Eleanor Parker

Associate Professor Eleanor Parker is an Associate Professor at the Adelaide Dental School within the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences at the University of Adelaide. With over 20 years of service, she holds leadership roles including Deputy Head of School, Chair of the Learning and Teaching Committee, and Deputy Director (Education) of the Indigenous Oral Health Unit (part of the Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health). Her work focuses on improving oral health for disadvantaged groups, particularly Indigenous communities and rural populations.

• Education: Background in dentistry and education, though specific degrees are not detailed in the text.

Research Interests: Eleanor's research emphasizes enhancing oral health equity through community-based interventions, curriculum development, and addressing systemic barriers faced by marginalized populations. She has led projects like the Early Childhood Caries Intervention and established the first dental service at the Port Augusta Aboriginal community's Pika Wiya health service (2001–2006). Her work integrates teaching and research to foster culturally responsive healthcare practices among dental students.

Grants and Funding:

• Australia Dental Foundation (ADAF) Community Service Grants (2018–2019)
• NHMRC Grant ($548,250, 2009)
• International Collaboration for Indigenous Health Research Partnerships (ICIHRP) Grant ($1.39M, 2010)
• Teaching Development Grant (2019)

Awards: In 2024, she received the University of Adelaide Award for Outstanding Achievement for Leadership, recognizing her contributions to education, research, and institutional leadership.

Teaching Roles: Coordinates the First Year Bachelor of Dental Surgery program and the Indigenous Health and Cultural Safety Curriculum. She actively involves students in Indigenous oral health research and clinical placements.

Labs/Teams: Part of the Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health (ARCPOH) and the Indigenous Oral Health Research Unit, collaborating on initiatives to reduce health inequities.