Coordinated oral health support for Chicago families with young children
Official title: Coordinated Oral Health Promotion (CO-OP) Chicago Cohort Study
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11128652 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project tries to help parents of young Chicago children improve toothbrushing habits and reduce tooth decay using community health workers and home-based support.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | July 8, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,152,004 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DE030067-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11128652 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are caregivers and their young children (especially infants and toddlers) living in Chicago, including families with Medicaid or from Black and Hispanic communities at higher risk for cavities.
✕Less likely to help
Children who live outside the Chicago area, are older than the study age range, or whose families are unwilling to take part in home visits or behavior-focused support may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project follows young children and their caregivers over time to learn what increases the chance of cavities. Community health workers visit homes, collect information on diet, toothbrushing, and fluoride, and may observe brushing or use objective brushing measures. The work builds on an earlier CO-OP Chicago effort that enrolled 420 caregiver-child pairs and tested a family-focused support program. Researchers will track dental plaque, caregiver-reported brushing, and social and behavioral factors to better target prevention and reduce disparities.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help families lower childhood tooth decay by improving daily brushing and access to preventive services.
How similar studies have gone: Previous CO-OP Chicago work demonstrated feasibility and enrolled 420 caregiver-child pairs, and similar community health worker programs have shown promise for improving child oral health though results vary by setting.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Martin, Molly a — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Martin, Molly a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Coordinated Oral Health Promotion for Chicago Kids
A long-running study in Chicago is following children and their caregivers to find ways to reduce tooth decay and improve daily life for families.
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Digital adolescent dental health program to reduce tooth decay in at-risk youth
A digital program designed for lower-income 7th and 8th graders to help them avoid tobacco use and sugary drinks to lower the risk of tooth decay.
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Understanding and improving oral health in young children in Chicago
The CO-OP Chicago study is looking at what causes cavities in kids under three years old, focusing on things like their diet and how they brush their teeth, and it’s designed for families to help improve their little ones' oral health together.
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Creating a digital program to improve oral health habits in adolescents
This study is creating a fun digital program to help teens, especially those from lower-income and minority backgrounds, take better care of their teeth by encouraging them to brush twice a day, avoid tobacco and vaping, and cut down on sugary drinks.
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Health Promotion and Cancer Prevention Network in South Carolina
A national cancer prevention network in South Carolina is testing ways to spread proven cancer prevention and control messages and practices to underserved communities.
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Improving how schools deliver tooth care for kids using existing data
This project analyzes past school-based dental care data to help more underserved children get effective, affordable preventive treatment.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.