Understanding how stress and community factors affect oral health in older adults.
Official title: Multilevel Drivers of Oral Health: Psychosocial Stress, Health Behaviors, and Neighborhood
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-10952861 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how stress and neighborhood conditions affect the dental health of adults, especially those from Central and South America, to better understand the challenges they face and improve their oral health over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $161,981 |
| NIH project number | 1R03DE034047-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10952861 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 65 and older, especially those of Central and South American ancestry.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are younger than 65 years old or do not identify as being of Central or South American ancestry may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the impact of psychosocial stress and neighborhood conditions on oral health among adults, particularly those of Central and South American ancestry. By analyzing electronic dental records, the study aims to uncover how these factors influence both clinical and self-reported oral health outcomes. It will also consider variations based on biological sex and behavioral risk factors, providing a comprehensive view of the challenges faced by this population. The goal is to identify upstream influences that contribute to oral health disparities over time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved oral health interventions tailored to the needs of older adults, particularly those from Central and South American backgrounds.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that psychosocial factors significantly impact health outcomes, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Garcia, Dina T — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Garcia, Dina T
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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.