Health and Wellness: Why Dental Health Matters

Dr. Sarah Hancock is a public health researcher, educator, and health coach with a passion for translating evidence into action. She holds a PhD in public health nutrition from Auckland University of Technology where her research explored the critical connections between diet, dental caries, and metabolic health in New Zealand children. Her work has investigated both the harmful effects of highly refined, ultra-processed foods and the protective dietary patterns that support oral and systemic health.

 

Sarah's research has provided insights for understanding how dental caries may serve as an early warning sign for broader metabolic dysfunction. She has designed innovative studies comparing health and nutrition knowledge across children, parents, and health professionals, and has explored the real-world barriers that families and practitioners face in implementing dietary advice for optimal health. Her publications, including recent work on the oral-metabolic health connection, challenge conventional approaches to carries prevention and advocate for dietary interventions that address the root cause of poor oral health, namely the frequent intake of refined carbohydrates.

 

Currently working as an analyst in the School of Public Health at the University of Adelaide, Sarah is deeply committed to empowering individuals and groups to achieve sustainable health-related behavior change. As a health coach working across diverse settings, she combines research-driven insights with practical strategies to help people unlock their potential, foster lasting habits, and overcome barriers to health transformation. Sarah is a vocal advocate for eating patterns that minimize ultra-processed foods as a cornerstone of chronic disease prevention, bridging the gap between academic research and everyday health decisions.