How pregnancy dental benefits affect dental care for mothers and their young children
Official title: Impact of Pregnancy Dental Benefits on Dental Care Utilization among Pregnant Women and Young Children
Funded at University of California-Irvine · NIH-11045645 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how having dental coverage through Medicaid while pregnant can help moms get more dental care and improve the oral health of their kids, making it easier for families to avoid more serious dental problems later on.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California-Irvine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Irvine, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $448,994 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE033732-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11045645 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include pregnant women who are eligible for Medicaid and their children under the age of 11.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or do not have children under 11 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of Medicaid dental benefits for pregnant women on their dental care utilization and the subsequent oral health of their children. It aims to understand how these benefits can increase dental visits and preventive care, potentially reducing the need for restorative treatments in young children. By analyzing data from dental claims and reported visits, the study will assess whether providing dental coverage during pregnancy leads to better oral health outcomes for both mothers and their children.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved oral health for pregnant women and their children, reducing the incidence of dental issues.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that improving access to dental care during pregnancy can lead to better health outcomes for mothers and children, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lipton, Brandy — University of California-Irvine
- Study coordinator: Lipton, Brandy
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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.