New thesis about identifying individuals at risk of fragility fractures in a dental setting
Hi Charlotta Elleby, doctoral student at the Division of Family Medicine and Primary Care. On February 1 you will defend your thesis "Identifying individuals at risk of fragility fractures in a dental setting". What is the main focus of the thesis?
Fragility fractures are very common among older adults in Sweden, and they cause great suffering for those affected, and huge costs for the society. We studied different methods that could be used in a dental setting to identify high risk individuals so they could receive preventive treatment.
Which are the most important results?
We found that the appearance of the jawbone on dental radiographs could not predict fractures for individuals. Neither could questions about alcohol consumption. However, questions about physical health and mobility were associated with hip fractures later in life. We also investigated dental patients’ thoughts about using the tool FRAX in a dental setting and found that they thought it would be a good service, but they had concerns that need to be considered.
How can this new knowledge contribute to the improvement of people's health?
Further studies and development of these methods could hopefully lead to fewer fractures and higher quality of life of the aging population.
What's in the future for you? Will you continue to conduct research?
I will continue to do research and clinical work as a dentist at Folktandvården Stockholm.