The Borrow Foundation is proud to highlight the significant achievements of the Oral Health Birth Cohort Studies: A Global Consortium (GLOBICS) project. Led by Professor Karen Glazer Peres, this ambitious international research initiative was launched in 2021 through the National Dental Research Institute Singapore. The project has fostered an enduring global collaboration between teams conducting oral health epidemiological studies embedded within birth cohort studies (OHBCS).
Why This Project Matters
Oral diseases are among the most common global health concerns, yet they remain largely preventable. Understanding the long-term effects of early-life factors, such as breastfeeding, sugar intake, and fluoride exposure, on oral health is crucial to shaping preventive strategies. This project was established to generate and disseminate the highest quality scientific evidence to address these critical issues.
Project Aims and Methods
The GLOBICS project had five key objectives:
· To establish and maintain a global repository of OHBCS evidence.
· To enable data pooling from OHBCS.
· To review and share methodological best practices in data collection for OHBCS.
· To provide training for future generations of researchers.
· To collaborate with policymakers and health professionals to enhance prevention, promotion, and treatment of chronic oral diseases.
Through a structured timeline spanning four years (2021-2024), the consortium successfully identified and engaged 16 birth cohort studies across multiple countries, including the USA, Brazil, Germany, Thailand, the Netherlands, France, Cambodia, Uganda, China, and Australia. A key aspect of the project involved data harmonisation and pooled analysis, enabling researchers to investigate critical relationships such as the impact of breastfeeding duration and sugar consumption on early childhood caries.
Key Achievements and Impact
Pioneering Research: The consortium established an International Research Agenda, focusing on priority topics such as the effect of early-life dental visits on long-term oral health and the role of sugar consumption in caries development.
Global Collaboration: The project successfully engaged researchers worldwide, fostering knowledge exchange through workshops in Thailand, Brazil, Germany, and the USA.
Major Publications: Findings were disseminated in prestigious journals, including the Journal of Dental Research, contributing to global oral health policy and research methodologies.
Data-Driven Policy Development: By harmonising datasets, the research findings are expected to inform clinical guidelines and public health initiatives.
Future Directions
Following project conclusion in December 2024, the GLOBICS network will continue to expand, integrating new birth cohort studies and enhancing global research collaborations. Efforts are also underway to develop training programmes for the next generation of oral health researchers, ensuring that this vital work continues to drive improvements in oral health outcomes worldwide.
The Borrow Foundation remains committed to supporting initiatives like GLOBICS, which play a pivotal role in shaping a healthier future for children across the globe.
For more details, visit the GLOBICS website: [GLOBICS].
Sourced from https://www.ndcs.com.sg/research-innovation/karen-peres
Karen Glazer Peres
National Dental Research Institute Singapore, National Dental Centre Singapore
Oral Health ACP, Health Services and System Research Programme, Duke-NUS Medical School