RSU Oral Health Research Group (OHR)

Welcome to the Oral Health Research Group (OHR) at Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU). We are a dedicated team of researchers, clinicians, and public health specialists committed to understanding oral health in Latvia, preventing dental diseases in children and adults, and guiding national health policy toward fairer, more accessible dental care for all families.

Our Mission

Our mission is to advance population-based oral health research by identifying the key factors behind oral diseases and developing evidence-based solutions to reduce their burden. Through scientific inquiry, we provide actionable insights that shape public health policy, drive systemic changes, and improve community well-being in Latvia and beyond.

What We Do (Key Focus Areas)

Understanding Disease Patterns (Epidemiology): Investigating population-level risk factors for tooth decay (caries), gum disease (periodontitis), and oral cancers to protect high-risk groups
Health Policy & Community Impact: Translating our research findings into real-world policy changes and evaluating the effectiveness of public health interventions
Health Economics & Family Burden: Measuring the true financial, social, and emotional impact of dental care on families and the national healthcare system
Special Population Studies: Focus on reducing oral health disparities among children, women, and individuals with physical or mental health challenges
Advanced Analytics & Innovation: Leveraging big data, microbiome insights, and technology (such as mobile health tools) to predict disease progression and promote long-term sustainability in oral care

Active Research Projects & Public Studies

Explore our ongoing research activities. Your participation helps us build a stronger oral healthcare system for Latvia!

1. Family Care Costs & Utilization Survey (Caregiver Survey)

Focus: Economic Burden of Childhood Dental Care in Latvia
About the Study: Managing tooth decay in children often involves costs that go far beyond standard clinic fees—including private practice fees, travel expenses, missed workdays, and family stress. This cross-sectional study aims to map out the true direct and indirect economic burden experienced by caregivers of children under 18 across Latvia
How You Can Help: Are you a parent or primary caregiver of a child under 18 who has visited a dentist in the last 12 months?

Take the Caregiver Survey*

^{* Takes 5–7 minutes | Completely Anonymous}

2. Disease Progression & Policy Modelling

Focus: Estimating Transition Probabilities in Childhood Dental Caries
About the Study: Tooth decay is a dynamic disease that progresses over time. Using long-term, anonymized clinical data (2018–2024) from major pediatric dental centers, this study uses advanced mathematical modeling (Markov models) to understand how quickly caries moves between different severity stages
Impact: The findings provide the Latvian National Health Service with clear evidence on where to invest funding—prioritizing early prevention to avoid costly, complex treatments later in life

3. Stakeholder Insights on Preventable Dental Conditions

Focus: Qualitative Burden of Preventable Dental Conditions
About the Study: Quantitative data only tells half the story. This initiative engages key stakeholders—including pediatric dentists, healthcare advocates, and patient representatives—to explore the qualitative, psychological, and everyday burden placed on children affected by preventable dental decay

4. Primary Healthcare Integration (Family Doctors)

Focus: Strengthening Preventive Care via General Practitioners
About the Study: Family doctors and primary care teams are often the first healthcare professionals to see young children. Through systematic reviews and national surveys, this project focuses on integrating oral health risk assessments and preventive advice directly into routine primary healthcare visits across Latvia

Our Research Approach & Rigor

We combine diverse scientific methodologies to ensure our findings are reliable and impactful:

Community Surveys & Clinical Studies: Capturing real human experiences alongside precise clinical data;
Economic & Statistical Modeling: Estimating quality-of-life impacts (QALYs) and performing cost-benefit analyses for healthcare policy;
Collaborative Partnerships: Working closely with local healthcare providers, international institutions, and public policy leaders.

Contact & Connect

Lead Institution: Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU)

Research Group: Oral Health Research Group (OHR)

Inquiries: For questions regarding our research projects, survey participation, or research collaborations, please reach out ohrrsu[pnkts]lv