Understanding how childhood adversity affects tooth development and cavities in young children

Genomic and bioinformatic approaches for understanding the effects of childhood adversity on primary tooth formation and caries development in young children

NIH-funded research Purdue University · NIH-11102619

This study is looking at how tough experiences in childhood might affect the way kids' teeth grow and whether they get cavities, and it's for anyone interested in understanding how dental health can relate to overall brain development and mental well-being.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionPurdue University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (West Lafayette, United States)
Project IDNIH-11102619 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on the impact of childhood adversity on the formation of primary teeth and the development of cavities in young children. The principal investigator will undergo training to learn about dental development and methods to measure tooth and dental tissue characteristics. This training will involve coursework, seminars, and hands-on lab experiences at multiple institutions. The goal is to connect findings in tooth development with broader implications for brain development and mental health.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are young children who have faced significant childhood adversity and may be at risk for dental problems.

Not a fit: Patients who have not experienced childhood adversity or those with pre-existing dental conditions unrelated to adversity may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and prevention strategies for dental issues in children who have experienced adversity.

How similar studies have performed: While this research explores a novel connection between childhood adversity and dental health, similar studies have shown promising results in understanding the links between early life experiences and health outcomes.

Where this research is happening

West Lafayette, 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.