Evaluating Medicaid coverage for treating gum disease and its health effects
Official title: Medicaid coverage of treatment for periodontal disease and its impact on health outcomes
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11031100 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how having Medicaid coverage for gum disease treatment helps improve health, especially for low-income people, by checking how different states cover this care and its effects on oral health and conditions like diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2025 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $185,918 |
| NIH project number | 1R03DE034380-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11031100 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are low-income adults covered by Medicaid who are experiencing periodontal disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not covered by Medicaid or do not have periodontal disease may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how Medicaid coverage for periodontal disease treatment affects health outcomes, particularly in low-income populations. It focuses on the standard care for periodontal disease, which includes scaling and root planing, and examines the variability in coverage across different states. By analyzing Medicaid claims data from 2016 to 2023, the study aims to provide evidence on the impact of treatment coverage on both oral health and chronic disease management, such as diabetes. This research seeks to address the public health challenge posed by untreated periodontal disease and its consequences.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved Medicaid policies that enhance access to dental care for low-income individuals, ultimately improving their overall health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that improved access to dental care can lead to better health outcomes, suggesting that this approach may yield significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Simon, Lisa Emily — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Simon, Lisa Emily
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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.