David I Conway

Professor David I Conway is Professor of Dental Public Health at the University of Glasgow's School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing. He serves as Director of Dental Research and Lead of the Community Oral Health Research Group in the Dental School, and co-leads the Oral & Dental Clinical Research Specialty Group for NHS Research Scotland and the Chief Scientist Office. With over 60 peer-reviewed publications, his work focuses on head and neck cancer epidemiology, particularly socioeconomic inequalities and oral HPV.

His educational background includes a BDS from University of Glasgow (1996), FDS RCS (England) (1999), MPH from University of Glasgow (2002), and a PhD (2008) on the epidemiology of oral cancer from a socioeconomic perspective. His career progression includes clinical lectureship (2000), specialist registrar training (2000-2005), Senior Clinical Lecturer (2008), and Professor of Dental Public Health (2015).

Conway's research spans socioeconomic inequalities in health, cancer epidemiology, policy development and evaluation (including Childsmile - Scotland's national child oral health improvement program), data linkage of administrative databases, and systematic reviews. His work encompasses the entire head and neck cancer continuum from risk factors to clinical outcomes. He leads significant projects including HEADSpACE (EU Horizon 2020), CRUK-funded cancer prevention pricing interventions, and multiple studies on dental health of children with intellectual disabilities.

His 15 most recent publications (2024-2025) demonstrate consistent focus on head and neck cancer epidemiology, socioeconomic determinants of oral health, data linkage methodologies, and public health interventions. The work spans multiple disciplines including oncology, public health policy, pediatric dentistry, and health services research, with particular attention to health inequalities and methodological rigor in population studies.

Professor Conway serves as Principal Investigator on numerous major research projects including HEADSpACE, CRUK initiatives, Baily Thomas Charitable Foundation studies, and Scottish Government-funded projects. His work with NHS National Services Scotland/PHS as Honorary Consultant in Dental Public Health demonstrates strong integration between academic research and public health practice.

He leads the Community Oral Health Research Group within the Dental School and is actively involved in international collaborations including HPV-AHEAD, ARCAGE, INHANCE consortium, and Head and Neck 5000. His work bridges clinical practice, public health, and academic research, with particular emphasis on translating epidemiological findings into practical public health interventions.