Understanding dental caries outcomes using national health data
Official title: Demystifying DMFT/DMFS: Pragmatic nationwide assessment of dental caries outcomes from NHANES
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-11139804 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at ways to better understand dental cavities by using smart math techniques on health survey data, so that everyone can get better treatment based on their specific dental health needs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $219,132 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DE034124-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11139804 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals aged 21 and older who have experienced dental caries or are at risk for dental health issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have dental caries or are under the age of 21 may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to improve how dental caries, a common dental issue, is assessed by utilizing advanced statistical methods on data from national health surveys like NHANES. By addressing the complexities of existing data, such as unequal sampling and various predictors of dental health, the project seeks to create a more accurate understanding of dental caries experiences across different populations. Patients can benefit from improved treatment plans that are informed by this comprehensive analysis of dental health factors.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective dental treatment plans tailored to individual patient needs based on a better understanding of caries outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in utilizing national health data to inform dental health outcomes, making this approach both relevant and promising.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bandyopadhyay, Dipankar — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Bandyopadhyay, Dipankar
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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.