Newsletter 63 from the Head of Department

22 March 2024 by Siri Beier Jensen

INTERNAL AT THE INSTITUTE

Guidance for good ergonomics in the workplace
Regardless of whether we are in the clinic or the office, during a working day we sometimes sit and stand in uncomfortable positions and perhaps often for many hours at a time, and this can affect the hands, neck and back. At the most recent meeting of our local liaison committee (lokale samarbejdsudvalg, LSU), we talked about ergonomics in the workplace and how, with good ergonomic working postures, we strain the body as little as possible while we are at work. Ergonomist Mette Krebs has prepared material and small instructional videos (in collaboration with the Danish Dental Association) for:

It is all also on our employee portal [In the Danish version], where you can also read more about good ergonomics at office workplaces.

Maybe a few more could use 10 min. to answer a questionnaire about sustainability in dental care
I recently sent you an email inviting you to take part in the survey on sustainability in dental care. I repeat the message, because your knowledge and input are important to have both in the project with the five Circle U. universities and in the planning of our course "Sustainability in Dental Clinics", which is offered as a joint elective for the 5th semester at all our bachelor's programs from 2025.

Take part in the survey via this link: https://forms.office.com/e/0879r5a549 no later than tomorrow Friday 22 March 2024.

RESEARCH, EDUCATION AND TEACHING

Lene Baad-Hansen is IOOS' career ambassador
The faculty has recently launched a new career development package, which includes seven concrete measures, all of which are intended to strengthen and support the careers of junior researchers. The effort is targeted at Postdocs and Assistant Professors, and one of the measures is to appoint so-called career ambassadors.

Our career ambassador is Professor Lene Baad-Hansen, and she can help with general career guidance and advice on skills development. Reach out to her!

You can find out more about the new career development package for junior researchers in the article "The faculty is launching a comprehensive career development package" and read more about what you can use a career ambassador for in the article "Reach out to your local career ambassador".

The campaign on research security is a precursor to concrete measures at the university
You may have seen the campaign messages on posters in the city, drawing attention to the threat of espionage in university environments from so-called non-like-minded states. The Danish National Security Agency (PET) is behind the campaign, which has been hotly debated since it was launched at the beginning of February.

The background is serious and the message must be taken seriously. Therefore, the campaign is followed by new guidelines at Aarhus University, which must increase the focus on safety in virtually all stages of research – from the employments, the use of PCs during travel, and to the termination of employment. The new measures will be gradually implemented at the university from this spring, and you will hear more about them.

You can read an explanation in the article "The Danish national security agency PET launches campaign for research security", in which Vice-dean for Research Per Höllsberg and myself participate. We are both Faculty of Health's representatives in the university's implementation group in relation to the Ministry of Education and Research's "Committee on Guidelines for International Research and Innovation Collaboration" (URIS).

Sebastian Schlafer talks about his research collaboration with Novozymes
Professor Sebastian Schlafer, Section for Oral Ecology - Cariology, works together with the biotech company Novozymes (now Novonesis) to develop an enzyme-based therapy that prevents dental diseases such as caries, gingivitis and periodontitis without harming beneficial bacteria in the mouth. The research project is now on its third clinical study, and the partnership has, among other things, led to the development of a lozenge launched in the USA last year.

In Aarhus University's business and innovation magazine "Aarhus University brings solutions" [In Danish] (p. 10-11), Sebastian Schlafer talks about both the research project and the collaboration with industry - finally, also press the small playback button, which starts a small video with Sebastian Schlafer.

NEWS ABOUT NAMES

Irene Dige participates in articles and radio broadcasting about children and lack of dental care
In a series of articles and broadcastings at the beginning of February, Danmarks Radio described how children's dental care in some municipalities has long waiting times for examinations due to staff shortages and a large patient base - for example this "Several municipalities cannot comply with the National Board of Health's guidelines for dental check-ups [In Danish]".

Associate Professor Irene Dige, Section for Oral Ecology - Cariology, has participated as an expert several times and explained what it can potentially mean for the children's teeth if disease is not detected and treated in time.

Irene Dige participated in, among other things live in Orientering on P1 on 8 February 2024 – listen with approx. 48 min. inside the broadcast: https://www.dr.dk/lyd/p1/p1-orientering/p1-orientering-2024/p1-orientering-11802410064 [In Danish].

Line Dam Østergaard is the new clinical team leader
The process of recruiting the second and last clinical team leader has gone through, and from 1 March 2024 Line Dam Østergaard is employed as clinical team leader of the dental nurses.

Line graduated as a dentist in 2007 from the University of Copenhagen, and since then has worked for 8 years in private practice in Zealand and 8 years in municipal dentistry in Horsens and Aarhus. In Horsens, Line was also clinic manager. Line is already around the corridors, so please welcome her.

Best wishes,

Siri