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For Professor Zoe Marshman, a career in dentistry was inspired by something quite simple, she just loved going to the dentist as a child. That early enthusiasm blossomed into an incredible career spanning clinical practice, academia, and policy advocacy, all with a central focus on improving oral health for children.

Now a Professor of Dental Public Health at the Сŷ��Ƶ of Sheffield and an Honorary Consultant in Dental Public Health at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, ,Zoe has dedicated her career to driving change on a national scale.

Zoe qualified as a dentist from Newcastle Сŷ��Ƶ in 1997. She spent five years in clinical practice, working mainly in the community dental service treating children and adults with learning disabilities. During this time, she also completed a hospital placement, handling everything from extractions to emergency cases involving dental trauma from fights and dog bites. However, she began to question the effectiveness of treating one patient at a time.

“I loved treating patients, but I kept thinking, there must be a better way. You see one child with decay, then their sibling, then the next one, and you’re giving all this preventive advice, but the cycle continues,” she reflects. “I wanted to focus on upstream interventions - preventing oral health issues rather than just treating them.”

That realisation led her to a career shift. While still working clinically, she pursued a Master’s in Public Health at the Сŷ��Ƶ of Nottingham, and in 2002, she took up an academic role at the Сŷ��Ƶ of Sheffield to train as a specialist in dental public health.

Over the past two decades, Professor Marshman has led numerous studies aimed at improving children’s dental experiences and preventing tooth decay. Her research has influenced national policy, particularly in the areas of supervised toothbrushing programmes in schools, health visitor interventions, and strategies to alleviate dental anxiety in children.

One of the defining moments of her career came when she shifted her research approach from studying children to working with children. “Initially, research was done on children, treating them as subjects rather than participants,” she explains, “through my collaboration with social science colleagues, particularly with Professor Barry Gibson, I embraced the idea of involving children and families in shaping research solutions.” This perspective became her niche, driving her efforts to ensure children’s voices are heard in dental health initiatives.

Her PhD, completed in 2002, focused on the impact on children’s lives of visible dental conditions, like white or brown marks on teeth. This work further fuelled her passion for understanding the social and emotional dimensions of dental health.

With her expertise in dental public health, Zoe has been at the forefront of influencing national oral health policies. She has engaged in roundtable discussions with government ministers, including Stephen Kinnock MP, and serves on the advisory group for the national supervised toothbrushing programme recently announced by the Department of Health and Social Care.

“We haven’t had a government place so much emphasis on children’s oral health until now,” she notes. “This is a critical opportunity, and we need to act fast to drive meaningful change.”

Her work naturally aligns with advocacy, whether through local government, the NHS, or national policymakers. “Nearly all of my research is designed to influence policy changes. When it works, the impact is huge, it means improving health at a population level rather than just one patient at a time.”

As a leader in her field, Zoe is passionate about mentoring the next generation of dental professionals to engage with research. She has guided numerous PhD students, many of whom have secured prestigious fellowships and research roles.

“Clinical academia is tough, you’re balancing research with the clinical and teaching aspects, but having great mentors made all the difference for me. Now, I take pride in supporting others on their journeys. When I retire, I want to know that this work will continue.”

Her dedication to research excellence has been recognised with an NIHR Senior Investigator award, a prestigious honour given to leaders in health and care research. These investigators shape national policy, mentor future researchers, and drive impactful studies that improve public health.

Balancing a career with family life is no small feat, but for Zoe, teamwork is key. “I have two teenage daughters who keep me busy, and a husband who is incredibly supportive. For anyone considering this career path with a family, it’s absolutely possible, but having a strong support system is essential.”

Outside of work, she enjoys running and gardening, simple pleasures that provide balance in an otherwise fast paced career.

With a wealth of experience behind her, Zoe remains focused on the future. “My hope is to strengthen the policy links we’ve developed and ensure that oral health remains a national priority. We’ve come a long way, but there’s still so much to do.”

Her journey, from a child who simply loved visiting the dentist to a leading voice in dental public health is a testament to the power of passion, persistence, and the drive to make a lasting impact.