How expanding Medicaid dental benefits improves oral health for adults and children
Official title: The role of comprehensive adult Medicaid dental benefit in improving oral health and reducing disparities among adults and children
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-10931565 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how Virginia's new Medicaid dental benefits help improve the oral health of both adults and kids, especially for those in low-income and minority communities, by seeing if more access to dental care leads to better health outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | September 19, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $160,726 |
| NIH project number | 5K08DE032443-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10931565 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults and children enrolled in Medicaid, particularly those from low-income and minority backgrounds.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not enrolled in Medicaid or those who have access to comprehensive dental care through other means may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of Virginia's expanded Medicaid dental benefits on the oral health of adults and children. It focuses on understanding how increased access to comprehensive dental care can reduce disparities in oral health among low-income and minority populations. By analyzing data from Medicaid-enrolled individuals, the research aims to evaluate changes in dental care utilization and overall health outcomes following the policy change. This project represents a unique opportunity to assess a real-world application of dental policy reform.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved oral health outcomes and reduced health disparities for Medicaid recipients.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that expanding access to dental care can lead to improved health outcomes, making this approach promising based on existing evidence.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Naavaal, Shillpa — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Naavaal, Shillpa
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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.