2OO9 – 2O1O - Faculty of Dentistry - University of Otago

DONALD SCHWASS
BSc (Waik) BDS DClinDent (Otago)
Oral Rehabilitation
Senior Lecturer
Dr Don Schwass’s research platform is based
predominantly on developing novel treatments for dental
caries, and the validation of caries diagnostic devices used
to guide treatment decisions. He has a particular interest
in exploring the potential of micro-computed tomography
(micro-CT) to evaluate demineralisation/remineralisation
processes affecting dental hard tissues and to measure the
effectiveness of different caries removal techniques.
Current research is directed at developing silver
nanoparticles, specifically for treating dentine caries, but
with potential for much wider application. As a practising
clinician undertaking implant dentistry, he is also interested
in the potential of these antimicrobial products for
managing peri-implant disease.
Dr Schwass has a special interest in competence-based
dental education.
Research and Collaboration
Key collaboration involves ongoing work with Dr Carla
Meledandri (Chemistry Department, University of
Otago) developing micelle-stabilised silver nanoparticles.
Funding by Partnering for Innovation has allowed for
the employment of a full-time research assistant, Dr
Kerstin Scholz (Chemistry), involved in silver nanoparticle
synthesis. Dr Schwass was responsible for developing the
initial concepts and continues to direct future prototype
modifications towards a broad range of applications. In
parallel to establishing efficacious clinical outcomes for
silver nanoparticles, new insights in helping to understand
the complex chemistry associated with silver nanoparticle
entities are anticipated. This work will contribute towards
completion of a PhD (part-time) by Dr Schwass.
Dr Schwass is part of a collaboration conducting clinical
caries research, involving Dr Lyndie Foster Page, Alison
Meldrum, Professor Michael Swain, Professor W. Murray
Thomson and DMG (Germany). Specifically, this involves
a split-mouth clinical trial to evaluate resin infiltration
of non-cavitated proximal carious lesions in teeth using
ICON (a low viscosity resin; DMG, Hamburg).
He is also part of a collaboration investigating the effects
of clinically adjusting the occlusal surfaces of ceramic
materials, involving Dr Chee Chang (Sydney), Professor
Michael Swain, and Neil Waddell.
50 FACULTY OF DENTISTRY RESEARCH REPORT 2009-2010
Other collaborations involve various applications
for micro-CT; most notably with Carolina Loch Silva
(Geology), who is investigating modern and fossilised
cetacean dentitions.
He is co-supervisor and clinical tutor for a PhD student
(due for completion 2011).
Recent Publications
Schwass DR, Swain MV, Purton DG, Leichter JW. A
system of calibrating micro- tomography for use in caries
research. Caries Research 43: 314-321 (2009).