How economic factors affect oral health in young adults
Official title: Economic Stressors and Opportunities as Influences of Emerging Adult Oral Health
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11158860 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how money troubles and opportunities affect young people's oral health as they move from being teenagers to adults, especially focusing on those who might be facing tougher challenges, to find the best ways to help them keep their smiles healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $684,427 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DE033953-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11158860 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are emerging adults aged 18-29 who are experiencing various socioeconomic conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are outside the age range of 18-29 or those with pre-existing severe oral health conditions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between economic stressors and opportunities and their impact on oral health during the critical transition from adolescence to adulthood. By examining a diverse group of emerging adults, the study will assess how socioeconomic factors, along with behavioral influences, contribute to oral disease risk. The research aims to identify key moments when interventions can be most effective, particularly for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. Through detailed data collection and analysis, the project seeks to uncover pathways that link economic circumstances to oral health outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to targeted interventions that improve oral health outcomes for young adults, particularly those facing socioeconomic challenges.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that socioeconomic factors significantly influence health outcomes, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chaffee, Benjamin W — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Chaffee, Benjamin W
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Host genetics and oral microbiome: big-data clues to oral health
A large study will combine human genetics, saliva bacteria, and health records to understand why oral diseases like cavities and gum disease occur in different people.
-
Understanding dry mouth in adults using AI to read electronic records
A new project uses AI to find adults with xerostomia in medical records and predict who will have worse oral health outcomes.
-
Oral health effects of buprenorphine and methadone in people with opioid use disorder
This project will explore how common MOUD medicines like buprenorphine (including dissolvable forms) and methadone may affect oral health in people with opioid use disorder.
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.