How dental care affects children's school performance
Official title: Effects of Preventive Dental Services and Requiring Dental Screening Certificates for School on Academic Achievement
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11137178 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how regular dental check-ups and treatments can help kids aged 0-11 do better in school, and it aims to show how taking care of their teeth can make a positive difference in their learning.
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 | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $155,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R03DE033994-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11137178 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years, particularly those from low-income families or enrolled in Medicaid.
✕Less likely to help
Children who already have adequate dental care and do not face barriers to accessing dental services may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of preventive dental services and mandatory dental screenings on the academic achievement of children aged 0-11 years. It aims to establish a causal relationship between oral health and school performance by analyzing a unique dataset that links birth certificates, Medicaid claims, and school test scores. By understanding when and how dental care interventions are most effective, the study seeks to inform policymakers about the benefits of dental health initiatives for children's education.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved academic outcomes for children through enhanced access to preventive dental care.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated a correlation between oral health and academic performance, but this study aims to provide novel causal evidence on the effectiveness of dental interventions.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wehby, George L — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Wehby, George L
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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.