Dr Martha Paisi
Profiles

Dr Martha Paisi

Senior Research Fellow in Public Health

School of Nursing and Midwifery (Faculty of Health)

Dr Martha Paisi can be contacted through arrangement with our Press Office, to speak to the media on these areas of expertise.
  • Health inequalities
  • Public health
  • Health services
  • Epidemiology
  • Mixed-methods
  • Systematic reviews
Biography

Biography

Senior Research Fellow, School and Nursing and Midwifery
Research Lead, Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise
Research interests
  • Health inequities
  • Health promotion and access to care for vulnerable groups (people experiencing severe and multiple disadvantage/homelessness, asylum seekers and refugees, children and young people with additional needs)
  • Integrated and trauma-informed care
Teaching
Academic tutor - Year 2 Inter-professional Engagement Module (Peninsula Dental School)
Qualifications
PhD - Public Health Dentistry, University of Plymouth
Associate HEA Fellowship in Teaching, University of Plymouth
MMedSci - Human Nutrition, University of Sheffield
MEd - Physical Education, Semmelweis University
Memberships
Academic honorary contract with Public Health England (PHE)
Cochrane Member
Martha Paisi is a Senior Research Fellow in Public Health at the School of Nursing and Midwifery and the Research Lead at Peninsula Dental Social Enterprise (PDSE). She is also an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at Peninsula Dental School. In addition, she holds an honorary academic contract with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (previously known as Public Health England).
Martha leads  inclusion oral health and health equity research. Her work focuses on understanding and tackling the social determinants of health to improve oral health behaviours, provision of care and, access to services for vulnerable groups. These include but are not limited to people experiencing severe and multiple disadvantage (i.e. homelessness, substance misuse and repeat offending), asylum seekers and refugees, autistic children and adolescents, and care-experienced children and young people. 
For the last five years, Martha has also been involved in supporting the undergraduate Interprofessional Engagement module and postgraduate MSc research modules at the Faculty of Health. Martha is currently supervising various PhD and postdoc research projects.
Martha is a strong advocate of inclusive and multidisciplinary health services and interventions. She is passionate about improving population health, reducing health inequity and ensuring that research findings inform education, policy and practice. Martha’s work has facilitated the development of novel dental care pathways for vulnerable groups. 
Research

Research

Publications

Publications

Key publications

Key publications are highlighted

Journals
Articles
Erwin J, Burns L, Devalia U, Witton R, Shawe J, Wheat H, Axford N, Doughty J, Nelder A & Brocklehurst P (2024) 'Co‐production of health and social science research with vulnerable children and young people: A rapid review' Health Expectations 27, (2) , DOI Open access
Booth J, Erwin J, Burns L, Axford N, Horrell J, Wheat H, Witton R, Shawe J, Doughty J & Kaddour S (2024) 'A Scoping Review of the Oral Health Status, Oral Health Behaviours and Interventions to Improve the Oral Health of Children and Young People in Care and Care Leavers' Dentistry Journal 12, (2) 38-38 , DOI Open access
Erwin J, Horrell J, Wheat H, Axford N, Burns L, Booth J, Witton R, Shawe J, Doughty J & Kaddour S (2024) 'Access to Dental Care for Children and Young People in Care and Care Leavers: A Global Scoping Review' Dentistry Journal 12, (2) Publisher Site , DOI Open access
Paisi M, Booth J & Doughty J (2024) 'What is the evidence on the effectiveness of strategies to integrate oral health into primary care?' Evidence-Based Dentistry , DOI
John DA, Adams EA, McGowan LJ, Joyes EC, Richmond C, Beyer FR, Landes D, Watt RG, Sniehotta FF & Paisi M (2024) 'Factors influencing implementation and sustainability of interventions to improve oral health and related health behaviours in adults experiencing severe and multiple disadvantage: a mixed-methods systematic review' BMJ Open 14, (1) e080160-e080160 , DOI
Doughty J, M. Gallier S, Paisi M, Witton R & J. Daley A (2023) 'Opportunistic health screening for cardiovascular and diabetes risk factors in primary care dental practices: experiences from a service evaluation and a call to action' British Dental Journal 235, (9) 727-733 , DOI Open access
John DA, McGowan LJ, Kenny RPW, Joyes EC, Adams EA, Shabaninejad H, Richmond C, Beyer F, Landes D & Watt RG (2023) 'Interventions to improve oral health and related health behaviours of substance use, smoking, and diet in people with severe and multiple disadvantage: a systematic review of effectiveness and cost-effectiveness' The Lancet 402, S58-S58 , DOI
Currie J, McWilliams L, Venkataraman V, Paisi M, Shawe J, Thornton A, Larkin M, Taylor J & Middleton S (2023) 'Nurses’ perceptions on the skills, knowledge, and attributes required to provide healthcare to people experiencing homelessness in Australia: A qualitative study' Collegian 30, (4) 539-547 , DOI
Currie J, McWilliams L, Paisi M, Shawe J, Thornton A, Larkin M, Taylor J & Middleton S (2023) 'Nurses’ perceptions of the skills, knowledge and attributes required to optimise scope of practice and improve access to care for people experiencing homelessness in Australia: A cross-sectional study' Collegian 30, (4) 586-594 , DOI Open access
Paisi M, Withers L, Erwin J, Horrell J, Witton R, Shawe J & Byng R (2023) 'Embedding health and wellbeing opportunities for people experiencing homelessness in a wider support system' Perspectives in Public Health 143, (3) 126-128 , DOI Open access
Venner S, Erwin J, Witton R & Paisi M (2023) 'A partnership between occupational therapy and dentistry' British Dental Journal 234, (6) 360-360 , DOI Open access
Paisi M, Allen Z & Shawe J (2023) 'New Home, New You: A retrospective mixed‐methods evaluation of a health‐related behavioural intervention programme supporting social housing tenants' Health Expectations , DOI Open access
Plessas A, Paisi M, Bryce M, Burns L, O’Brien T, Hanoch Y & Witton R (2022) 'Mental health and wellbeing interventions in the dental sector: a systematic review' Evidence-Based Dentistry , DOI Open access
McColl E, Paisi M, Plessas A, Ellwood F & Witton R (2022) 'An individual-level approach to stress management in dentistry' BDJ Team 9, (10) 13-16 , DOI Open access
Plessas A, Witton R, Paisi M, Ellwood F & McColl E (2022) 'Using the Mental Health Wellness Framework in dental practice' BDJ Team 9, (10) 10-12 , DOI Open access
Paisi M, Wheat H, Horrell J, Jebur A, Witton R & Radford P (2022) 'Interpretation is key' British Dental Journal 233, (6) 442-442 , DOI Open access
Kumbargere Nagraj S, Eachempati P, Paisi M, Nasser M, Sivaramakrishnan G, Francis T & Verbeek JH (2022) 'Preprocedural mouth rinses for preventing transmission of infectious diseases through aerosols in dental healthcare providers' Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2022, (8) , DOI Open access
McWilliams L, Paisi M, Middleton S, Shawe J, Thornton A, Larkin M, Taylor J & Currie J (2022) 'Scoping review: Scope of practice of nurse‐led services and access to care for people experiencing homelessness' Journal of Advanced Nursing , DOI Open access
Doughty J, Grossman A, Paisi M, Tran C, Rodriguez A, Arora G, Kaddour S, Muirhead V & Newton T (2022) 'A survey of dental services in England providing targeted care for people experiencing social exclusion: mapping and dimensions of access' British Dental Journal , DOI
Erwin J, Paisi M, Neill S, Burns L, Vassallo I, Nelder A, Facenfield J, Devalia U, Vassallo T & Witton R (2022) 'Factors influencing oral health behaviours, access and delivery of dental care for autistic children and adolescents: A mixed‐methods systematic review' Health Expectations , DOI Open access
Paisi M, Baines R, Wheat H, Doughty J, Kaddour S, Radford PJ, Stylianou E, Shawe J & Witton R (2022) 'Factors affecting oral health care for asylum seekers and refugees in England: a qualitative study of key stakeholders' perspectives and experiences' British Dental Journal , DOI Open access
Plessas A, Paisi M, Baines R, Wheat H, Delgado MB, Mills I & Witton R (2022) 'Working in an urgent dental care hub during the Covid-19 pandemic from a dental nurses' perspective' Dental Nursing 18, (2) 68-70 , DOI Open access
Witton R & Paisi M (2022) 'Improving access to oral healthcare for people experiencing homelessness is good for public health' Perspectives in Public Health 142, (1) 10-12 , DOI Open access
Hoefer A, Pampaka D, Castrillejo D, Luengo-Cabrera J, Paisi M, Herrera-León S, López-Perea N & Diego-Salas JD (2021) 'Considerations for COVID-19 management in reception centers for refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants, Spain 2020' International Journal of Infectious Diseases 116, 108-110 , DOI Open access
Paisi M, Crombag N, Burns L, Bogaerts A, Withers L, Bates L, Crowley D, Witton R & Shawe J (2021) 'Barriers and facilitators to hepatitis C screening and treatment for people with lived experience of homelessness: A mixed‐methods systematic review' Health Expectations , DOI Open access
Neill S, Erwin J, Paisi M, Witton R, Burns L, Vassallo I, Nelder A, Facenfield J, Devalia U & Vassallo T (2021) 'Factors Influencing Oral Health Behaviours, Access and Provision of Dental Care for Autistic Children and Adolescents in Countries with a Very High Human Development Index: Protocol for a Mixed Methods Systematic Review' International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, (23) , DOI Open access
Joyes EC, McGowan LJ, Adams EA, Paisi M, Burrows M, Shabaninejad H, Beyer F, Haddow K, Coyte A & Landes D (2021) 'Exploring Interventions to Improve the Oral Health and Related Health Behaviours of Adults Experiencing Severe and Multiple Disadvantage: Protocol for a Qualitative Study with Stakeholders' International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, (22) , DOI Open access
McGowan LJ, Joyes EC, Adams EA, Coyte A, Gavin R, Richmond C, Shabaninejad H, Beyer F, Broadbridge A & Dobson K (2021) 'Investigating the Effectiveness and Acceptability of Oral Health and Related Health Behaviour Interventions in Adults with Severe and Multiple Disadvantage: Protocol for a Mixed-Methods Systematic Review' International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, (21) , DOI Open access
McGregor F, Paisi M, Robinson A & Shawe J (2021) 'Improving the sexual health of young people experiencing homelessness' British Journal of Community Nursing 26, (11) 560-566 , DOI
Witton R & Paisi M (2021) 'Dental care for homeless persons: Time for National Health Service reform' Public Health in Practice 2, , DOI Open access
Witton R, Plessas A, Wheat H, Baines R, Delgado MB, Mills I & Paisi M (2021) 'The future of dentistry post-COVID-19: perspectives from Urgent Dental Care centre staff in England' British Dental Journal (BDJ) , DOI Open access
Plessas A, Paisi M, Baines R, Wheat H, Delgado MB, Mills I & Witton R (2021) 'Frontline experiences and perceptions of Urgent Dental Care centre staff in England during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study' British Dental Journal (BDJ) , DOI Open access
Witton R & Paisi M (2021) 'The benefits of an innovative community engagement model in dental undergraduate education' Education for Primary Care 1-5 , DOI Open access
Paisi M, Witton R & Plessas A (2021) 'Is there an association between drug use and oral health conditions?' Evidence-Based Dentistry 22, (1) 46-47 , DOI Open access
Paisi M, Witton R, Radford P & Plessas A (2021) 'What is the global prevalence of dental healthcare needs and unmet dental needs among adolescents?' Evidence-Based Dentistry 22, (1) 8-9 , DOI Open access
Kumbargere Nagraj S, Eachempati P, Paisi M, Nasser M, Sivaramakrishnan G, Verbeek JH & Francis T (2020) 'Preprocedural mouth rinses for preventing transmission of infectious diseases through aerosols in dental healthcare providers' Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews , DOI
Plessas A & Paisi M (2020) 'Is there an association between oral health-related quality of life and Alzheimer's disease?' Evidence-Based Dentistry 21, (4) 124-125 , DOI Open access
Kumbargere Nagraj S, Eachempati P, Paisi M, Nasser M, Sivaramakrishnan G & Verbeek JH (2020) 'Interventi per ridurre l’aerosol contaminato prodotto durante le procedure odontoiatriche al fine di prevenire malattie infettive: una revisione Cochrane' Dental Cadmos 88, (10) 656-656 , DOI
Paisi M, Baines R, Burns L, Plessas A, Radford P, Shawe J & Witton R (2020) 'Barriers and facilitators to dental care access among asylum seekers and refugees in highly developed countries: a systematic review' BMC Oral Health 20, (1) , DOI Open access
Paisi M, March-McDonald J, Burns L, Snelgrove-Clarke E, Withers L & Shawe J (2020) 'Perceived barriers and facilitators to accessing and utilising sexual and reproductive healthcare for people who experience homelessness: a systematic review' BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health , DOI Open access
Kumbargere Nagraj S, Eachempati P, Paisi M, Nasser M, Sivaramakrishnan G & Verbeek JH (2020) 'Interventions to reduce contaminated aerosols produced during dental procedures for preventing infectious diseases' Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 0, (10) 0-0 , DOI Open access
Witton R & Paisi M (2020) 'Homelessness on the curriculum?' British Dental Journal 229, (8) 501-501 , DOI Open access
Paisi M, Witton R, Withers L, Plessas A, Burrows M, Morrison S, McDonald L & Kay E (2020) 'Strategies to improve oral health behaviours and dental access for people experiencing homelessness: a qualitative study' British Dental Journal , DOI Open access
Paisi M, Baines R, Worle C, Withers L & Witton R (2020) 'Evaluation of a community dental clinic providing care to people experiencing homelessness: A mixed methods approach' Health Expectations , DOI Open access
Kumbargere Nagraj S, Eachempati P, Paisi M, Nasser M, Sivaramakrishnan G & Verbeek JH (2020) 'Interventions to reduce contaminated aerosols produced during dental procedures for preventing infectious diseases' Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews , DOI Open access
Paisi M, Plessas A, Pampaka D, Burns L & Wilton R (2020) 'Effect of treating carious teeth on children's and adolescents' anthropometric outcomes: A systematic review of randomised controlled trials' COMMUNITY DENTAL HEALTH 37, (1) 32-38 Author Site , DOI Open access
Paisi M, Witton R & Plessas A (2020) 'Is there an association between children's screen use and cariogenic diet?' BDJ Team 7, (2) 28-29 , DOI Open access
Ahmed A, Bannerman N-L, Paisi M, Witton R & Potterton R (2020) 'A Dental Student Perspective on the Impacts of an Inter-professional Engagement Module' Journal of Community Engagement and Scholarship 13, (1) , DOI Open access
Paisi M, Witton R & Plessas A (2019) 'Is there an association between children's screen use and cariogenic diet?' Evidence-Based Dentistry 20, (4) 115-116 , DOI Open access
Paisi M, Kay E, Burrows M, Withers L, Plessas A, McDonald L & Witton R (2019) ''Teeth Matter': engaging people experiencing homelessness with oral health promotion efforts' British Dental Journal 227, (3) 187-191 , DOI Open access
Webb L, Sandhu S, Morton L, Witton R, Withers L, Worle C & Paisi M (2019) 'A dental student view on learning gained through Inter-Professional Engagement with people experiencing homelessness' Education for Primary Care 1-3 , DOI Open access
Paisi M, Witton R, Burrows M, Allen Z, Plessas A, Withers L, McDonald L & Kay E (2019) 'Management of plaque in people experiencing homelessness using 'peer education': a pilot study' British Dental Journal 1-7 , DOI Open access
Paisi M, Kay E, Bennett C, Kaimi I, Witton R, Nelder R & Lapthorne D (2019) 'Body mass index and dental caries in young people: a systematic review' BMC Pediatrics 19, (1) , DOI Open access
Paisi M, Kay E, Plessas A, Burns L, Quinn C, Brennan N & White S (2019) 'Barriers and enablers to accessing dental services for people experiencing homelessness: A systematic review' Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology Author Site , DOI Open access
Paisi M, Kay E, Kaimi I, Witton R, Nelder R, Christophi C & Lapthorne D (2018) 'Obesity and dental caries in young children in Plymouth, United Kingdom: A Spatial Analysis' COMMUNITY DENTAL HEALTH 35, (1) 58-64 Author Site , DOI Open access
Paisi M, Kay E, Kaimi I, Witton R, Nelder R, Potterton R & Lapthorne D (2018) 'Obesity and caries in four-to-six year old English children: a cross-sectional study' BMC Public Health 18, (1) , DOI Open access
Christophi CA, Pampaka D, Paisi M, Ioannou S & DiFranza JR (2016) 'Levels of physical dependence on tobacco among adolescent smokers in Cyprus' Addictive Behaviors 60, 148-153 , DOI Open access
Savvides ECG, Christophi CA, Paisi M, Pampaka D, Kinnunen T & Connolly GN (2013) 'Factors associated with intent to quit tobacco use in Cyprus adolescents' Preventive Medicine 60, 83-87 , DOI
Christophi CA, Paisi M, Pampaka D, Kehagias M, Vardavas C & Connolly GN (2013) 'The impact of the Cyprus comprehensive smoking ban on air quality and economic business of hospitality venues' BMC Public Health 13, (1) , DOI
Makris KC, Christophi CA, Paisi M & Ettinger AS (2012) 'A preliminary assessment of low level arsenic exposure and diabetes mellitus in Cyprus' BMC Public Health 12, (1) , DOI
Sleap M, Elliott B, Paisi M & Reed H (2007) 'The Lifestyles of Affluent Young People Ages 9 to 15 Years: A Case Study' Journal of Physical Activity and Health 4, (4) 460-469 , DOI
Nakano E, Taiwo FA, Nugent D, Griffiths HR, Aldred S, Paisi M, Kwok M, Bhatt P, Hill MHE & Moat S (2004) 'Downstream effects on human low density lipoprotein of homocysteine exported from endothelial cells in an in vitro system' Journal of Lipid Research 46, (3) 484-493 , DOI
Conference Papers
Jain N, Adams EA, Joyes EC, Burrows M, Paisi M, McGowan LJ, Watt R, Bambra C, Kaner E & Ramsay SE (2023) 'Accessing health and health behaviour interventions by people with severe and multiple disadvantage' Oxford University Press (OUP) Publisher Site , DOI
Makris KC, Christophi C & Paisi M (2011) 'Low-level Arsenic Exposure in Drinking Water and Diabetes Mellitus in Cyprus: Preliminary Findings' Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) S72-S72 , DOI
Reports
Plessas A, Paisi M, Bryce M, Burns L, O'Brien T, Witton R & Hanoch Y (2021) Mental Health and Wellbeing in Dentistry: A Rapid Evidence Assessment. General Dental Council Publisher Site Open access
Presentations and posters
Jain N, Adams EA, Joyes EC, McLellan G, Burrows M, Paisi M, Ifrate L, McGowan LJ, Landes D & Watt R Jain N, Adams EA, Joyes EC, McLellan G, Burrows M, Paisi M, Ifrate L, McGowan LJ, Landes D & Watt R 'OP188 Improving access to services for oral health, substance use and smoking for people with severe and multiple disadvantage: a qualitative study' , DOI
John DA, Adams EA, McGowan LJ, Joyce E, Richmond C, Beyer F, Landes D, Watt R, Sniehotta FF & Paisi M John DA, Adams EA, McGowan LJ, Joyce E, Richmond C, Beyer F, Landes D, Watt R, Sniehotta FF & Paisi M 'OP34 Exploring factors that influence implementation and sustainability of interventions to improve oral health and related health behaviours in adults experiencing severe and multiple disadvantage: A mixed-methods systematic review' , DOI
Other Publications
(2019) Underprivileged in Plymouth receive dental care. Springer Science and Business Media LLC , DOI Open access
Personal

Personal

Additional information

Official reports
Promote Vaccinations among Migrant Populations in Europe (PROMOVAX) Consortium. A Toolkit for the Healthcare Worker. Available at: http://www.promovax.eu/toolkits/HCW_english_web.pdf
Promote Vaccinations among Migrant Populations in Europe (PROMOVAX) Consortium. Recommendation of the PROMOVAX Consortium on Migrant Vaccination. Available at: http://www.promovax.eu/pdfs/Recommendation.pdf
Promote Vaccinations among Migrant Populations in Europe (PROMOVAX) Consortium. Migrant immunization policies, legislation and practices in the hosting countries. Available at : http://www.promovax.eu/pdfs/HOSTING_COUNTRIES.pdf
Promote Vaccinations among Migrant Populations in Europe (PROMOVAX) Consortium. Migrants’ Culture and Attitude towards Immunization. Available at: http://www.promovax.eu/pdfs/COUNTRIESofORIGIN.pdf
Promotion of Immunization for Healthcare Professionals in Europe (HProImmune) Consortium. Toolkit for Physicians. Available at: http://hproimmune.eu/toolkits/files/UK/phys.html
Promotion of Immunization for Healthcare Professionals in Europe (HProImmune) Consortium. Toolkit for Nurse and Other Specialties. Available at: http://hproimmune.eu/toolkits/files/UK/pub.html
Promotion of Immunization for Healthcare Professionals in Europe (HProImmune) Consortium. Toolkit for Healthcare Administrators & Public Health Professionals. Available at: http://hproimmune.eu/toolkits/files/UK/admin.html
Promotion of Immunization for Healthcare Professionals in Europe (HProImmune) Consortium. Immunization Barriers and Enablers among Health Care Professionals: Analysis of Findings. Available at: http://www.hproimmune.eu/downloads/Barriers_to_Immunization_DRAFT_FINAL.pdf
Guidelines for the Prevention of Obesity at the Workplace (2009). Available at: http://www.enwhp.org/
EU Families and Adolescents Quit Tobacco (euFAQT) consortium. Focus group report- Summary of Findings and Country Reports (2011). Available at: http://www.eufaqt.eu/images/stories/pdf/eufaqt_focus_groups_report.pdf