Impact of Medicaid dental benefits on dental care for pregnant women
Official title: Effects of Pregnancy and Postpartum Medicaid Dental Benefit Generosity On Use Of Dental Services
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-10904749 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how having good dental benefits through Medicaid helps pregnant and new moms get the dental care they need, to see if those with better coverage are more likely to visit the dentist for regular check-ups instead of going to the emergency room for dental problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $147,025 |
| NIH project number | 5R03DE033075-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10904749 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are low-income pregnant and postpartum women who are enrolled in Medicaid.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not pregnant or postpartum, or those who do not qualify for Medicaid, may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the generosity of Medicaid dental benefits for pregnant and postpartum women affects their access to dental care. It aims to determine if women in states with comprehensive dental benefits are more likely to receive preventive and routine dental services and less likely to visit emergency departments for dental issues. The study will analyze data from national surveys to evaluate the relationship between Medicaid benefits and dental care utilization during and after pregnancy.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved access to dental care for low-income pregnant women, reducing emergency dental visits and enhancing overall maternal and child health.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that increased access to dental benefits can improve health outcomes, suggesting that this approach may yield significant insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Singhal, Astha — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Singhal, Astha
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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.