Examining how changes in adult dental coverage affect children's dental care access
Official title: Longitudinal Examination of Changes in Medicaid Adult Dental Coverage and Spillover Effects on Children
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-10931326 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how changes in dental benefits for adults on Medicaid affect kids' access to dental care, helping us understand if better adult coverage leads to healthier smiles for children in low-income families.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $159,170 |
| NIH project number | 5R03DE031782-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10931326 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-21 who are enrolled in Medicaid and come from low-income families.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not enrolled in Medicaid or are outside the age range of 0-21 may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how changes in Medicaid adult dental benefits influence access to dental care for children enrolled in Medicaid. By analyzing data from states that have altered their adult dental coverage, the study aims to understand the effects on children's dental utilization and emergency department visits for dental issues. The research employs a causal inference approach to assess the relationship between adult dental coverage and children's dental health outcomes over time. The ultimate goal is to improve dental care access and oral health for children in low-income families.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved access to dental care for children from low-income families, reducing disparities in oral health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that changes in adult dental benefits can impact children's access to dental care, suggesting that this approach has potential for meaningful insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Reynolds, Julie — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Reynolds, Julie
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.