While working as a dental therapist, Merrilyn became interested in patients’ responses to discomfort and this led to the formal study of psychology and completion of a PhD in 2007. Although moving to a new field, Merrilyn maintains a passion for oral health and has combined her interests in oral health, psychology, children’s development, and parenting in her research. She has published in the area of child oral health and obesity, and is currently working to improve the oral health of children in out-of-home care by providing professional development to children’s carers in residential and home-based care.