During September 2026, I had the opportunity to spend one month at the Department of Reconstructive Dentistry and Gerodontology at ZMK Bern as an external research stay within my PhD at the University of Copenhagen. I was fortunate to receive a one-month mentorship stay through the ITI Research Mentorship Program.
My part-time PhD focuses on oral function, prosthodontic rehabilitation, occlusion, implant dentistry, and patient-reported outcomes. The stay in Bern therefore gave me the opportunity to experience another academic and clinical environment with strong expertise in many of the areas that are central to my own research interests.
From the beginning of my stay, I was warmly welcomed by Professor Martin Schimmel and the entire department. During my first week in Bern, I joined the department’s annual team meeting, which gave me the chance to meet colleagues from across the team and quickly feel part of the department. It was also a memorable introduction to Swiss culture, as one of the activities involved painting and carving my own Trauffer cow, perhaps the most unexpected skill I will take home from Bern and certainly one of the least predictable parts of my research stay.
I subsequently had the opportunity to take part in the daily activities of the clinic, observe patient care and clinical workflows, and discuss ongoing research with colleagues. Being part of the department gave me insight not only into individual research projects, but also into how clinical care, teaching, and research are integrated into everyday practice at ZMK Bern.
During the stay, I also conducted a quality-control study together with Dr. Gabriela Sabatini and Professor Martin Schimmel. The study compared different digital and conventional methods for recording occlusal contacts and forces and examined their relationship with masticatory performance. The project allowed me to combine several of my research interests and work within a new research environment.
One of the most useful aspects of the stay has been the exchange of perspectives on oral function and prosthodontic research. Discussions with researchers and clinicians at ZMK Bern helped me refine how I think about topics that are relevant both to my work in private practice and to my PhD projects, including occlusal perception, bite force, masticatory function, and removable prosthodontic rehabilitation. As someone combining clinical practice with a part-time PhD, I also value seeing how research questions can arise from everyday clinical challenges and how research can, in turn, inform better patient care.
During my time in Switzerland, I also visited Professor Murali Srinivasan at the Clinic of Gerodontology and Special Care Dentistry, University of Zurich, where I observed clinical treatments and discussed the department’s work with him. This offered another perspective on clinical practice and academic dentistry in Switzerland.
Beyond the university visits, I visited the International Team for Implantology (ITI) and Straumann headquarters in Basel, where I met colleagues working in implant dentistry and research. These visits gave me a broader view of the links between clinical dentistry, research, and industry and highlighted the value of building professional networks across institutions.
Living in Bern for a month also gave me the opportunity to experience Switzerland beyond the university. During my free time, I attended an incredible behind-the-scenes organ session at Bern Minster, explored the Swiss landscape through weekend hikes, gondola rides, and cable cars, and experienced genuine Swiss hospitality. Just as importantly, I have enjoyed getting to know people in and around the department, and some of the friendships formed during this short stay are something I hope to carry with me beyond Bern.
I will return to Copenhagen with new perspectives, renewed motivation and valuable professional connections. Most importantly, the stay has reinforced how much can be gained from spending time in another academic environment, discussing research across disciplines, and learning from different clinical and scientific approaches.
I am very grateful to my mentor, Professor Martin Schimmel, and the entire team at the Department of Reconstructive Dentistry and Gerodontology for welcoming me to ZMK Bern and for making this stay both professionally valuable and personally memorable.
My stay in Bern has been short, but certainly very sweet.
Kurz gesagt: Forschung, Berge und eine Trauffer-Kuh – mehr Schweiz ging in einem Monat kaum.
Interested in a research mentoring experience?
The ITI Research Mentorship Program offers ITI members the opportunity to gain experience in a new research environment, exchange knowledge with experienced researchers, and build valuable professional connections. Could a research stay be the next step in your research journey?
