Oral Health Research Funding in Relation to Disease Burden in 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 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 science in the Australian Research Council and Medical Research Future Fund was very minimal, with $3.43 million and $1.88 million, respectively.


CONCLUSION
Governmental research funding for dental sciences is inequitable according to the disease burden. More dedicated oral sciences research funding schemes are essential. Funding for prevention-focused public oral health programs is a vital requirement towards reducing the inequalities in population oral health. © 2022 Australian Dental Association.