Dr Linda Wallace
Lecturer
School of Health Sciences (Oral Health)
- Email:linda.wallace@newcastle.edu.au
- Phone:(02) 4349 4575
Career Summary
Biography
Linda Wallace is a registered Dental Hygienist with over 30 years’ experience in the dental profession including six years in the Royal Australian Airforce. Linda has graduate certificates in Public Health and the Practice of Tertiary Teaching and is currently a PhD candidate. She has worked in both private and public practice in the Hunter region and received a Hunter New England Health Quality Award in 2006 for her Smoking Cessation project. The public dental sector offered her the opportunity to develop her interest in special needs dentistry and oral health promotion in her role of Oral Health Promotion Educator for Hunter New England region from 1995. Linda worked with Dr Peter King to develop and implement the successful ‘Smiles Alive’ program with an aim to improve the oral health of nursing home patients. In 2007 she joined the University of Newcastle as an Associate Lecturer in the Bachelor of Oral Health program and was promoted to Lecturer in 2011. In 2012 Linda shared a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Award with A/Prof Jane Taylor for the ongoing overseas placement program that they developed and coordinate for Bachelor of Oral Health students to Soe, West Timor. Linda is a member of the Australian Dental Council as the representative for the Dental Hygienists Association of Australia.
Research ExpertiseLinda Wallace has been fortunate to be part of the evolution of dental hygiene as a profession in Australia, particularly NSW. Her insight into the profession has helped guide her research focus to the career choice, employment opportunities and job satisfaction of dental hygienists. Linda was also employed as the Oral Health Promotion Educator for Hunter New England Health from 1996-2007 where she focused on smoking cessation and aged care projects. Both of these are still areas of interest today.
Teaching Expertise
Since joining the university Linda Wallace has completed a Graduate Certificate in Tertiary Training. As a registered dental hygienist with over 25 years clinical experience, Linda provides teaching an all areas of the program but has a keen interest in periodontal instrumentation and health promotion.
Administrative Expertise
As Oral Health Promotion Educator for Hunter New England Health, Linda was responsible for the development, implementation and evaluation of oral health promotion activities in the region. Linda has previously held the positions of President (NSW Branch) - Dental Hygienist Association of Australia (DHAA) and National Treasurer - DHAA. Linda is currently the DHAA representative on the Australian Dental Council.
Qualifications
- PhD (Oral Health), University of Newcastle
- Hygienist Certificate, Royal Australian Naval Training School
- Oral Health Promotion Course, University of New England
- Certificate IV in Workplace Assessment & Training, NSW Health
- Local Anaesthetic - Dental Hygienist Certificate, University of Newcastle
- Graduate Certificate (Practice-Tertiary Teaching), University of Newcastle
- Graduate Certificate in Public Health, Queensland University of Technology
Keywords
- Aged Care
- Career Choice
- Dental Hygienist
- Health Promotion
- Job Satisfaction
- Oral Health
- Periodontal Instrumentation
- VR
- Virtual Reality
Fields of Research
| Code | Description | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 111799 | Public Health and Health Services not elsewhere classified | 15 |
| 111702 | Aged Health Care | 30 |
| 110599 | Dentistry not elsewhere classified | 55 |
Professional Experience
UON Appointment
| Title | Organisation / Department |
|---|---|
| Lecturer | University of Newcastle School of Health Sciences Australia |
Academic appointment
| Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
|---|---|---|
| 9/4/2018 - 30/1/2019 | Program Convenor Oral Health Therapy | School of Health Sciences Oral Health Australia |
| 29/1/2007 - 31/12/2010 | Associate Lecturer | School of Health Sciences Oral Health Australia |
Professional appointment
| Dates | Title | Organisation / Department |
|---|---|---|
| 1/1/1996 - 1/1/2007 | Oral Health Promotion Educator | Hunter New England Health Australia |
| 1/8/1982 - 1/8/1988 | Dental Hygienist | Royal Australian Airforce Australia |
| 1/8/1988 - 1/1/1996 | Dental Hygienist | Private Dental Practice Australia |
Teaching
| Code | Course | Role | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| ORHL1003 |
Assessment of Oral Health Status School of Health Sciences |
Course Coordinator | 4/2/2008 - 30/11/2014 |
Publications
For publications that are currently unpublished or in-press, details are shown in italics.
Journal article (4 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 |
Wallace JP, Mohammadi J, Wallace LG, Taylor JA, 'Senior Smiles: preliminary results for a new model of oral health care utilizing the dental hygienist in residential aged care facilities', International Journal of Dental Hygiene, 14 284-288 (2016) [C1] © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine whether a qualified dental hygienist could improve ... [more] © 2015 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine whether a qualified dental hygienist could improve oral health outcomes for residents living in residential aged care facilities on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia. Methods: A qualified dental hygienist undertook a 24-week oral hygiene intervention in five residential aged care facilities to test the Senior Smiles, oral health model of care. The facilities were invited to take part in the research, which was funded by a grant from NSW Medicare Local, Erina. Residents were asked to consent to having oral health risk assessments, oral healthcare plans and to receiving referrals for treatment where needed. Pre- and post-intervention plaque scores were recorded for residents and P values calculated using a paired t-test. In addition, the number of residents examined, treated and referred for more complex dental care was recorded. Results: The statistical analysis program, SPSS, was used to conduct a paired t-test to compare pre- and post-intervention plaque scores on residents from the 5 RACFs. A statistically significant result of P < 0.0001 showed the intervention of the dental hygienist was effective in reducing plaque scores in residents across the 5 RACFs. Conclusion: The Senior Smiles model of care provided residents with preventive oral hygiene care, referral pathways for complex dental treatment needs and established a formal management programme for ongoing oral health care within the RACFs. The Senior Smiles model of care is successful and transportable.
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| 2012 |
Taylor JA, Hayes MJ, Wallace LG, 'Dental hygiene student experiences in external placements in Australia', Journal of Dental Education, 76 651-655 (2012) [C1]
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| 2010 |
Wallace LG, Cockrell DJ, Taylor JA, 'The University of Newcastle's first cohort of Bachelor of Oral Health students: A social profile', Australian Dental Journal, 55 436-440 (2010) [C1]
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| 2010 |
Wallace JP, Taylor JA, Wallace LG, Cockrell DJ, 'Student focused oral health promotion in residential aged care facilities', International Journal of Health Promotion and Education, 48 111-114 (2010) [C1]
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| Show 1 more journal article | |||||||||||
Conference (6 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 |
Wallace JP, Taylor J, Wallace L, Higgins D, Franks K, 'Senior Smiles: A preventive model of oral hygiene care and referral pathways for geriatric residents in Aged Care Facilities', Vienna Austria (2018)
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| 2018 |
Wallace JP, Taylor J, Higgins D, Wallace L, McLaren L, 'Non-traditional oral health student placements: the changing environment', London UK (2018)
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| 2018 |
Wallace JP, Franks K, Higgins D, Wallace L, McLaren L, Taylor J, 'Senior Smiles the implementation and management', Perth, Australia (2018)
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| 2015 |
TAYLOR J, Wallace LINDA, 'An overview of a volunteer student placement oral health promotion project: saving smiles in Soe', Glasgow, Scotland (2015) [E3]
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| 2010 |
Wallace LG, Taylor JA, 'Saving smiles in Soe: Volunteer placement for dental hygiene students', Proceedings of the 9th International Conference of Asian Academy of Preventive Dentistry 2010, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (2010) [E3]
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| Show 3 more conferences | |||||
Other (1 outputs)
| Year | Citation | Altmetrics | Link | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 |
Wallace JP, Franks K, Wallace L, Mohammadi J, McLaren L, '''Senior Smiles'' oral health program: a short documentary', (2016) [O1]
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Grants and Funding
Summary
| Number of grants | 6 |
|---|---|
| Total funding | $672,238 |
Click on a grant title below to expand the full details for that specific grant.
20193 grants / $31,100
EMS Airflow Technology$22,000
Funding body: School of Health Science, Faculty of Health & Medicine, The University of Newcastle
| Funding body | School of Health Science, Faculty of Health & Medicine, The University of Newcastle |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Dr Linda Wallace, Dr Jayne Jones, Dr Denise Higgins, Assoc Prof Janet Wallace |
| Scheme | Teaching and Learning Research Equipment Grant |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2019 |
| Funding Finish | 2019 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Internal |
| Category | INTE |
| UON | N |
VR Perio Probing Project - Haptic Device$4,700
Funding body: Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle
| Funding body | Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Dr Linda Wallace, Dr Denise Higgins, Assoc Prof Janet Wallace |
| Scheme | FHEAM New Course Initiative funding |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2019 |
| Funding Finish | 2019 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Internal |
| Category | INTE |
| UON | N |
Video Equipment$4,400
Funding body: School of Health Sciences
| Funding body | School of Health Sciences |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Dr Linda Wallace, Dr Denise Higgins, Assoc Prof Janet Wallace |
| Scheme | School of Health Sciences Teaching and Learning Equipment Grant |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2019 |
| Funding Finish | 2020 |
| GNo | |
| Type Of Funding | Internal |
| Category | INTE |
| UON | N |
20171 grants / $540,000
Senior Smiles preventive oral health program for older people living in Residential Aged Care Facilities$540,000
Funding body: Elderslee Foundation Australia Ltd
| Funding body | Elderslee Foundation Australia Ltd |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Associate Professor Janet Wallace, Conjoint Professor Jane Taylor, Doctor Denise Higgins, Doctor Linda Wallace |
| Scheme | Philanthropic grant |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2017 |
| Funding Finish | 2019 |
| GNo | G1701230 |
| Type Of Funding | C3111 - Aust For profit |
| Category | 3111 |
| UON | Y |
20151 grants / $1,138
25th Congress of the International Association of Paediatric Dentistry, Glasgow United Kingdom, 1-4 July 2015$1,138
Funding body: University of Newcastle - Faculty of Health and Medicine
| Funding body | University of Newcastle - Faculty of Health and Medicine |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Doctor Linda Wallace |
| Scheme | Travel Grant |
| Role | Lead |
| Funding Start | 2015 |
| Funding Finish | 2015 |
| GNo | G1500808 |
| Type Of Funding | Internal |
| Category | INTE |
| UON | Y |
20131 grants / $100,000
Seniors Smiles - Oral health initiative for residents in Residential Aged Care Facilities$100,000
Funding body: Central Coast NSW Medicare Local Limited
| Funding body | Central Coast NSW Medicare Local Limited |
|---|---|
| Project Team | Associate Professor Janet Wallace, Conjoint Professor Jane Taylor, Doctor Linda Wallace, Associate Professor Fiona Blinkhorn |
| Scheme | Research Grant |
| Role | Investigator |
| Funding Start | 2013 |
| Funding Finish | 2013 |
| GNo | G1301038 |
| Type Of Funding | Other Public Sector - Commonwealth |
| Category | 2OPC |
| UON | Y |
Research Supervision
Number of supervisions
Current Supervision
| Commenced | Level of Study | Research Title | Program | Supervisor Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | PhD | The Development of an Educational Tool to Raise Awareness and Promote Clinical Implementation of Strategies in the Management of Autistic Patients across All Ages and Spectrums for Oral Health Therapists | PhD (Oral Health), Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
Past Supervision
| Year | Level of Study | Research Title | Program | Supervisor Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Honours | Prevalence of dental treatment conducted on patients using Methamphetamines as a recreational drug: A systematic review. | Other Health, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
| 2009 | Honours | A review of the characteristics and career directions of Dental Therapists after graduating with a Bachelor of Oral Health degree from The University of Newcastle. | Other Health, The University of Newcastle | Co-Supervisor |
Research Projects
Saving Smiles in Soe: Work Integrated Learning placements for Oral Health Students 2009 - 2018
Volunteering in professions has increased markedly over the last few years, both for health graduates and as part of undergraduate training programs.
In 2008 The University of Newcastle was approached by a former student on behalf of Impact Church with a proposal to involve Bachelor of Oral Health students in their regular visits to Soe, West Timor, Indonesia. In May 2009, Prof Jane Taylor and Dr Linda Wallace travelled to Soe, West Timor to investigate the educational potential and safety aspects of these proposed student placements. On their return they submitted a proposal to the university to implement this placement as valuable Work Integrated Learning (WIL) experience for the students and the opportunity to provide a much needed service to the local community. Our partners on the ground, Mercy Indonesia, organised itineraries, internal travel, accommodation, meals and interpreter services. In 2016, Mercy Indonesia won the award for The Best National Social Foundation in Indonesia.The main aim of this project was to develop and implement an ongoing health promotion program that improved the oral health outcomes for school age children in Soe.
The project continued until 2018 with over 50 oral health students participating.
Some of the key achievements include
- Grant funding to support student placements
- Ongoing partnership with local school in Soe
- Implementation of a fluoride program
- Development of 'key' oral health messages and resources translated into Indonesian
- Indonesian language support for oral health students
- WIL Awards for Prof Jane Taylor and Dr Linda Wallace in 2012
- WIL Award (Video project) for Oral Health students 2014
- Research presented at National and International conferences
- Honours research project
Virtual Reality - Tooth Puzzle 2020 -
Virtual Reality - Perio Probing 2019 -
Edit
Research Collaborations
The map is a representation of a researchers co-authorship with collaborators across the globe. The map displays the number of publications against a country, where there is at least one co-author based in that country. Data is sourced from the University of Newcastle research publication management system (NURO) and may not fully represent the authors complete body of work.
| Country | Count of Publications | |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | 4 | |
| United Kingdom | 1 |
Dr Linda Wallace
Position
Lecturer
Oral Health
School of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health and Medicine
Focus area
Oral Health
Contact Details
| linda.wallace@newcastle.edu.au | |
| Phone | (02) 4349 4575 |
| Fax | (02) 434 94567 |
Office
| Room | MP101 |
|---|---|
| Building | Multipurpose Building MP |
| Location | Ourimbah 10 Chittaway Road Ourimbah, NSW 2258 Australia |
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