Emeritus Professor Louise Jovine BREARLEY MESSER
CONTACT
E-mail: ljbm@unimelb.edu.au
Telephone: +61 3 9341 1473
QUALIFICATIONS
- BDSc, LDS, MDSc (School of Dental Science, University of Melbourne, Australia)
- PhD (Department of Nutrition, University of Minnesota, USA); FRACDS; FICD.
POSITIONS HELD
- University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (1963-68)
Lecturer, Department of Conservative Dentistry, School of Dental Science - University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA (1968-1972)
Assistant Professor and Director of Pedodontic Clinic; then Acting Chairman; then Associate Professor, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry - University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada (1972-74)
Lecturer, Department of Oral Biology, School of Dentistry - University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, USA (1974-1989)
Associate Professor and then Professor and Director of Graduate Research Program, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry; then Professor and Director, Postdoctoral Research Training Program in Dental Caries (NIH) - University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (1990-present)
Currently The Elsdon Storey Professor of Child Dental Health (with honorary appointment at Royal Childrens’ Hospital in Department of Paediatrics, Melbourne), and Director of Graduate Studies, School of Dental Science, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences; Director of Continuing Education, School of Dental Science (1996-2002)
SHORT HISTORY
After completing my postgraduate training at the University of Melbourne, I moved to the USA to join the faculty of the School of Dentistry at the University of Minnesota where I furthered my clinical and academic experience in Paediatric Dentistry and also completed the dental board examinations in the USA (National Dental Board Examination and Central Regional Dental Testing Service Examination) so that I could practice my specialty. I also completed a PhD in nutritional biochemistry. During my time at the University of Minnesota I trained and taught a large number of paediatric dentists and research higher degree students from both within the USA and from overseas countries. In 1990, I returned to Australia to take up the position as The Elsdon Storey Professor of Child Dental Health at the University of Melbourne, with associated appointments at the Royal Children’s Hospital and the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne. I am currently also Director of Graduate Studies in the School of Dental Science. I have been awarded the FICD and the FRACDS (by election).
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Prevention of dental caries via fluoride, CPP and other modalities
- Growth and development using twins as a model
- Outcomes of clinical treatment (dental materials) in children
- Evidence-based dentistry with particular reference to treatment of children
- Nutrition with reference to caries, erosion and periodontal disease in children
- Molar hypomineralisation
- Teaching and learning in dental education
CURRENT RESEARCH PROJECTS
- Prevention of dental caries via fluoride, CPP and other modalities
- Growth and development using twins as a model
- Outcomes of clinical treatment (dental materials) in children
- Evidence-based dentistry with particular reference to treatment of children
- Molar hypomineralisation
- Teaching and learning in dental education
AWARDS
- WT Smith Award for Best Teacher in the Dental School, 2004
- VWDA Award for leadership in dentistry, 2005
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS OVER LAST FIVE YEARS
- Cornwell H, Messer LB, Speed H: Use of mouthguards by basketball players in Victoria, Australia. Dental Traumatol 2003;19(4):193-203.
- Best HA, Messer LB. Effectiveness of interventions to promote continuing professional development for dentists. Eur J Dent Educ 2003;7(4):147-153.
- Tran Le Anh, Messer LB. Clinicians’ choices of restorative materials for children. Aust Dent J 2003; 48(4):221-232.
- Suwatviroj P, Messer LB, Palamara JEA. The effects of cavity preparation and lamination on bond strength and fracture of tooth-colored restorations in primary molars. Pediatr Dent 2003; 25(6):534-540.
- Ramalingam L, Messer LB, Reynolds EC. Erosion of human dental enamel by sports drinks. Synopses 2003; 27 (December):16-19.
- Best HA, Messer LB. Efficacy of interventions to promote continuing professional development for dentists. Eur J Dent Educ 2003;7:147-153.
- Young WG and Messer LB. Dietary Analysis and Advice for Patients with Tooth Wear. Multimedia product and associated workbook (94 pages). Dentil Pty Limited, Knowledge Books and Software Inc, Brisbane, Australia. Dentil Continuing Education Vol 2, set 3, 2004.
- Suwatviroj P, Messer LB, Palamara J: Microtensile bond strength of tooth-colored materials to primary dentin. Pediatr Dent 2004;26(1):67-74.
- Ramalingam L and Messer LB. Early Childhood Caries: An Update. Singapore Dent J 2004; 26(1):21-9.
- Loh A, O’Hoy P, Tran X, Charles R, Hughes A, Kubo K, Messer LB. Evidence-based assessment: Evaluation of the formocresol versus ferric sulfate primary molar pulpotomy. Pediatr Dent 2004;26 (5):401-409. This paper was reviewed very favourably in Evidence-Based Dentistry 2005; 6:70.
- Ramalingam L, Messer LB, Reynolds EC. Adding Casein Phosphopeptide-amorphous Calcium Phosphate to Sports Drink to Eliminate in vitro Erosion. Pediatr Dent 2005;27:61-67.
- Messer LB. Getting the fluoride balance right: Children in long term fluoridated communities. Synopses 2005;30:7-10. Reprinted in Aust Dental Therapy J, June 2005; 8-13.
- Sirimaharaj V, Olsen C, Messer LB. Dens evaginatus: A literature review and a case report of multiple dens evaginatus on molars and premolars. Chiangmai Dental Journal 2005;26:105-119.
- William V, Burrow MF, Palamara JEA, Messer LB. Microshear bond strength of resin composite to teeth affected by molar hypomineralisation using two adhesive systems. Pediatr Dent 2006;28:233-241.
- William V, Messer LB, Burrow MF. Molar incisor hypomineralisation: Review and recommendations for clinical management. Pediatr Dent 2006;28:224-232.
- Townsend G, Richards L, Messer L, Hughes T, Pinkerton S, Seow K, Gotjamanos T, Gully N, Bockmann M. Genetic and environmental influences on dentofacial structures and oral health: Studies of Australian twins and their families. Twin Research and Human Genetics 2006; 9(6):727-732.
NHMRC GRANTS
- With G Townsend and others: Study of Faces of Australian Twins (2000-2005)
- With G Townsend and others: Study of Emergence of Teeth (2004-2008)
LINKS WITH INDUSTRY/CONSULTANCIES
- GC Corporation
- 3M ESPE
- Trollplast
MEMBERSHIPS
- Australian Dental Association
- International Association for Dental Research
- American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry
- Australasian Academy of Paediatric Dentistry
- Australian Nutrition Foundation
TEACHING INTERESTS
- Paediatric dentistry
- Research training of graduate students
- Nutrition
- Teaching and learning in dental education