Improving access to dental care for underserved populations
Official title: Advancing oral health equity through integrating patient, provider, and population-based approaches
Funded at University of Utah · NIH-11017553 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how different things, like where you live and your background, can make it easier or harder for people to get good dental care, especially for those who haven't always had a fair chance, so we can find better ways to help everyone have a healthy smile.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | September 13, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2032 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $999,776 |
| NIH project number | 1R35DE034352-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11017553 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals from historically underrepresented populations who face barriers to accessing dental care.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who already have adequate access to dental care and do not experience disparities in oral health may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance oral health equity by examining how different factors affect access to and quality of dental care for various populations. It will utilize a multi-level approach that considers the perspectives of patients, providers, and the broader community to identify barriers and facilitators to dental care. By focusing on historically underrepresented groups, the research will gather new data and insights that can inform policies and practices to improve dental health outcomes. The methodologies employed will include innovative investigations that address the complex interactions between social, economic, and environmental factors impacting oral health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved access to dental care and better health outcomes for underserved populations.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in addressing health disparities through multi-level approaches, indicating potential for impactful outcomes in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Heaton, Brenda — University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Heaton, Brenda
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Coordinated Oral Health Promotion for Chicago Kids
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-
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-
Improving how schools deliver tooth care for kids using existing data
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-
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-
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.