We investigate the intricate relationship between systemic medication and oral health through a dual lens of safety and innovation. Our research in pharmacoepidemiology pursues two critical objectives: Pharmacovigilance, to identify adverse oral side effects of common prescriptions, and Drug Repurposing, to determine if existing drugs (such as anti-diabetics) can be adapted to treat oral diseases like periodontitis. To rigorously validate these findings, we integrate genetic epidemiology. By applying methods such as Mendelian Randomization, we leverage genetic data to distinguish true causal effects from observational correlations. This allows us to predict the safety and efficacy of therapeutic targets, prioritizing the most promising candidates before clinical trials begin.

Key Publications:

• Nolde, M., Ahn, N., Dreischulte, T., Rückert-Eheberg, I. M., Güntner, F., Günter, A., Gerlach, R., Tauscher, M., Amann, U., Linseisen, J., Meisinger, C., & Baumeister, S. E. (2021). The long-term risk for myocardial infarction or stroke after proton pump inhibitor therapy (2008-2018). Alimentary pharmacology & therapeutics, 54(8), 1033–1040. doi.org/10.1111/apt.16565
• Baumeister, S. E., Holtfreter, B., Reckelkamm, S. L., Kocher, T., Alayash, Z., Ehmke, B., Baurecht, H., & Nolde, M. (2023). Genotype-driven NPC1L1 and PCSK9 inhibition and reduced risk of periodontitis. Journal of clinical periodontology, 50(1), 114–120. doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.13719
• Alayash, Z., Baumeister, S. E., Holtfreter, B., Kocher, T., Baurecht, H., Ehmke, B., Nolde, M., & Reckelkamm, S. L. (2024). Complement C3 as a potential drug target in periodontitis: Evidence from the cis-Mendelian randomization approach. Journal of clinical periodontology, 51(2), 127–134. doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.13894
• Alayash, Z., Baumeister, S. E., Holtfreter, B., Kocher, T., Baurecht, H., Ehmke, B., Hagenfeld, D., Reckelkamm, S. L., & Nolde, M. (2026). Proteome-Guided Drug Target Discovery for Periodontitis. Journal of clinical periodontology, 53(1), 127–136. doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.70032

This research area investigates the diagnostic and predictive potential of various biomarkers, including proteomic and metabolomic profiles, for oral health outcomes. By integrating systemic biomarker data with longitudinal dental records, we aim to improve early detection and risk stratification, and achieve a more holistic understanding of how oral conditions relate to overall health. 

A second major focus is the real-world effectiveness of dental interventions. Beyond the controlled conditions of clinical trials, we analyze how clinical decisions influence tooth or implant retention, patient-reported outcomes, and long-term health trajectories in everyday practice. With a strong focus on long follow-up periods, we investigate how treatment strategies evolve over time and how they contribute to sustainable oral health.

In addition, we study the systemic implications of dental procedures, exploring how oral treatments may relate to broader health outcomes. Taken together, this research supports clinicians in making informed, patient-centered decisions that prioritize tooth preservation, overall wellbeing, and meaningful outcomes from the patient perspective.

Key Publications:

• Reckelkamm, S. L., Kamińska, I., Baumeister, S. E., Ponce-de-Leon, M., Ehmke, B., Rodakowska, E., Baginska, J., Nolde, M., & Kamiński, K. A. (2023). Targeted proteomics in a population-based study identifies serum PECAM-1 and TRIM21 as inflammation markers for periodontitis. Clinical oral investigations, 28(1), 59. doi.org/10.1007/s00784-023-05442-z
• Reckelkamm, S. L., Kamińska, I., Baumeister, S. E., Holtfreter, B., Alayash, Z., Rodakowska, E., Baginska, J., Kamiński, K. A., & Nolde, M. (2023). Optimizing a Diagnostic Model of Periodontitis by Using Targeted Proteomics. Journal of proteome research, 22(7), 2509–2515. doi.org/10.1021/acs.jproteome.3c00230
• Kashta, A., Baumeister, S. E., Ehmke, B., & Reckelkamm, S. L. (2026). Long-Term Implant Survival in Periodontitis. Clinical oral implants research, 10.1111/clr.70105. Advance online publication. doi.org/10.1111/clr.70105

We investigate the "ecosystem" of the oral cavity and try to understand the oral microbiome as a complex, dynamic community of bacteria essential to human health and disease. Analyzing high-throughput sequencing data of oral microbe DNA, we seek to understand dysbiosis - the imbalance of microbial colonies that drives conditions like caries and periodontitis. Beyond local oral health, our research aims to decipher how the oral microbiome acts as a reservoir for systemic pathogens, potentially affecting conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. By mapping these microbial signatures, we aim to develop next-generation diagnostic markers and targeted probiotic therapies.

Oral health is inextricably linked to human behavior. In this research area, we quantify the impact of lifestyle factors - specifically smoking, nicotine, alcohol, cannabis and diet - on the risk of developing oral diseases. We investigate not only how these factors affect oral tissues, but also how they interact with genetic susceptibility. Our goal is to provide precise risk estimates that can inform public health campaigns and personalized patient counseling.

Key publications:

• Baumeister, S. E., Listl, S., Holtfreter, B., Nascimento, G. G., & Leite, F. R. M. (2025). Causal Effect of Smoking and Cessation on Tooth Loss. Journal of clinical periodontology, 52(4), 539–546. doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.14106
• Baumeister, S. E., Holtfreter, B., Kocher, T., & Nascimento, G. G. (2025). Capitalising on Tax Variation to Estimate the Effect of Alcohol Consumption on Edentulism. Journal of clinical periodontology, 52(8), 1108–1114. doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.14176
• Baumeister, S. E., Alayash, Z., Baurecht, H., Reckelkamm, S. L., Kocher, T., Holtfreter, B., Ehmke, B., & Nolde, M. (2022). Cannabis use and the risk of periodontitis: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study. Journal of clinical periodontology, 49(7), 654–661. doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.13632
• Baumeister, S. E., Baurecht, H., Nolde, M., Alayash, Z., Gläser, S., Johansson, M., Amos, C. I., International Lung Cancer Consortium, Johnson, E. C., & Hung, R. J. (2021). Cannabis Use, Pulmonary Function, and Lung Cancer Susceptibility: A Mendelian Randomization Study. Journal of thoracic oncology : official publication of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, 16(7), 1127–1135. doi.org/10.1016/j.jtho.2021.03.025