Oral health effects of buprenorphine and methadone in people with opioid use disorder

Who could benefit from this research

What this research studies

If you are on MOUD, this study will look at how your medications might relate to dental and jaw health over time. Researchers will use a mix of methods to understand which factors contribute to oral diseases and how environmental and behavioral factors play a role. The goal is to identify potential ways to prevent or mitigate oral health problems during MOUD treatment. The study is designed to compare different MOUD options and examine access to dental care as part of overall health. Findings could inform future care that protects teeth and gums for people receiving MOUD.

Why it matters

Where this research is happening

• Chestnut Health Systems, INC.
  Bloomington, United States Active

Researchers

• Principal investigator: Watson, Dennis Paul — Chestnut Health Systems, INC.
• Study coordinator: Watson, Dennis Paul

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

• Investigating dental health in patients using buprenorphine for opioid use disorder

  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.

  NIH research Washington University · Saint Louis, United States · NIH-10899637

• Systems analysis to improve opioid use disorder care after jail release (SAIA-MOUD)

  A program to help people with opioid use disorder get better, faster, and safer care after they leave jail.

  NIH research University of Washington · Seattle, United States · NIH-11599161

• Precise epigenetic drugs for opioid addiction

  A tiny, targeted drug approach is being developed to help people with opioid use disorder by rewriting the epigenetic signals in the brain to reduce cravings and relapse risk.

  NIH research Boston Interactome, INC. · Boston, United States · NIH-11578588

• 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.

  NIH research Open Aid Alliance · Missoula, United States · NIH-11578581

• 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.

  NIH research Duke University · Durham, United States · NIH-11565766

• 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.

  NIH research Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · Newark, UNITED STATES · NIH-11535207

About this research

1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.