Screening for diabetes in dental clinics for Alaska Native patients
Official title: Implementing a Diabetes Screening and Referral Service Developed for Dental Clinics Within an Urban Alaska Native Health Care Setting
Funded at Southcentral Foundation · NIH-10923995 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to check for diabetes during dental visits for Alaska Native and American Indian people, aiming to find those who might not know they have it and help them get the care they need to stay healthy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Southcentral Foundation NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Anchorage, United States) |
| Project start | September 24, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $207,856 |
| NIH project number | 5S06GM142122-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10923995 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Alaska Native and American Indian individuals aged 21 and older who visit dental clinics.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not visit dental clinics or are already receiving regular diabetes care may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to implement a diabetes screening and referral service specifically designed for dental clinics serving Alaska Native and American Indian populations. By utilizing dental visits, which many individuals attend even without regular medical care, the project seeks to identify undiagnosed diabetes and pre-diabetes cases. The study will assess how acceptable and feasible this screening process is within the Southcentral Foundation Dental Clinics in Anchorage, Alaska, and will explore the potential for effective referrals to primary care providers for further management. The goal is to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes and its complications through early intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier diagnosis and treatment of diabetes among Alaska Native populations, significantly improving health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in utilizing dental visits for health screenings, indicating that this approach may be effective in identifying diabetes risk.
Where this research is happening
-
Southcentral Foundation
Anchorage, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stillwater, Barbara Janoah — Southcentral Foundation
- Study coordinator: Stillwater, Barbara Janoah
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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.