The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is one of UK’s largest funders of
health and care research, supporting studies that improve patient outcomes and strengthen
clinical practice. The South London Regional Research Delivery Network (SL RRDN) is part
of this national infrastructure, providing practical, local support to help health and care
organisations—including dental practices—take part in research.
The NIHR South London Regional Research Delivery Network (SL RRDN) is working to
support dental practices across South East and South West London to become more
involved in research. It is headed up by Prof Avijit Banerjee from the Faculty of Dentistry,
Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, King’s College London (Avijit Banerjee appointed Chair of
Faculty of Dentists – College of General Dentistry)
We know how busy life in dental practice can be—juggling patients, running a business, and
keeping up with everything else leaves very little spare time. That’s exactly why our role is to
make getting involved in research as simple, flexible, and worthwhile as possible, with
support tailored to fit around your day-to-day work.
This work aligns with the government’s three key shifts in healthcare: moving care from
hospitals into the community, focusing more on prevention rather than treatment, and
making better use of data and digital innovation. There is also increasing investment in
research delivery in Wider Care Settings, creating new opportunities for primary
care—including dentistry—to take part in and lead research that directly benefits local
populations.
Research in primary care dentistry plays a vital role in improving patient outcomes, shaping
future services, and strengthening the evidence base for clinical practice. Getting involved
can also bring real benefits to your practice—raising your profile as a forward-thinking,
research-active service, supporting staff development and team engagement, and offering
patients access to new treatments and opportunities that can enhance the quality of care
you provide.
Whether you are completely new to research or already have some experience, the SL
RRDN team can support you at every stage—from understanding what involvement looks
like, to identifying suitable studies, and helping you get set up with minimal disruption.
We are keen to connect with practices across the region to raise awareness of opportunities
within the NIHR portfolio and to make participation in research as straightforward and
accessible as possible.
New to research? Quick Q&A
Do I need prior research experience?
Not at all. Many dental practices start with no prior experience. We’ll guide you through the
basics and help you take that first step with confidence.
Will this add extra pressure to an already busy schedule?
We understand how busy practice life is. Research can be scaled to fit around your capacity,
and we’ll work with you to make it manageable—not overwhelming.
Do I need extra staff or space?
Not necessarily. Many studies can be delivered within your existing setup, and we’ll help
assess what’s feasible for your practice.
What support will we actually get?
You’ll have hands-on support from the SL RRDN team throughout—from initial
conversations and training, through to study set-up and delivery.
Is it financially viable for practices?
Yes—many studies come with service support cost and/or research cost funding to
recognise the time and resources involved.
What’s in it for our team and patients?
Your team can gain new skills and development opportunities, while patients benefit from
access to innovative treatments and contributing to improving future dental care.
Myth vs Reality
Myth: Research is only for large or academic practices
Reality: Practices of all sizes can take part, including small and independent clinics.
Myth: It’s too time-consuming to be realistic
Reality: Many studies are designed to fit around routine appointments and can be scaled to
your availability.
Myth: It will disrupt patient flow
Reality: Studies are carefully selected and supported to integrate smoothly into your existing
workflow.
Myth: It’s complicated and difficult to get started
Reality: The SL RRDN team will guide you step-by-step, making the process straightforward
and supported.
Find out more about the NIHR:
https://www.nihr.ac.uk/
Learn more about the South London RRDN:
South London | NIHR RDN
As part of this work, we recently spoke with Dr Tarik SHEMBESH (DAKATRA LTD), who has
successfully secured NIHR Wider Care Settings Funding—part of a broader national push to
expand research beyond traditional hospital settings and into community-based services like
dental practices. In the short interview clips (follow links below), Tarik shares his experience
of getting involved in research and the benefits it has brought to his practice—offering
valuable insight for others who may be considering taking their first steps.
Interview clip 1
Interview clip 2
Interview clip 3
We also host a quarterly ‘South London RRDN Dental Practices’ online meeting, providing a
relaxed space to share updates, promote new research opportunities, and highlight best
practice. If you are interested in joining the next session (date TBC), please let us know by
emailing the inbox below.
If you are interested in finding out more about how your practice can get involved in
research, we would love to hear from you.
Please do get in touch to start the conversation.
Email: sl.rrdn@nihr.ac.uk
