Abstract

In May 2005, a decision was taken by the Shirley Glasstone Hughes (SGH) Foundation trustees to suspend investments in research for one year, to allow a review of the outcomes of SGH research funding over the past 15 years. Money was instead directed to the BDA Research Unit, to employ a staff member who would conduct the evaluation under the supervision of the BDA Scientific Adviser. The evaluation focused on three aspects of the research produced: 1) relevance to primary dental care, 2) scientific quality and impact on the research community, and 3) grant recipients' feelings about SGH funding and whether the mechanisms of supporting research could be improved. The methods used included questioning BDA members about the research they found of interest and relevance, checking research outputs against standardised quality criteria, examining impact factors and citation rates (relative to the funding received) and questioning grant recipients about their experience with SGH funding. The results implied that the fund had largely been spent on research themes felt to be relevant to practice by BDA members. In addition, the publication rate, publication quality, impact and citation indices demonstrated the SGH research work to be largely of high quality. Recipients of the fund indicated several factors which might improve the experience of receiving funding and possibly also improve the research output. It can be concluded that the SGH funds have largely been well spent but that it is worth considering implementing changes which would make the research findings of greater relevance to clinical practice.

1. Senior University Teacher, Glasgow Dental School, 378 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3JZ;
2. Dean, Peninsula Dental School, The John Bull Building, Tamar Science Park, Research Way, Plymouth, PL6 8BU;
3. Senior Policy Officer, British Dental Association, 2 Caspian Point, Caspian Way, Cardiff Bay, Cardiff, CF10 4DQ

Correspondence to: E. J. Kay² e-mail: elizabeth.kay@pds.ac.uk