Professor Kevin O'Brien
Professor of Orthodontics/Associate Dean Teaching and Learning
- Email: Kevin.O'Brien@manchester.ac.uk
- Telephone: +44 (0)161 275 6792
- Alternative Telephone: +44 (0) 161 275 6620
- Fax: +44 (0) 161 275 6794
Role
Research
Kevin's main research interests are to improve the care of children with severe orthodontic problems. His recent work has included studies into the the primary/secondary care interface and clinical trials of orthodontic treatment methods. He has obtained £2.0million in external research funding mostly from the MRC and NHS R&D. His recent work on the effectiveness of early orthodontic treatment for children with very prominent upper front teeth has helped to change practice across the world. He is committed to both teaching and research.
Postgraduate Research Kevin has supervised 4 PhD and many Masters projects to completion. He currently has four doctoral students studying new methods of measuring 3 dimensional movement of teeth, and trials of the effectiveness of new functional appliances, mini screw anchorage and self-ligating brackets. Kevin welcomes enquiries from students wishing to study for PhD degrees
Methodological Knowledge
He has knowledge of running complex multi centre randomised trials, development of outcome measures that reflect consumer values and general orthodontic focussed health services research.
Teaching
Biography
Kevin O'Brien trained as a dentist at Manchester and qualified in 1979 and worked for four years in general dental practice in Middleton and Chorlton. He then returned to the hospital service and trained as an Orthodontist in Manchester. He then returned to Manchester and completed the Manchester orthodontic specialty training programme in 1986. Following this he was appointed as a Medical Research Council Research Fellow and carried out a Ph.D research programme into the effectiveness of orthodontic treatment. In 1991 he spent a sabbatical year in Pittsburgh USA as associate professor. He was made Professor of Orthodontics in November 1995. He was Head of the School of Dentistry from 2004-2007 and was made Faculty Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching in 2007.
Collaborators and affiliated staff
- Professor K Vig, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio
- Professor T Wheeler, University of Florida, Gainsville, Florida
- Professor KFC Tulloch, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
- Professor R Weyant, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Selected publications
2004
- Banks P, Wright JL, O'Brien K. (2004) Incremental versus maximum bite advancement during twin-block therapy: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop, 126( 5), 583-8. Full text doi:10.1016/j.ajodo.2004.03.024 further details
2003
- Can S, Macfarlane TV, O'Brien K. (2003) The use of postal reminders to reduce non-attendance at an orthodontic clinic: a randomised controlled trial. Br Dent J, 195( 4), 199-201; discussion. further details
- O'Brien, K, Wright, JL, Conboy, FM, Chadwick, S, Connolly, I, Cook, P, Birnie, D, Hammond, M, Harradine, N, Lewis, D, McDade, C, Mitchell, L, Murray, A, O'Neill, J, Read, M, Robinson, S, Roberts-Harry, D, Sandler, J, Shaw, I, Berk, N. (2003) Effectiveness of early orthodontic treatment with the Twin-block appliance: a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial. Part 2: Psychosocial effects. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop, 124( 5), 488-94; discussion 4. Full text doi:10.1016/j.ajodo.2003.06.001 further details
- O'Brien, K, Wright, JL, Conboy, FM, Sanjie, Y, Mandall, NA, Chadwick, S, Connolly, I, Cook, P, Birnie, D, Hammond, M, Harradine, N, Lewis, D, McDade, C, Mitchell, L, Murray, A, O'Neill, J, Read, M, Robinson, S, Roberts-Harry, D, Sandler, J, Shaw, I. (2003) Effectiveness of early orthodontic treatment with the Twin-block appliance: a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial. Part 1: Dental and skeletal effects. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop, 124( 3), 234-43; quiz 339. Full text doi:10.1016/S0889-5406(03)00352-4 further details
- O'Brien, K, Wright, JL, Conboy, FM, Sanjie, Y, Mandall, NA, Chadwick, S, Connolly, I, Cook, P, Birnie, D, Hammond, M, Harradine, N, Lewis, D, McDade, C, Mitchell, L, Murray, A, O'Neill, J, Read, M, Robinson, S, Roberts-Harry, D, Sandler, J, Shaw, I. (2003) Effectiveness of treatment for Class II malocclusion with the Herbst or twin-block appliances: a randomized, controlled trial. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop, 124( 2), 128-37. Full text doi:10.1016/S0889-5406(03)00345-7 further details