Johannes Todorov

Biography

Johannes Todorov is a doctoral student in Health and Care Sciences at the School of Health and Welfare. He is a licensed dental hygienist and works clinically at Public Dental Care Service Kronoberg.

Research

Johannes’ doctoral project focuses on deepening the understanding of the identification and addressing elder abuse and neglect by examining how signs of mistreatment and abuse can be recognized by dental care professionals through oral health. Older adults constitute a particularly vulnerable group, facing an increased risk of various forms of abuse and neglect, which can negatively affect their health and well-being. Despite the significant consequences, research in this area remains limited in Sweden, and the level of knowledge among dental care professionals regarding these issues is still unclear.

The overarching aim of the doctoral project is to explore the significance of oral health and dental care professionals in identifying and addressing elder abuse and neglect. The project will further highlight how neglect of oral health affects the well-being of older adults and how dental care professionals can play a crucial role in recognizing signs of neglect and abuse while providing appropriate support.

The research findings aim to provide insights that facilitate the early detection of various risk factors and circumstances that increase the risk of elder abuse and neglect. The project is expected to contribute to the development of guidelines, practices, and strategies that can be implemented in clinical practice. Furthermore, the results can serve as a foundation for creating policy documents and designing training programs for dental care professionals, which in turn can lead to improved efforts in identifying and managing elder abuse and neglect. Moreover, the project is expected to contribute to reducing unnecessary suffering and adverse health outcomes among older adults, while enhancing preventive care efforts for this vulnerable population within society.

Publications

Article

Todorov, J., Shmarina, E., & Johannsen, A. (2024). Dental care staff's experience with risk assessment of dental erosion: a qualitative study. BMC oral health, 24(1), 933. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12903-024-04700-0