Birgitta Haglund, Honorary Doctor at the Faculty of Health, Science and Technology

Birgitta Haglund was born in Halmstad and lived there until graduating upper secondary school. After general psychology studies in Gothenburg, she was admitted to dentistry school. Immediately after earning her degree, she spent six months involved in a research project through the Gothenburg dentistry school at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, near Washington DC.

"When I came back, I got a temporary position at Folktandvården, the public dental service, in Kil, and I have stayed true to Folktandvården Värmland ever since. I went from general dentist to clinical director at Folktandvården Tingvalla and later the regional head of dental care. While serving as regional head, I was also president of the steering committee of Nationell Frisktandvård, where we coordinated Folktandvården’s national subscription-based dental care."

Birgitta Haglund has always enjoyed practical work and fiddling around with things, making her a perfect match for dentistry where hands-on work meets medical expertise and a fair bit of psychology.  But what is the state of oral health in Sweden today? 

"Most young people here have great teeth, but I am afraid we are also seeing a deterioration of oral health in socioeconomically disadvantaged groups. These groups contain many individuals who have very serious dental problems. I think it is fair to say that our general oral health has become much like our general society – extremely polarised."

The demand for dental hygienists is high, and the University restarted a programme in 2020 to train new professionals. Another new addition is the Academic Public Dental Clinic, AFK, behind which Birgitta Haglund has been a driving force. This venture will link the clinical reality and the research together. The Oral Health discipline has four doctoral studentships, one of which is funded by Region Värmland and one of eight public dental service organisations in central Sweden.

"Our oral health is key to our quality of life, and the people who are best trained to help others maintain a healthy mouth are dental hygienists. It feels amazing to receive such a prestigious title that also shines a spotlight on the subject of oral health. I share my honorary doctorate with many others who have worked hard to reinstate the programme and ensure great collaboration in service of our students."

Birgitta Haglund is married and has two adult sons. She and her husband are both very active amateur musicians and play chamber music in various ensembles.  She also enjoys kayaking and hiking. She would like to mention that she was classmates with Per Gessle in upper secondary school.

"I like to jokingly call that my greatest source of bragging rights. But not since I became an honorary doctor – Gessle can’t compete with that!"