Seniors’ Oral Health in Alaska: Understanding tooth disease outcomes in Alaska Native elders
Official title: Seniors Oral Health in Southeast Alaska
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11309675 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A long-term study will track older Alaska Native and American Indian adults to understand how dental disease progresses and what helps keep gums and teeth healthier.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | July 3, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $600,447 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE032376-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11309675 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are Alaska Native or American Indian adults aged 65 and older with periodontitis or dental caries receiving care within the tribal healthcare system.
✕Less likely to help
Participants without oral health issues or those outside the target age group may not directly benefit from the study findings.
What this research studies
This project follows geriatric patients with periodontal disease or dental caries to see how well different treatments work over 36 months, with special focus on Alaska Native seniors. Researchers will collect data on patient, practitioner, and environmental factors to identify what influences successful disease control. The study uses a prospective cohort design within a tribal healthcare setting that serves both urban and rural communities in Alaska. Findings will help shape better, culturally appropriate care for aging Alaska Native populations. The work will inform prognosis and management strategies for dental care in older adults.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could lead to improved, personalized dental care plans for Alaska Native seniors and reduce tooth loss and disease progression in this high-risk group.
How similar studies have gone: Previous cohorts have shown that prognosis-informed care can improve outcomes, but this project uniquely analyzes Alaska Native seniors and their specific risk factors.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Cunha-Cruz, Joana — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Cunha-Cruz, Joana
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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.