Richard Watt

Prof Richard Watt is Chair of Dental Public Health at University College London's Epidemiology & Public Health department. He concurrently serves as Director of the WHO Collaborating Centre for Oral Health Inequalities and Public Health, Co-lead of the Lancet Commission on Oral Health, and Honorary Consultant in Dental Public Health at CNWL NHS Foundation Trust. His academic journey includes a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Edinburgh (1984) and a Master of Science from the University of London (1989).

His research focuses on oral health equity, intersectoral collaboration, and upstream interventions addressing systemic health issues. Key themes include oral health in aging populations, HIV testing integration in dental settings, and the sociopolitical drivers of oral health disparities. His work spans global health advocacy, with particular attention to low-income regions and marginalized communities.

Recent research highlights include feasibility studies on oral health improvements in care homes, multilevel analyses of socioeconomic inequalities, and qualitative investigations into health access barriers for disadvantaged groups. He has contributed to high-impact policy frameworks such as the Lancet Oral Health Series and WHO global strategies.

• Advocacy Activities: Leadership in international oral health reform initiatives
• Labs/Teams: WHO Collaborating Centre, Lancet Oral Health Commission
• Key Locations: London, UK (primary base) with global research partnerships