Research group

Oral Health

Blurred image of dental chairs and equipment. AI generated illustration

The Oral Health Research Group is part of significant centres of expertise and innovation in oral health care and additive manufacturing in Turku, which provides our research and development work with excellent capabilities for multidisciplinary and extensive cooperation with actors in the region. Our aim is to further strengthen regional cooperation.

Our research group participates in research and development of dental instruments, appliances and materials. We test and evaluate the usability and clinical suitability of dental instruments, materials and appliances in the final stages of product development. Under our research group operates the Turku Clinical Research Unit for Oral Health testbed.

We also carry out research and development on patient / client self-care guidance and in the field of professional activities and processes. As a part of our various RDI projects, we also do clinical patient research.

Regional centres of expertise

Our research group is part of two significant and mutually supportive regional centres of expertise.

Turku Innovation centre for Additive Manufacturing (TICAM)

Turku Innovation Centre for Additive Manufacturing (TICAM) is a network of three local higher education institution: Turku UAS, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University.

The network of three universities is a nationally significant expert, developer and educator. The innovation centre covers the most important applications of additive manufacturing in bio science and dentistry, the pharmaceutical industry, and the machine and technology industry.

Oral health competence and education in the region

The Turku Kupittaa campus area is a unique, national competence and training centre for oral health.

All parties involved in the training of oral health experts, such as the institute of dentistry at University of Turku, the dental hygiene and dental technology degree programmes at Turku UAS and dental assistant training at Turku Vocational Institute, operate in the area and its vicinity.

In addition, Turku UAS and the University of Turku have a wide range of special expertise in biomaterials, tissue technology and mechanical engineering that serves and expands oral health expertise. There are also product development in the sector, service companies and providers of private and public sector services in the area.

Our experts

In the oral health research group, our strengths are a multidisciplinary team of experts: dentists and dental hygienist implementing clinical patient care, and dental technicians and biomaterials scientists responsible for the prostheses and materials in the head area.

  • Sini Kieksi

    Lecturer (Main occupation)
    +358 50 302 3362
    sini.kieksi@turkuamk.fi
  • Sari Silmäri

    Senior Lecturer, Degree Programme Leader
    +358 40 355 0851
    sari.silmari@turkuamk.fi
  • Päivi Pietikäinen

    Senior Lecturer, Degree Programme Leader
    +358 40 355 0448
    paivi.pietikainen@turkuamk.fi
  • Pasi Alander

    Senior Lecturer, Research Group Leader
    +358 44 907 5468
    pasi.alander@turkuamk.fi
  • Minna Hyötilä

    Senior Lecturer
    +358 40 355 0449
    minna.hyotila@turkuamk.fi
  • Milla Lahdenperä

    Senior Lecturer, Degree Programme Leader
    +358 50 598 5552
    milla.lahdenpera@turkuamk.fi
  • Mary-Ann Kaukinen

    Head of Education and Research
    +358 44 907 4970
    mary-ann.kaukinen@turkuamk.fi
  • Laura Harikkala

    Advisor, RDI Coordinator
    +358 40 355 0437
    laura.harikkala@turkuamk.fi
  • Johannes Halttu

    Lecturer (Main occupation)
    +358 44 907 4560
    johannes.a.halttu@turkuamk.fi

We actively collaborate with the schools and institutes of oral health care and technology in the region as part of regional centres of expertise.

Our partners are amongs others

University of Turku, Institute of Dentistry

University of Turku, Turku Clinical Biomaterials Centre (TCBC)

Novocam Medical Innovations Oy

LM-Dental

Stick Tech Oy

Ortomat Herpola Oy

Straumann

Plandent Oy

Planmeca

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The Oral Health Research Group is also closely involved in the organisation of our Bachelor’s degree programmes. Turku UAS is the only provider of dental technician education in Finland.

The Turku University of Applied Sciences Project Office offers support and guidance throughout the life cycle of an RDI project. Our project experts have years of experience and strong expertise in national and international funding programmes. We have more than 200 projects running every year, and our RDI activities have received more than €10 million in external funding.