Julia Jockusch

Professor Julia Jockusch serves as the Director of the Polyclinic for Dental Prosthetics and Geriatric Dentistry at Brandenburg Medical School (MHB) in Brandenburg an der Havel, Germany. She holds a Professorship specifically focused on Dental Prosthetics and Geriatric Dentistry within the Department of Dentistry at MHB, where she has been employed since April 1, 2025.

Professor Jockusch's research interests span several critical areas in contemporary dentistry:

• Dental prosthetics
• Geriatric dentistry
• Healthcare research
• Ethics in dentistry
• Educational research
• Oral-systemic connections

Her work particularly emphasizes the intersection of oral health and cognitive conditions, with significant focus on dementia patients. Professor Jockusch leads the OrBiD (Oral Health, Bite Force, and Dementia) Pilot Study, which investigates the relationship between oral health parameters and dementia progression. Her research has demonstrated how masticatory muscle training can improve chewing efficiency in people with dementia and how oral hygiene interventions impact oral health parameters in this population.

Professor Jockusch maintains an active publication record with numerous articles in reputable journals from 2020-2024. Her work appears in publications such as the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Journal of Clinical Medicine, and Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. Her research shows a consistent focus on practical applications of dental science for elderly patients, particularly those with cognitive impairments, with emphasis on developing assessment tools and clinical interventions.

Her notable scientific contributions include:

• Development of assessment tools for bite force measurement
• Investigations into the relationship between handgrip strength and chewing function in dementia patients
• Studies on dental education in gerodontology across different countries
• Research on dental patient-reported outcomes in geriatric dentistry
• Analysis of oral health interventions for dementia patients
• Exploration of additive manufacturing applications in dental prosthetics

As an educator, Professor Jockusch teaches specialized courses in dental prosthetics and geriatric dentistry. Her teaching philosophy appears aligned with her quote from Albert Schweitzer: "Science without humanity is blind, humanity without science is naive," suggesting an integrated approach to dental education that combines technical expertise with humanistic values.

Professor Jockusch's research group focuses on clinical application of dental prosthetics for elderly patients and investigation of oral-systemic connections in aging and dementia. Her work bridges clinical dentistry, geriatric care, and healthcare research, creating a multidisciplinary approach to improving oral health outcomes for older adults, particularly those with cognitive impairments.