Nikolaos Christidis

I am a Professor in Clinical Oral Physiology and Programme Director, focusing on educational development and research in orofacial pain, jaw function, and higher education pedagogy in professional programmes.

Present positions

2022-07 Appointed Programme Director for the Study Programme in Dentistry, and for the Complementary programme for dentists with a dental degree from outside the EU/EES and Switzerland, both at Karolinska Insitutet
2024-01 Appointed subject responsible in Orofacial pain and jaw function limitations at the Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet
2024-12 Appointed Professor in Clinical Oral Physiology, Karolinska Institutet
2025-09 Appointed Board member of “The Swedish National Agency for Education’s guidelines for higher education preparatory programmes” (Skolverket)

Previous positions (clinical and academical work)

2002-06 - 2004-01 DDS, Dental Surgeon at Folktandvården Bergshamra, Region Stockholm (Full-time, 100%)
2004-01 - 2007-02 DDS, Dental Surgeon at Folktandvården Mörby centrum, Region Stockholm (Full-time, 100%)
2007-02 - 2008-10 DDS, Dental Surgeon at Folktandvården Eastmaninstitutet and Sankt Eriks Specialistklinik, Region Stockholm (Part-time, 50%)
2008-10 - 2011-10 DDS, specialist training in Stomatognathic Physiology at Folktandvården Eastmaninstitutet, Region Stockholm (Full-time, 100%)
2011-10 - 2013-07 DDS, Senior Consultant, specialist in Stomatognathic Physiology at Folktandvården Eastmaninstitutet, Region Stockholm (Part-time, 50%)
2011-10 - 2017-12 Lecturer and Senior Consultant, specialist in Stomatognathic Physiology at the Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet (Part time, 50% 2011-10 - 2013-07 and Full-time, 100% 2013-07 - 2017-12)
2016-01 - 2017-04 Senior Consultant, specialist competence in Advanced Pain Medicine at the Pain clinic (C2:63), Karolinska University Hospital in Huddinge (Part-time, 10% but within my employment at the Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet)
2017-12 - 2024-12 Senior Lecturer and Senior Concultant, specialist in Stomatognathic Physiology at the Department of Dental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet (Full-time, 100% 2013-07 - 2017-12)

Previous educations

2000-06 Philology – modern Greek, Stockholm University
2002-05 DDS, Karolinska Institutet
2010-06 PhD in Medical Sciences, Karolinska Institutet, title: The serotonin receptor type 3 in chronic and experimental human muscle pain
2011-10 Specialist in stomatognathic physioloogy (orofacial pain), Eastmaninstitutet Folktandvården AB
2012-02 Doctoral Supervisor Training course, Karolinska Institutet
2012-12 Teaching and learning in Higher Education, Karolinska Institutet
2016-05 Specialist in Advanced Pain Medicine, Scandinavian Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine (SSAI)
2017-01 Associate professor in odontology, Karolinska Institutet
2017-05 Open Networked Learning, Karolinska Insitutet
2018-05 The Role of Higher Education, Dalarna University
2019-11 Future Education Leaders, Karolinska Insitutet

Academic distinctions and other merits

2007 Best Poster Award – Clinical research, Karolinska Institutet
2011 Best thesis award (during 2010-2011), Swedish Dental Society
2012 The Wiley-Blackwell Neuroscience Young Investigator Award, International Association for Dental Research (IADR)
2020 Granted for writing educational book (Bettfysiologi – Orofacial smärta och käkfunktion), The Swedish Association of Educational Writers
2020 Member of the Pedagogical Academy at Karolinska Institutet – excellence in teaching
2022 Honorary member of Stockholm Dental Association
2022-2024 President of the Neuroscience Group of the International Association for Dental Research
2022 KIPRIME Fellow (Listen to the podcast - Episode 10 - Nikolaos Christidis)

My research area focuses on orofacial pain and jaw function limitations, from causes to treatment, in both children and adults. The main emphasis is on orofacial pain of muscular origin. It is well established that orofacial pain is not only an unpleasant sensory experience but also an emotional one. These pain conditions are often chronic and affect both the temporomandibular joint and the masticatory muscles, as well as their associated structures. The prevalence of orofacial pain of muscular origin is approximately 10–20% and is 1.5 to 2 times more common in women than in men.

To improve existing treatment options and develop new therapeutic tools, we need to expand our knowledge of etiology, pathophysiology, and treatment effectiveness. In other words, we aim to understand why orofacial pain and jaw function limitations arise, how orofacial pain affects jaw function, and how effective different treatment methods are for both children and adults. To deepen our understanding of the mechanisms behind orofacial pain, we examine the expression of pain receptors in muscle tissue in both healthy individuals and patients with myalgia, but also what happens with the pain receptor expression after treatments. To identify underlying risk factors, we follow children and adolescents over a ten-year period, not only to determine prevalence but also to explore associations and comorbidities.

Regarding jaw function, we investigate whether and how orofacial pain in the masticatory muscles or temporomandibular joints affects patients’ chewing ability, which is among their most prominent complaints, as well as their fine motor function. Currently, growing children are treated according to studies and guidelines based on adult populations. In other words, we do not know whether these treatments are effective for children, nor if they influence craniofacial growth. Therefore, we are conducting (to our knowledge) the first treatment study evaluating both treatment effectiveness and potential side effects in growing children and adolescents with orofacial pain of muscular and joint origin.

I also pursue pedagogical research aimed at improving training within the health professions, by examining students’ communication practices, attitudes toward ageing, and factors influencing students’ learning, well-being, and academic performance, but also assessments and examinations. Together, these research activities aim to advance scientific knowledge, improve patient care across the lifespan, ensure patient safety, professional development, and strengthen the education of future professionals in health professions educations.

I am an experienced educator in higher education and health professions education from undergraduate to advanced level, with extensive teaching in dentistry, oral diagnostics, orofacial pain and jaw function limitations. My pedagogical work spans from curriculum development, assessment design, interprofessional learning, and the integration of literacy and communication practices in clinical education. I have also been editor for and authored two university level textbooks. The first is within my field of specialty, i.e. orofacial pain and has the title "Bettfysiologi – Orofacial smärta och käkfunktion", [Stomatognathic fhysiology - Orofacial pain and jaw function] while the second aimed to inspire and support univeristy teachers and educational developers having the title "Ämnesintegrerad undervisning inom professionsutbildningar" [Subject integrated teaching in professional education].

I have supervised numerous students at undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral levels and is a member of the KI Pedagogical Academy. My educational research focuses on improving learning, academic performance, and professional competence among health professions students. Altogether, my teaching aims to strengthen evidence-based education and prepare future oral healthcare professionals for clinical excellence.