Improving how dentists identify intimate partner violence through technology
Official title: Using Informatics and Natural Language Processing to Develop a Clinical Decision Support Tool to Improve Intimate Partner Violence Diagnosis by Dentists and Assess its Feasibility and Acceptability
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11111256 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a helpful tool for dentists to better spot signs of intimate partner violence during visits, making it easier for them to support patients who might be in need.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | June 10, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $170,748 |
| NIH project number | 5K23DE033785-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11111256 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who have experienced or are at risk of intimate partner violence and seek dental care.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have a history of intimate partner violence or are not seeking dental care may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance the ability of dentists to recognize signs of intimate partner violence (IPV) by developing a clinical decision support tool using advanced machine learning techniques. The tool will help dentists efficiently screen for IPV by providing timely and relevant information during patient visits, addressing the barriers they currently face. By analyzing electronic health records, the project seeks to identify patterns of orofacial injuries related to IPV, ultimately improving patient care and outcomes. The study will also assess the feasibility and acceptability of this tool among dental professionals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better identification and support for survivors of intimate partner violence, improving their overall health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using technology to improve screening for various health conditions, suggesting that this approach could be effective for IPV as well.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Banava, Sepideh — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Banava, Sepideh
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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.