Research and publications (last 5 years):

• Head of the project and main investigator of the over-Estonian clinical study `Oral Health and Prevalence of the Pathological Changes Among the Adult Population of Estonia´
• 2022 Runnel, Riina; Lilleberg, Meryli; Olak, Jana; Sinijärv, Marjo; Murakas, Rein (2022). Eesti täiskasvanud elanikkonna suutervise uuring kujundab valdkonna tulevikku [An oral health survey of the Estonian adult population shapes the future of the field]. Hambaarst, aprill, 20−22.
• 2022 Runnel, Riina; Sinijärv, Marjo; Murakas, Rein (2022). Täiskasvanute suuhügieeni harjumused – kes vastutab? [Oral hygiene habits of adults – who is responsible?]. Hambaarst, 10−11 [forthcoming].
• 2019 Štšepetova, Jelena; Truu, Jaak; Runnel, Riina; Nõmmela, Rita; Saag, Mare; Olak, Jana; Nõlvak, Hiie; Preem, Jens-Konrad; Oopkaup, Kristjan; Krjutškov, Kaarel; Honkala, Eino; Honkala, Sisko; Mäkinen, Kauko; Mäkinen, Pirkko-Liisa; Vahlberg, Tero; Vermeiren, Joan; Bosscher, Douwina; de Cock, Peter; Mändar, Reet (2019). Impact of polyols on Oral microbiome of Estonian schoolchildren. BMC Oral Health, 19, ARTN 60. DOI: 10.1186/s12903-019-0747-z.
• 2017 Honkala, Eino; Honkala, Sisko; Vahlberg, Tero; Runnel, Riina; Saag, Mare (2017). Caries Preventive Effect of Polyols in the Primary Dentition. the European Association of Dental Public Health: 22nd Congress Challenges in Oral Epidemiology, 8-10 June 2017.Vilnius University, 29.
• 2016 Falony, Gwen; Honkala, Sisko; Runnel, Riina; Olak, Jana; Nõmmela, Rita; Russak, Silvia; Saag, Mare; Mäkinen, Pirkko-Liisa; Mäkinen, Kauko; Vahlberg, Tero; Honkala, Eino (2016). Long-Term Effect of Erythritol on Dental Caries Development during Childhood: A Posttreatment Survival Analysis. Caries Research, 50 (6), 579−588.
• 2016 Runnel, Riina; Honkala, Eino; Honkala, Sisko; Saag, Mare; Olak, Jana; Vahlberg, Tero; Mäkinen, Kauko (2016). Sugar alcohols as alternative sweeteners on the prevention of dental caries. NYSCO 2016: The Challenge of Science at the Beauty of Nature: NYSCO 2016, Tuusula, Finland 2016 August 23-26.NYSCO/FINDOS, 92.
• 2016 Runnel, Riina (2016). Kombineeritud õppe efektiivsus hambaarstiüliõpilaste õppetöös. Ennast juhtiv õppija 20.10.2016.Tartu KVÜÕA: KVÜÕA, 25−27.

Awards, grants

• 2020, Riina Runnel, a nominee of the best e-learning course in Estonia
• 2019, Riina Runnel, 100 faces of the Tartu University (Tartu Ülikooli 100 nägu https://100.ut.ee/tartu-ulikooli-sada-nagu/)
• 2017, Riina Runnel, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning 2015-2017
• 2014, Riina Runnel, Scholarship of Children´s Clinical Research Foundation
• 2012, Riina Runnel, The first place for popular scientific article among doctoral students
• 2011, Riina Runnel, Best E-learning course in 2010/2011
• 2011, Riina Runnel, Badge of Honor of the Tartu University
• 2009, Riina Runnel, Best studying teacher in Estonia 2009 (Archimedes, Primus)

Services, contributions, curriculum development etc:

Involvement with EU projects

2021-2025 nEUROcare – an European initiative for capacity building to meet the challenges of caring for people with neurodegenerative disorders in Sri Lanka

Ended projects:

• • 2020-2022 PATSAFE (Patient Safety) – Working together for patient safety improvement in Estonia
  • 2019-2022 BCM – Body Confident Mums – An Innovative Health Professionals Training Program to support maternal mental and physical health http://bcmeurope.eu
  • 2016-2019 EDUSHARE – Joint capacity building in biomedical higher education through adopting international academic standards and transferring technology between European and Vietnam universities https://sisu.ut.ee/edushare