Moira's research focuses on the broad determinants of health, gathering evidence to inform policy and (in turn) create supportive environments. Key areas of research interest include children's health, especially addressing harm from unhealthy food environments, alcohol and gambling, and oral health, particularly older people's oral health and addressing inequities in oral health in Aotearoa. Her research uses qualitative research methods, policy research and mixed method designs.
Moira was a named investigator on Kids'Cam, an innovative research project that used wearable cameras to study the world children live in, and is currently co-leading Kids Online Aotearoa, which studies children's online worlds, their engagement with it and its impact on their health and wellbeing. Moira leads a team investigating the feasibility of incorporating oral health care in aged care and is a named investigator in AWESSoM: Ageing Well through Eating, Sleeping, Socialising and Mobility, funded by the Ageing Well National Science Challenge.
Moira is an associate member of the Sir John Walsh Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Otago, Dunedin, Chair of the NZ Oral Health Clinical Advisory Network and Associate Editor of Gerodontology. She has supervised seven MPH and three doctoral students to completion, and is currently involved in the supervision of two MPH and five doctoral students.
Bakri, N. N., Smith, M. B., Broadbent, J. M., & Thomson, W. M. (2023, July).
Promoting oral health in the aged care workplace setting: Key informants’ views. Verbal presentation at the Faculty of Dentistry Clinical and Research Excellence Symposium, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Conference Contribution - Verbal presentation and other Conference outputs
Signal, V., Jones, R., Davies, C., Stairmand, J., Smith, M., Adler, J., & Gurney, J. K. (2023). It’s more than just physical: Experiences of pain and pain management among Māori with cancer and their whanau.
International Journal of Indigenous Health,
18(1).
doi: 10.32799/ijih.v18i1.39255
Journal - Research Article
Oda, K., Majeed, S., Parsons, J., Boyd, M., & Smith, M. (2023). Putting the mouth into the head-to-toe assessment: Nursing oral health assessment training with an oral health therapist.
Journal of Nursing Education,
62(7), 399-402.
doi: 10.3928/01484834-20230509-04
Journal - Research Article
Al Naasan, Z., Duncan, W. J., Broadbent, J. M., & Smith, M. B. (2023). Cultural safety in dental practice for former refugee patients. In T. Milne, M. Anwar, L. Burga, H. Harcombe, M. Garelja, A. Middleton, D. C. Ribeiro, N. Fleming, K. Ogbuehi & A. Bahn (Eds.),
Proceedings of the 266th Otago Medical School Research Society (OMSRS) Meeting: Research Staff Speaker Awards. Dunedin, New Zealand: OMSRS. Retrieved from
https://ourarchive.otago.ac.nz/handle/10523/12839
Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract
Lowe, B. M., Smith, M., Jaine, R., Stanley, J., Gage, R., & Signal, L. (2023). Watching the watchers: Assessing the nature and extent of children's screen time using wearable cameras.
New Zealand Medical Journal/Te ara tika o te hauora hapori,
136(1578), 12-31. Retrieved from
https://journal.nzma.org.nz/
Journal - Research Article
Smith, M. B. (2009). Increasing physical activity voucher programme: A Karori Primary Health Organisation and Wellington City Council health promotion initiative. In L. Signal, R. Egan & L. Cook (Eds.),
Reviews of health promotion practice in Aotearoa New Zealand 2007-2008. (pp. 89-103). Auckland, New Zealand: Health Promotion Forum of New Zealand & Health Promotion and Policy Unit, University of Otago.
Chapter in Book - Research
Gage, R., Gurtner, M., Keall, M., Smith, M., McKerchar, C., Howden-Chapman, P., Shaw, C., Chambers, T., Pearson, A. L., … Signal, L. (2023). Fun, food and friends: A wearable camera analysis of children's school journeys.
Journal of Transport & Health,
30, 101604.
doi: 10.1016/j.jth.2023.101604
Journal - Research Article
Jones, R. M., Signal, V., Smith, M., Stairmand, J., Davies, C., & Gurney, J. (2023). Palliative care and quality of life needs and outcomes for Māori with cancer: What do we know?
AlterNative. Advance online publication.
doi: 10.1177/11771801231163919
Journal - Research Article
Lowe, B. M., Smith, M., Jaine, R., Stanley, J., Gage, R., & Signal, L. (2023). Watching the watchers: Assessing the nature and extent of children's screen time using wearable cameras.
New Zealand Medical Journal/Te ara tika o te hauora hapori,
136(1578), 12-31. Retrieved from
https://journal.nzma.org.nz/
Journal - Research Article
Oda, K., Majeed, S., Parsons, J., Boyd, M., & Smith, M. (2023). Putting the mouth into the head-to-toe assessment: Nursing oral health assessment training with an oral health therapist.
Journal of Nursing Education,
62(7), 399-402.
doi: 10.3928/01484834-20230509-04
Journal - Research Article
Salz, L., Hitchings, E., McBain, L., & Smith, M. (2023). No more capacity: The nature and appropriateness of attendances at a hospital dental service in New Zealand.
New Zealand Dental Journal,
119(1), 39-48.
Journal - Research Article
Signal, V., Jones, R., Davies, C., Stairmand, J., Smith, M., Adler, J., & Gurney, J. K. (2023). It’s more than just physical: Experiences of pain and pain management among Māori with cancer and their whanau.
International Journal of Indigenous Health,
18(1).
doi: 10.32799/ijih.v18i1.39255
Journal - Research Article
Xue, C., Al-Jassasi, N., Thomson, W. M., Adam, L., & Smith, M. B. (2023). Oral self-care among dependent older New Zealanders.
Gerodontology. Advance online publication.
doi: 10.1111/ger.12676
Journal - Research Article
Al Naasan, Z., Broadbent, J. M., Duncan, W. J., & Smith, M. B. (2022). Perceptions of tailored oral health education resources among former refugees.
New Zealand Dental Journal,
118(3), 104-109.
Journal - Research Article
Al Naasan, Z., Broadbent, J., Smith, M., & Duncan, W. (2022). Evaluation of a tailored oral health promotion intervention for Syrian former refugees in New Zealand.
Health Promotion International,
37(4).
doi: 10.1093/heapro/daac132
Journal - Research Article
Gage, R., Chambers, T., Smith, M., McKerchar, C., Puloka, V., Pearson, A., Kawachi, I., & Signal, L. (2022). Children's perspectives on the wicked problem of child poverty in Aotearoa New Zealand: A wearable camera study.
New Zealand Medical Journal,
135(1559), 95-111. Retrieved from
https://journal.nzma.org.nz
Journal - Research Article
Liu, W., Gage, R., Park, H., Pearson, A. L., Chambers, T., Smith, M., Barr, M., … Signal, L. (2022). The distribution of harmful product marketing in public outdoor spaces and the effectiveness of marketing bans.
Health & Place,
76, 102861.
doi: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2022.102861
Journal - Research Article
McKerchar, C., Gage, R., Smith, M., Lacey, C., Abel, G., Ni Mhurchu, C., & Signal, L. (2022). Children’s community nutrition environment, food and drink purchases and consumption on journeys between home and school: A wearable camera study.
Nutrients,
14, 1995.
doi: 10.3390/nu14101995
Journal - Research Article
Smith, L., Smith, M., & Thomson, W. M. (2022). Recommendations for improving dental care for dentate home-based older people: A qualitative New Zealand study.
Gerodontology,
39, 187-196.
doi: 10.1111/ger.12553
Journal - Research Article
Watkins, L., Gage, R., Smith, M., McKerchar, C., Aitken, R., & Signal, L. (2022). An objective assessment of children's exposure to brand marketing in New Zealand (Kids'Cam): A cross-sectional study.
Lancet Planetary Health,
6, e132-e138.
doi: 10.1016/S2542-5196(21)00290-4
Journal - Research Article
Freeman, N., Gage, R., Chambers, T., Blaschke, P., Cook, H., Stanley, J., Pearson, A., Smith, M., Barr, M., & Signal, L. (2021). Where do the children play? An objective analysis of children's use of green space.
Health Promotion International,
36, 846-853.
doi: 10.1093/heapro/daaa106
Journal - Research Article
Gage, R., Girling-Butcher, M., Joe, E., Smith, M., Ni Mhurchu, C., McKerchar, C., Puloka, V., McLean, R., & Signal, L. (2021). The frequency and context of snacking among children: An objective analysis using wearable cameras.
Nutrients,
13, 103.
doi: 10.3390/nu13010103
Journal - Research Article
Hyland, N. F., Smith, M. B., & Thomson, W. M. (2021). The residual dentition among home-based older New Zealanders receiving living support.
Gerodontology.
doi: 10.1111/ger.12558
Journal - Research Article
Smith, M., Stroud, C., Low, M., Gibson, C., Ferguson, C. A., & Broadbent, J. (2021). Non-traumatic dental presentations at emergency departments in New Zealand.
New Zealand Medical Journal,
134(1544), 99-112. Retrieved from
https://www.nzma.org.nz/journal
Journal - Research Article
Thomson, W. M., Smith, M. B., Ferguson, C. M., & Moses, G. (2021). The challenge of medication-induced dry mouth in residential aged care.
Pharmacy,
9(4), 162.
doi: 10.3390/pharmacy9040162
Journal - Research Article
van Kuijk, M., Smith, M. B., Ferguson, C. A., Kerse, N. M., Teh, R., Gribben, B., & Thomson, W. M. (2021). Dentition and nutritional status of aged New Zealanders living in aged residential care.
Oral Diseases,
27, 370-377.
doi: 10.1111/odi.13536
Journal - Research Article
Ferguson, C. A., Thomson, W. M., Smith, M. B., Kerse, N., Peri, K., & Gribben, B. (2020). Medication taking in a national sample of dependent older people.
Research in Social & Administrative Pharmacy,
16, 299-307.
doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2019.05.010
Journal - Research Article
Liu, W., Barr, M., Pearson, A. L., Chambers, T., Pfeiffer, K. A., Smith, M., & Signal, L. (2020). Space-time analysis of unhealthy food advertising: New Zealand children's exposure and health policy options.
Health Promotion International,
35, 812-820.
doi: 10.1093/heapro/daz083
Journal - Research Article
Lundbeck, H. J., Smith, M. B., & Thomson, W. M. (2020). Clinical validity of self-rated oral health among New Zealand nursing home residents.
Gerodontology,
37, 253-257.
doi: 10.1111/ger.12458
Journal - Research Article
McKerchar, C., Smith, M., Gage, R., Williman, J., Abel, G., Lacey, C., Ni Mhurchu, C., & Signal, L. (2020). Kids in a candy store: An objective analysis of children's interactions with food in convenience stores.
Nutrients,
12(7), 2143.
doi: 10.3390/nu12072143
Journal - Research Article