What began as a talk about toothbrushing led Sam Watt to launch a PhD investigating how dentists can support teenagers to make healthier choices.
The idea for Sam Watt’s PhD began after a visit to a youth group in Barnsley, where she had been invited to talk about toothbrushing. When Sam arrived, many of the young people were holding energy drinks, and one had recently had a tooth removed due to decay. The group asked about the impact of energy drinks on their teeth, revealing a lot of confusion about how these drinks affect oral health.
Sam said: “I came away thinking there must already be plenty of research on how dentists can help tackle sugary drink consumption, but actually, there was very little, and that’s where I got the idea to explore whether dental teams can play a role in helping young people cut down.”
Recently awarded a NIHR Doctoral Fellow at the University of Sheffield, Sam is exploring how dental teams can support children and young people to reduce their intake of sugar-sweetened drinks, a major cause of tooth decay.
Her research focuses on young people aged 11 to 16, an age group that is often overlooked in oral health studies.
“There’s a lot of focus on younger children’s oral health,” she explained, “but less on teenagers, even though their habits are changing. Drinks like bubble tea and iced coffee are really popular now.”
In the first stage of her PhD, Sam conducted interviews with young people, their parents, and dental professionals to understand what drinks they consume, why they choose them, and how aware they are of the effects on their teeth and general health. She also explored how dental teams could help reduce sugary drink intake and which types of interventions might be most effective, for example, through leaflets, videos, or websites.
The next stage involves a larger survey to gather broader data, followed by designing and testing an intervention in dental practices.
“We’re hoping to work with eight to ten practices,” Sam said. “The aim is to find realistic, practical ways for dental teams to start these conversations and help young people make healthier choices.”
Sam’s route into dentistry began as a teenager, driven by her love of science and people.
“I always wanted to work in health, but I wasn’t sure which area,” she said. “I had a brilliant dentist and orthodontist who let me shadow them in their practices. I loved the mix of hands-on practical work and building meaningful relationships with patients, seeing the real, tangible benefits of care.”
After graduating from the University of Birmingham Dental School, Sam completed her foundation training in North West London and went on to work in Cardiff, Bristol, and later Luton, where she took a role in community dentistry.
“I knew I wanted to work in dental public health,” she explained. “Working in the community let me see a different group of patients. Part of the job involved visiting schools and collecting data for a national oral health survey, which really deepened my interest in public health.”
Her passion grew further during the COVID-19 pandemic, when she saw how vital prevention and education are for improving health outcomes. She went on to complete a Master’s in Public Health at the University of Bristol, combining her clinical experience with a broader understanding of health systems and behaviour change.
Through her NIHR Doctoral Fellowship, Sam receives support not only for her research but also for training, mentorship, and international collaboration. The Fellowship funds conference attendance and global knowledge exchange and Sam hopes to visit Norway to learn from teams doing innovative work in adolescent oral health.
Tooth decay remains a major public health issue in the UK. Among five to nine year olds, tooth extractions are still the leading cause of hospital admissions. Around one in five five year olds experience tooth decay, with higher rates in more deprived areas. Teenagers are also affected, with about one in five showing decay in their permanent teeth.
Sam’s research aims to provide evidence-based approaches that dental teams can use to address one of the main culprits, frequent consumption of sugary drinks.
“There’s still a lot of confusion among young people about which drinks are better for them,” Sam said. “If we can help dental teams have these conversations in a way that feels relevant and practical, it could make a real difference, preventative work that helps future generations.”
Outside of her research, Sam enjoys running, hiking, and going to the theatre. “I’m a very average runner,” Sam said, “the hills in Sheffield are definitely humbling.” She also loves travelling, recently visiting Canada on her honeymoon after getting married in May.
From the dental chair to public health research, Sam’s journey reflects her deep commitment to improving oral health for the next generation, empowering dental teams to help young people make lasting, positive changes.