Väitös (sosiaalihammaslääketiede): MSc Balgis Gaffar
Aika
31.10.2025 klo 13.00 – 17.00
MSc Balgis Gaffar esittää väitöskirjansa ”Integration of Oral Health into Primary Care: The Policy and Practice” julkisesti tarkastettavaksi Turun yliopistossa perjantaina 31.10.2025 klo 13.00 (Turun yliopisto, DENTALIA, Arje Scheinin -sali, Lemminkäisenkatu 2 Turku).
Yleisön on mahdollista osallistua väitökseen myös etäyhteyden kautta: https://echo360.org.uk/section/3dbd142c-959b-49e1-a1c6-d972d83755e6/public (kopioi linkki selaimeen).
Vastaväittäjänä toimii professori Eero Lahelma (Helsingin yliopisto) ja kustoksena professori Jorma Virtanen (Turun yliopisto). Tilaisuus on englanninkielinen. Väitöksen alana on sosiaalihammaslääketiede.
Väitöskirja yliopiston julkaisuarkistossa: https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-02-0361-0 (kopioi linkki selaimeen).
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Tiivistelmä väitöstutkimuksesta:
This research explored how oral health is integrated into healthcare policies worldwide and in Saudi Arabia, and tested an educational program for healthcare providers. The study found that globally, only about half of countries have formal oral health policies for children or include dental care in general health policies. Programs for disadvantaged populations and universal dental coverage are also limited. Collaboration between health professionals is encouraged in some countries, but there are big regional differences.
In Saudi Arabia, healthcare workers showed moderate knowledge of oral health, with doctors demonstrating more knowledge than nurses. While attitudes were generally positive, only a minority of nurses conducted screenings or provided oral health education. Major barriers included lack of training and heavy workloads. The educational program delivered for nurses and doctors significantly improved their oral health knowledge, though beliefs about oral health did not change significantly.
The findings highlight ongoing gaps in both policy and practice. Strengthening training, supporting policies, and promoting teamwork among health professionals are key steps to better integrate oral health into overall healthcare, ultimately improving care, especially for children and other populations at risk.
Yleisön on mahdollista osallistua väitökseen myös etäyhteyden kautta: https://echo360.org.uk/section/3dbd142c-959b-49e1-a1c6-d972d83755e6/public (kopioi linkki selaimeen).
Vastaväittäjänä toimii professori Eero Lahelma (Helsingin yliopisto) ja kustoksena professori Jorma Virtanen (Turun yliopisto). Tilaisuus on englanninkielinen. Väitöksen alana on sosiaalihammaslääketiede.
Väitöskirja yliopiston julkaisuarkistossa: https://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-952-02-0361-0 (kopioi linkki selaimeen).
***
Tiivistelmä väitöstutkimuksesta:
This research explored how oral health is integrated into healthcare policies worldwide and in Saudi Arabia, and tested an educational program for healthcare providers. The study found that globally, only about half of countries have formal oral health policies for children or include dental care in general health policies. Programs for disadvantaged populations and universal dental coverage are also limited. Collaboration between health professionals is encouraged in some countries, but there are big regional differences.
In Saudi Arabia, healthcare workers showed moderate knowledge of oral health, with doctors demonstrating more knowledge than nurses. While attitudes were generally positive, only a minority of nurses conducted screenings or provided oral health education. Major barriers included lack of training and heavy workloads. The educational program delivered for nurses and doctors significantly improved their oral health knowledge, though beliefs about oral health did not change significantly.
The findings highlight ongoing gaps in both policy and practice. Strengthening training, supporting policies, and promoting teamwork among health professionals are key steps to better integrate oral health into overall healthcare, ultimately improving care, especially for children and other populations at risk.
Viestintä