Penny Dodds

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About

Dr. Penny Dodds is a leading researcher in infection prevention and control, with a particular focus on the safe integration of therapeutic technologies in healthcare settings. Her most-cited work, "Infection prevention and control challenges of using a therapeutic robot" (2018), has garnered 15 citations and represents a critical contribution to the emerging field of robotics in dementia care. This study, part of a National Institute for Health Research participatory action research project, examined the practical challenges of deploying PARO—a therapeutic robotic baby seal—in a dementia unit in Sussex. Dr. Dodds identified key infection control risks associated with shared robotic devices in clinical environments, bridging the gap between technological innovation and patient safety. Her research has significant implications for the design and implementation of assistive robots in healthcare, ensuring that therapeutic benefits are not undermined by preventable infections. By highlighting these challenges, Dr. Dodds has informed best practices for infection prevention in an era of increasing reliance on interactive technologies for vulnerable populations. Her work continues to influence both clinical guidelines and the development of safer robotic systems for dementia care.