the University of Dundee in 2005 and took up the position of Head of Cardiff Dental School in August. 2020.

With research interests driven by a desire to improve patient care and make the most efficient and ethical use of resources, Professor Innes has mainly focussed on national and international collaborations in clinical trials and offshoots of these. She has led two UK-wide NIHR-funded child dental research projects, participated in Germany, Lithuania, Australia, Brazil, US and New Zealand based trials, co-authored Cochrane reviews related to cariology and she sits on several guidance development groups.

The specific areas she focusses on are:

clinical trials in cariology, restorative, preventive and paediatric dentistry (development of a modern scientific evidence base for prevention and management of dental caries)
patient (especially children’s) perceptions of dental care (making dentistry more patient/child friendly)
translational research and related educational research (practitioner implementation of evidence-based practice and moving research into practice for public benefit)

These research areas underpin her teaching commitments in children’s dentistry, cariology and evidence based practice. In Dundee she co-led implementation of a new undergraduate curriculum.

Honours and awards

International

IADR Educational Research Group Faculty Award (2014)
British Council Workshop; Fluoride Metabolism and Public Health Award - International Collaboration meeting in Bauru, Brazil (2014)
First Prize Senior Clinical Research Category of Hatton Awards: International Association for Dental Research (2011)

National

First Prize Senior Colgate Award: British Society for Oral and Dental Research (2010)
Chief Scientist's Office, PhD Research Training Fellowship (2000)
Royal Odonto-Chirurgical Society of Scotland Undergraduate Award (1998)
First Prize Unilever Award (pre & post-doc.) British Society for Dental Research (1996)

Current supervision

Ali Borzabadi Farahani

Idris Busaily Busaily

Louay Hanafi

Saarah Juman

Glesni Guest-Rowlands

Heather Lundbeck

Past projects

PhDs (current)

Idris Busailly – Investigation of, and strategies for, improving the implementation of research evidence in general dental practice using radiography and fluoride varnish as two case studies. Year 1 (full-time, Cardiff University)

Louay Hanafi – The use of PEEK as an aesthetic and minimally invasive material for preformed crowns for children with compromised primary molars. Year 1 (full-time, Cardiff University)

Alexander Gormley - £398,971.00 NIHR Doctoral Fellowship NIHR302605 HARMONY – HeAlthieR sMiles fOr childreN with cleft bY improving tooth decay prevention and management. Year 1 (full-time, Bristol University)

Heather Lundbeck – Addressing the barriers to, and facilitators of, behaviours associated with general dental practitioners’ use of Minimally Invasive Dentistry for the management of carious lesions. Year 2 (part-time, Cardiff University)

Mark Robertson – CHANGE: Stakeholders’ experiences of dental management of CHildren with disabilities, And developmeNt and evaluation of an educational intervention for underGraduate dEntal students; a mixed methods study. Year 3 (part-time, University of Dundee)

MPhil (current)

Saarah Juman - Epidemiology Of Orofacial Clefts And Craniofacial Anomalies In A Multi-Ethnic Population (full-time)

PhD (awarded)

Ali Farahani - Assessment of the Index of Orthognathic Functional Treatment Need (IOFTN); systematic review and 4 retrospective studies (Cardiff University, PhD by publication) 2025

Melis Alkyildiz – Evaluation of the Occlusal Effects of the Hall Technique and Investigation of Children's Satisfaction (part-time, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Turkey) 2024

Greig Taylor – Pathways for the management of molar incisor hypomineralisation in the UK. A cost-effectiveness analysis. 2023

Dalia Bajabir – Behavioural changes and modification of known environmental factors as part in reducing the occurrence of cleft lip and palate. 2021

Waraf Al-Yaseen – Mind the gap; what influences the changes in clinical care decision making from undergraduate to qualified dentist. 2020

Nassar Seifo – Silver diamine fluoride as a caries preventive treatment. 2020

Mariana Araujo – The Hall Technique and ART in a school setting; a randomised control clinical trial. Joint with University of Sao Paolo, Brazil. 2020

Heba Sabbagh – Investigation into the prevalence and aetiology of orofacial clefts in Saudi Arabia; a gene-environment interaction study. Post-graduate College of MDN presentations 2013 1st prize. 2015

MSc (awarded)

Hal Esler – Radiographs of children in primary dental care; quality of FiCTION Trial radiographs. 2020

Sam Rollings – Establishing the limitations of digital subtraction radiography to investigate progression/regression of caries lesions after ‘sealing-in’ in a clinical environment. 2017

Mark Robertson – The Hall Technique in learning disabled children; an observational study and systematic review with clinical recommendations. 2018

Contact Details

InnesN@cardiff.ac.uk

Research themes

Specialisms

guideline development
Dental public health
E-Oral Health and teledentistry
Clinical Trials
Systematic reviews

Text message reminders help teens brush their teeth

31 October 2024

Text message reminders can help improve oral health in teenagers

17 October 2024

External profiles

ORCID

Professor Nicola Innes PhD, BDS, BSc, BMSc, MFDS (RCS Eng), MFGDP (RCS Eng), FFD (RCSI)

Teams and roles for Nicola Innes

Interim Pro-vice Chancellor, Education and Student Experience; Head of School of Dentistry

Overview

Publication

2025

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020