Understanding diagnostic failures in dental care

Diagnostic Failures in Dentistry

NIH-funded research University of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston · NIH-10904722

This study is looking into why some dental problems, especially gum diseases, are sometimes diagnosed incorrectly or too late, and it's designed to help dentists make better diagnoses so that patients can receive safer and more effective care.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Texas Hlth Sci Ctr Houston NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Houston, United States)
Project IDNIH-10904722 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates the reasons behind diagnostic failures in dentistry, particularly focusing on periodontal diseases. By systematically evaluating cases of delayed, wrong, or missed diagnoses, the project aims to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient safety in dental practices. The researchers will utilize electronic health record (EHR) data to identify these diagnostic errors and analyze their impact on patient outcomes. This innovative approach is grounded in previous work and aims to establish a standardized method for documenting dental diagnoses.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing periodontal diseases who may have faced diagnostic challenges.

Not a fit: Patients with dental conditions unrelated to periodontal diseases may not receive direct benefits from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic practices in dentistry, enhancing patient safety and treatment outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: This research is pioneering in its approach to systematically evaluate diagnostic failures in dentistry, as no similar studies have been conducted in this area.

Where this research is happening

Houston, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.