University of Melbourne secures grant to improve access to oral cancer screening

The Melbourne Dental School in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences has received a $764,871 Government grant, to improve access to specialist oral cancer screening for Australian rural communities.

The research project called Enabling Oral Cancer Screening in Australian Agricultural Communities, will be led by Dr Tami Yap, a Senior Lecturer in oral medicine and pathology.

The initiative will use digital tools to upskill rural health teams and remove geographical barriers to mouth cancer screening, bridging the ‘city to country’ divide.

Specialists will be able to make patient diagnostic triage assessments patient from afar, using a bespoke software called MouthMap™. This digitally annotated screening tool can catch oral cancer in its early stages through near-home captured photography based remote screening.

The software has the potential to replace invasive biopsies and improve accessibility of cancer treatment for patients located outside metropolitan areas. This is because images can be viewed and reported on remotely, overcoming the obstacle of oral medicine specialists being primarily based in capital cities.

Launching from October 2025, the project will run for three years and focus on engaging with communities in Wimmera South Mallee Region West and Murrundindi Shire.

Speaking about the potential impact of the research, Dr Yap said: “Oral cancer is a significant global issue. In Australia, new cases are rising and mortality rates remain high due to late detection, despite early detection leading to much better survival.

“This project aims to improve access to specialist oral cancer expertise for Australian agricultural communities using telehealth, partnering with rural providers to enhance prevention, early detection and access to specialist evaluation in these underserved communities.”

Led by the University of Melbourne, the collaborative grant proposal also included contributions from Deakin University, Violet Vines Marschman Centre for Rural Health Research at La Trobe University and West Wimmera Health Service.

The $764,871 was awarded through the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) Targeted Call for Research: Oral Health Care in Australia 2024, as part of a $4million funding announcement by the Australian Government to drive groundbreaking oral health research.

Full details of the researchers and projects funded, are available to download on NHMRC’s outcomes of funding rounds page.