Research
Dental public health is Ulrika's research profile, which includes all ages and different groups in the society. The aim of Ulrika's research is to increase the knowledge about the understanding of individuals' actions and needs and to contribute to developing health-promoting aspects in dental public care. The salutogenic theory is therefore a central theory in her research and involves focus on health factors and the individual's ability to utilize resources in a health-promoting direction. The sense of coherence (SOC) is a concept within this theory that also laid the foundation for Ulrika's thesis entitled: "Oral Health and Sense of Coherence Health Behavior's Knowledge, Attitudes and Clinical Status".
Ulrika's epidemiological studies show, among other things, that individuals with higher SOC have a healthier behavior such as fewer snacks, a healthy diet choice but also a more positive attitude to their teeth and their appearance and feel less dental care. Individuals with higher SOC also have better oral hygiene and less risk of developing tooth decay. Interviews with adolescents have also shown the importance of health promotion resources for oral health.
Ulrika has also done research on elderly people's oral health and strategies for collaboration on oral health. Results show, among other things, that elderly people in elderly homes have 30-50% registered oral health problems, where planned measures are help with tooth brushing (14%) and moisturizing the mouth (17%). Of people with malnutrition, 30% have some form of oral health problems. Ongoing projects try to improve support for the elderly's oral health.
A project in collaboration with researchers in social work aims to clinically investigate the prevalence of various types of oral health problems in young people placed in particular youth homes (SiS) and adolescents' own experiences of their oral health. Furthermore, the purpose is to investigate the possibilities of a chain of care in the relationship between SiS and the regions.
The well-being of dental staff, physically and psychosocially, is another area of research that Ulrika collaborates with together with researchers in physiotherapy and occupational therapy, also from a salutogenic perspective.
Research interests
- The relationship between oral health and public health
- The relationship between inequality in oral health and social / biopsychosocial determinants
- How oral health can contribute to healthy aging
- Self-perceived oral health and quality of life
On the basis of her research, Ulrika has so far co-authored two textbooks, "Gerodontology - Theory and Practice in Elderly Care"; https://www.gothiafortbilding.se/alla-tandvard/gerodonti-p77410782 and "Health promotion in theory and practice: different arenas and target groups"; https://www.bokus.com/bok/9789147125920/halsopromotion-i-teori-och-praktik-olika-arenor-och-malgrupper/. Another book chapter is scheduled to be published in 2020 in the book with the title; "Gerontology - elderly and aging".
Transdisciplinary collaboration and internationalization are of interest and importance to Ulrika's research now and in the future.
Teaching
Teaching takes place mainly on the dental hygiene program's courses. Courses in which teaching takes place are subjects in oral health, dental public health, dental care, conversation and communication as well as science / degree work.
Online-based courses are of interest where continuous training is ongoing.