Investigating dental health in patients using buprenorphine for opioid use disorder
Official title: Oral Health Utilization and Outcomes Among Patients on Medications for Opioid Use Disorder
Funded at Washington University · NIH-10899637 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using a medication called buprenorphine affects dental health in people with opioid use disorder, to see if it makes a difference compared to other treatments, and it's designed for patients who are receiving care for this condition.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Washington University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Saint Louis, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $174,939 |
| NIH project number | 5R21DA057464-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10899637 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with opioid use disorder who are receiving or have received buprenorphine treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not diagnosed with opioid use disorder or those who have not been treated with buprenorphine may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research examines the relationship between the use of transmucosal buprenorphine and dental health outcomes among patients diagnosed with opioid use disorder. By analyzing data from a cohort of patients at the VA, the study aims to identify patterns in dental care utilization and outcomes over time. It will compare patients on buprenorphine with those receiving other forms of medication-assisted treatment to understand any potential negative impacts on dental health. The approach includes rigorous statistical methods to control for confounding factors that may affect the results.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved dental care strategies for patients undergoing treatment for opioid use disorder.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated potential dental health issues associated with opioid use disorder treatments, suggesting that this investigation could build on existing findings.
Where this research is happening
-
Washington University
Saint Louis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Durkin, Michael Joseph — Washington University
- Study coordinator: Durkin, Michael Joseph
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
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.
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Systems analysis to improve opioid use disorder care after jail release (SAIA-MOUD)
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Increasing Access to Medications for Opioid Use Disorder for Unhoused Montanans
This project helps unhoused people in Montana get life-saving medicines for opioid use disorder through clinics connected to syringe service programs, a nurse-led MOUD model, and peer support.
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Optimizing long-acting PrEP and opioid treatment for people in jails and prisons
This project tests a real-world approach to using long-acting PrEP and buprenorphine for HIV prevention and opioid treatment among incarcerated individuals and after release.
-
Scaling up medications for opioid use disorder in residential treatment programs
This grant studies how to help residential treatment programs provide medications for opioid use disorder to reduce overdoses after discharge, focusing on real-world settings and policies.
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.