Main goals
The main goals of the research group are summarized in two pillers as follows:
- Research on dental public health, oral health communication, oral health psychology and behavioural dentistry
The overarching thematic focus of research has been communication related to health topics, both in terms of communication between dental health professionals and patients and between patients. The research conducted include aspects related to communication, oral health illiteracy and the relationship between stakeholders in the context of healthcare. A substantial part of research activities has investigated the phenomenon of dental anxiety. Most recently the department has also taken interests in how attitudes and psychological phenomena among dental health professionals are related to their clinical practice and life in general, for instance how mentalization capabilities among dentists and dental students impact their perception of clinical encounters and quality of life.
- Research on preclinical, clinical and experimental dentistry
The group is conducting research on oral biomaterials, oral microbiome, evidence-based practice, and identification of clinical and molecular biomarkers for future oral disease risk assessment. The group aims to use clinical data obtained from large epidemiological studies conducted in the north of Norway (for example, Fitfuture and Tromsø Study 7) to map the oral health status among the population in Norway, primary in the north of Norway, for a better prevention and evidence-based approach to deliver high quality oral health services. The research output aims also to emphasis the role of dental health professionals in Norway and elsewhere to preserve the effectiveness of antibiotics by advocating for responsible use of antibiotics in the community.
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