Esben Boeskov Øzhayat

Esben Boeskov Øzhayat

Associate Professor

Primary fields of research

I have a clear view on the criteria for success in my research: relevance for the greater society, the community in which the research results are to be implemented, especially the citizens that should benefit from the research. My research focus is the patient perspective and subjects derived from this including effect of health care systems and the individual and public benefit of oral prevention and treatment. It is about:

  • Quality of life
  • Society
  • Economy
  • Inequality
  • Vulnerable groups
  • Tooth loss and rehabilitation
  • Communication
  • Decision making
  • Cognitive processes

I use both quantitative and qualitative research methods and have performed many clinical studies but also population studies, register-based studies, and interviews are used to describe the societal and social aspects of odontology.

I am leading research projects independently and in collaboration with others and my focus is on interdisciplinary collaborations using my robust network of research collaborators. The goal with this is to make the research as relevant as possible with greatest quality and impact. I have experience in all parts and all phases of research and project management. This includes applying and getting funds for projects and supervising PhD students, research assistants, post doc, assistant professors, and pre-graduate researchers.

Current research

Selected current research projects:

1. Public benefit of health interventions in vulnerable unemployed citizens

It is investigated if dental treatment (project 1), municipal subsidy for health benefits (project 2), and improvement of health literacy (project 3) can improve the social aspects in the group, including relationship to the labor market and thus have a public benefit.

2. Relationship between periodontitis and general health and related public expenses

It is investigated if a group with long-term oral inflammation in the form of periodontitis have an increased risk of general diseases and use of health care benefits compared to a group without teeth and a group with teeth but without oral inflammation.

3. Oral health and quality of life in patients with Parkinson’s disease

The oral health and quality of life is described in a group of patients with Parkinson’s disease. The use of dental care systems in patients with Parkinson’s disease is also investigated nationally by use of registers.

4. Oral health, self-efficacy, health literacy, and quality of life in Saudi Arabian adolescents

The project takes place in Saudi Arabia, where oral health, self-efficacy, health literacy and oral health related quality of life is described in a group of female adolescents and compared to a similar group in Denmark.  

5. Copenhagen Aging and Midlife Biobank (CAMB)

A 10-year follow up in the CAMB population is planed. The development in oral health and related factors as well as the implication of development in oral health for a healthy aging is investigated.

Further, a project aiming at developing and testing interventions for improvement of the poor oral conditions in the Danish elderly population is starting during 2021.

For past projects/studies, please see my publication list.

Teaching

I am course director of courses in community dentistry and large interdisciplinary courses in comprehensive dentistry. I teach in most areas within community dentistry, including social odontology, communication and decision making as well as subjects within oral rehabilitation and comprehensive dentistry. I have knowledge of general studies from work in the study board and experience in constructing smaller and larger courses and have taught all types of session on many different levels including supervising students doing their master’s theses. My style is open and involving with strong focus on maximizing the students’ learning.  

For more details on my teaching experience and philosophy please ask for my teaching portfolio.

ID: 546069