Rate My Professor Alana Dinsdale

Dr Alana Dinsdale is a Lecturer in Physiotherapy within the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Queensland. Holding a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and a Doctor of Philosophy in Physiotherapy from the same institution, she completed her PhD in 2023, exploring disability and management in adults with persistent intra-articular temporomandibular disorders. With over a decade of experience as a clinical musculoskeletal physiotherapist, particularly specializing in head, neck, and jaw issues, Alana maintains a private practice while contributing to academia. She is a guest member of the Australian and New Zealand Academy of Orofacial Pain and holds active memberships in the Neck and Head Research Unit (NAHRU), the Professional Education Research Engagement Theme, and the Knowledge Translation Research Engagement Theme at the University of Queensland. Additionally, she is affiliated with the Centre for Innovation in Pain and Health Research (CIPHeR) and serves as a general member for wellness on the school governance committee.

Alana's research focuses on the physiotherapy management of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), clinical education, physiotherapy workforce issues, and knowledge translation across intra-professional, inter-professional, academic, and industry settings. She employs diverse methodologies, including qualitative and quantitative approaches, and has developed a growing national and international profile with 235 citations on Google Scholar. Key publications include 'Is jaw muscle activity impaired in adults with persistent temporomandibular disorders? A systematic review and meta-analysis' (Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 2021), 'Are jaw range of motion, muscle function and proprioception impaired in adults with persistent temporomandibular disorders? A systematic review and meta-analysis' (Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 2020), 'What conservative interventions improve bite function in those with temporomandibular disorders? A systematic review' (Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 2022), 'The management experiences, needs and preferences of individuals seeking care for persistent intra-articular temporomandibular disorders: a qualitative study' (Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 2022), and 'Weighing up the benefits and challenges of hosting physiotherapy student placements in private practice: a qualitative exploration' (Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, 2022). As a lecturer, she coordinates courses such as PHTY2101 and contributes to student education in physiotherapy.