Impact of Medicaid dental coverage on overall health
Official title: Spillover Effects of Medicaid Dental Coverage Expansions on Health Status
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-10841037 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how changes in Medicaid dental coverage can impact the health of low-income adults, helping us understand how getting better dental care might lead to better overall health.
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 | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $159,100 |
| NIH project number | 5R03DE031744-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10841037 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are low-income adults, particularly those below 138% of the federal poverty level, who may benefit from enhanced dental coverage.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with sufficient dental coverage or those above the federal poverty level may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how changes in Medicaid dental coverage affect the overall health of low-income adults. By analyzing data from states that expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, the study aims to understand the relationship between dental service usage and health outcomes. It focuses on the differences in health status based on the availability and generosity of dental benefits. The findings could provide valuable insights into how improving access to dental care can enhance overall health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved health outcomes for low-income adults by demonstrating the importance of dental coverage.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown positive outcomes from similar Medicaid expansions, indicating that increased access to dental care can lead to better overall health.
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.