Abstract
Adolescence is the time when lifelong habits take shape, yet when it comes to oral health, young people are often talked at instead of with. This PhD explores how involving adolescents directly in the design of their own dental care can lead to more empowering and effective health outcomes.
Through a participatory and human-centered design approach, the research brought together adolescents and dental professionals to co-create a goal-setting tool that helps young people take a more active role in their care. Using interviews, observations, and co-design workshops, the study explored what matters most to adolescents when it comes to their dental health, not just avoiding disease, but feeling heard, capable, and motivated.
The result is both a practical intervention and a new way of thinking about oral health: one that moves from a focus on problems to a focus on salutogenic and well-being. Conducted within the Norwegian dental care system, this work shows how service design can bridge the gap between healthcare and adolescents’ real lives, turning patients into partners, and making oral health a shared responsibility rather than a prescribed routine.