Dr Rebecca Taylor

How I’ll teach you

I teach dental biosciences which involves head and neck anatomy, infection control and dental diseases such as dental caries, periodontal disease and oral cancer. I also teach research methods to support third years through their project dissertation and further studies in dental materials where we cover biofilm formation on dental prostheses and tissue response to biomaterials.

Other academic service (administration and management)

Year Tutor for the BSc Dental Technology Year 2

Why study Dental biosciences and oral microbiology?

Undergraduate courses

I teach on each year of the BSc in dental technology.

Postgraduate teaching

I teach on each year of the STP in reconstructive science and am the unit leader for the research project.

Postgraduate supervision (completed/in progress)

Over the years I have supervised a number of MSc's (by research) and PhD's in the fields of dental technology and oral microbiology. I am currently involved in the supervision of several PhD students.

Research expertise

Characterisation of dental materials and their interactions with micro-organisms:

Fungal deterioration of denture liner materials; factors affecting the colonisation of dental materials by micro-organisms e.g. dental acrylic, alloys, porcelain and maxillofacial silicone; incorporation of anti-microbial agents into silicone.

Health and Safety issues: cross contamination implications in dental technology laboratories.

Other interests and collaboration: element release of dental alloys; development of standard procedures for the dental technician in the construction of prostheses and appliances; characterisation of dental materials, physical and chemical properties; anti-microbial efficacy of denture cleansers and mouthrinses; fluoride release from glass ionomer cements; residual monomer content of dental acrylic; tooth erosion by soft drinks; effect of bleaching agents on teeth; mouthguard design, dimensional accuracy and surface quality of impression materials following disinfection.

Publications

• Journal articles

  NA. Hickey, KA. Whitehead, L. Shalamanova, JA. Butler, RL. Taylor (2019). A novel microbiological medium for the growth of periodontitis associated pathogens. Journal of Microbiological Methods. 163, pp.105647-105647.

  MA. Kinninmonth, CM. Liauw, J. Verran, R. Taylor, V. Edwards-Jones, et al. D. Shaw, M. Webb. (2013). Investigation into the suitability of layered silicates as adsorption media for essential oils using FTIR and GC–MS. Applied Clay Science. 83-84, pp.415-425.

  MA. Kinninmonth, CM. Liauw, J. Verran, R. Taylor, V. Edwards-Jones, et al. D. Shaw, M. Webb. (2013). Investigation into the suitability of layered silicates as adsorption media for essential oils using FTIR and GC-MS. Applied Clay Science.

  T. Farrington, G. Onambele-Pearson, RL. Taylor, P. Earl, K. Winwood (2012). A review of facial protective equipment use in sport and the impact on injury incidence. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 50(3), pp.233-238.

  CM. Liauw, RL. Taylor, C. Maryan, R. Kato, AN. Wilkinson, et al. O. Cheerarot. (2011). Organo-montmorillonite as a controlled release reservoir for triclosan in silicone elastomer: A flow micro-calorimetry and leaching study. Macromolecular Symposia. 301(1), pp.96-103.

  SB. Jones, RL. Taylor, JS. Colligon, D. Johnson (2010). Effect of element concentration on nickel release from dental alloys using a novel ion beam method. Dent Mater. 26(3), pp.249-256.

  G. Rodger, RL. Taylor, GJ. Pearson, J. Verran (2010). In vitro colonization of an experimental silicone by Candida albicans. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater. 92(1), pp.226-235.

  RL. Taylor, K. Bulad, J. Verran, JF. McCord (2008). Colonization and deterioration of soft denture lining materials in vivo. Eur J Prosthodont Restor Dent. 16(2), pp.50-55.

  CL. Price, DW. Williams, MGJ. Waters, L. Coulthwaite, J. Verran, et al. RL. Taylor, D. Stickler, MAO. Lewis. (2005). Reduced adherence of Candida to silane-treated silicone rubber. J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater. 74(1), pp.481-487.

  J. Verran, JF. McCord, C. Maryan, RL. Taylor (2004). Microbiological hazard analysis in dental technology laboratories. Eur J Prosthodont Restor Dent. 12(3), pp.115-120.

  K. Bulad, RL. Taylor, J. Verran, JF. McCord (2004). Colonization and penetration of denture soft lining materials by Candida albicans. Dent Mater. 20(2), pp.167-175.

  RL. Taylor, CM. Liauw, C. Maryan (2003). The effect of resin/crosslinker ratio on the mechanical properties and fungal deterioration of a maxillofacial silicone elastomer. J Mater Sci Mater Med. 14(6), pp.497-502.

  RL. Taylor, PS. Wright, C. Maryan (2002). Disinfection procedures: their effect on the dimensional accuracy and surface quality of irreversible hydrocolloid impression materials and gypsum casts. Dent Mater. 18(2), pp.103-110.

  RL. Taylor (2000). Biodeterioration of medical grade silicone rubber by Candida albicans. JOURNAL OF DENTAL RESEARCH. 79(5), pp.1201-1201.

  J. Verran, T. Sharlott, C. Maryan, RL. Taylor (1999). Microbiological hazard analysis in dental technology laboratories. JOURNAL OF DENTAL RESEARCH. 78(5), pp.1039-1039.

  R. Taylor, C. Maryan, J. Verran (1998). Retention of oral microorganisms on cobalt-chromium alloy and dental acrylic resin with different surface finishes. J Prosthet Dent. 80(5), pp.592-597.

  RL. Taylor, MD. Willcox, TJ. Williams, J. Verran (1998). Modulation of bacterial adhesion to hydrogel contact lenses by albumin. Optom Vis Sci. 75(1), pp.23-29.

  RL. Taylor, J. Verran, GC. Lees, AJ. Ward (1998). The influence of substratum topography on bacterial adhesion to polymethyl methacrylate. J Mater Sci Mater Med. 9(1), pp.17-22.

  RL. Taylor, C. Maryan, J. Verran (1997). Retention of micro-organisms on dental materials with differing surface topography. JOURNAL OF DENTAL RESEARCH. 76(5), pp.1076-1076.

  J. Verran, RL. Taylor, GC. Lees (1996). Bacterial adhesion to inert thermoplastic surfaces. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine. 7(10), pp.597-601.

  J. Verran, R. Taylor, NSJ. Christopher, JS. Robinson (1995). Comments on the routine testing of water samples for Legionella sp. Water Research. 29(6), pp.1595-1598.

  J. VERRAN, RL. TAYLOR, GC. LEES (1994). THE USE OF IMAGE-ANALYSIS TO QUANTIFY MICROORGANISMS ADHERENT ON SURFACES. BINARY-COMPUTING IN MICROBIOLOGY. 6(2), pp.55-57.

• Conferences

  JS. Colligon, D. Johnson, SB. Jones, RL. Taylor (2003). Release of nickel from nickel-chromium alloys. In: JOURNAL OF DENTAL RESEARCH. Cardiff, WALES, 18/9/2002. pp.579-579.

Consultancy and advisory roles

I have for the last decade been an invited speaker at various dental meetings and conferences on the subject of infection control in the dental laboratory. This topic is a core continuous professional development area for the General Dental Council and the talks are attended by dental technicians, clinical dental technicians, reconstructive scientists and dental nurses:

Infection Prevention Society conference, Harrogate (September 2016)

International Orthodontic Conference, London (September 2015)

British Institute of Dental and Surgical Technologists, Preston (June 2015)

Infection Prevention Society conference, Glasgow (September 2014)

British Association of Clinical Dental Technicians, Manchester (September 2014)

Bristol Dental Hospital (March 2014)

Clinical Dental Technicans Expo, Nottingham (May 2013)

NW Dental Deanery, Haydock Park (March 2013)

University of Central Lancashire, Clinical Dental Technology course, Preston (October 2012)

Dental Laboratories Association (Prosthetics) Belfast (November 2012)

Dental Laboratories Association (Crown and Bridge) Belfast (November 2012)

British Orthodontic Conference, Brighton (September 2010)

Institute of Maxillofacial Prosthetists and Technologists, Manchester (September 2010)

School of Dentistry and Oral Health, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Queensland, Australia (March, 2010)

Editorial board membership

Editorial board member for Quintessence Journal of Dental Technology (up to 2009)