ORCID

Abstract

Setting research priorities is a key component of an effective research system. Stakeholder involvement, both formal and informal, is crucial in this process. Only few studies focus on the challenges of engaging diverse populations, particularly those from different ethnic and linguistic backgrounds, or how their values and priorities may align or differ.In Malaysia, a multiethnic and multilingual country, significant oral health disparities have been reported across ethnic groups. For example, the Malaysian National Oral Health Survey (2017) documented a higher prevalence of dental caries among Chinese children (30.7%), the highest oral cancer rates among Indians (46.2%), and the lowest prevalence of oral cancer among Malays (14.7%). These disparities are influenced by various environmental, societal, and lifestyle factors, which differ across communities with distinct priorities, ethnicities, cultural contexts, and socioeconomic conditions. Disparities may stem from differences in access to healthcare, oral health priorities, health behaviours, or beliefs. In my twelve years of dental practice in Malaysia, I have witnessed the substantial impact of local cultural contexts on oral health outcomes.Recognising the importance of inclusive research priority setting (RPS), my thesis explores the role of ethnicity and the involvement of diverse linguistic groups in establishing oral health priorities. Given the diverse underlying lifestyle and contextual factors across communities, it is crucial to implement methods that facilitate their meaningful participation. Furthermore, understanding how these differences shape individuals' priorities and values is vital for equitable research.This PhD research investigates the similarities and differences in oral health research priorities between dentists and adult community members from various ethnic backgrounds in Malaysia. It highlights how the values and beliefs of these groups influence the RPS process, stakeholder engagement, and research topics. Through semi-structured qualitative interviews and focus group discussions conducted in participants' native languages, with the aid of translators, I gained valuable insights.I introduce a novel three-step approach to translate the ideas and insights shared by RPS participants into actionable research questions. To enhance transparency, I propose making the full list of identified research questions available in open-access data repositories.The findings of this research reveal both commonalities and differences in research priorities between dentists and community members, as well as within ethnic groups themselves. Based on these observations, I developed a toolkit to facilitate multiethnic stakeholder engagement in RPS exercises. I recommend modifying the existing 'equity lens' guidance to incorporate this toolkit. Adopting this approach in future RPS initiatives can reshape research priorities, improve health services, and ultimately reduce health disparities, leading to better oral and general health outcomes across diverse ethnic groups.

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Date

2025

Embargo Period

2025-02-11

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

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