Understanding Oral Health: Stress, Habits, and Neighborhood Factors
Multilevel Drivers of Oral Health: Psychosocial Stress, Health Behaviors, and Neighborhood
This project explores how daily stress, lifestyle choices, and where people live affect the oral health of adults, especially those of Central and South American heritage.
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 ID | NIH-11190922 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Many adults experience common oral health issues like cavities and gum disease, with some groups facing higher risks. This project aims to understand why these differences exist by looking beyond individual choices. We want to see how factors like everyday stress, personal health habits, and the economic conditions of a neighborhood might influence oral health over time. By using existing dental records, we hope to uncover connections between these broader life experiences and a person's oral health. This information could help us better support the oral health of diverse adult populations.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This project focuses on understanding oral health patterns in adults, especially those of Central and South American ancestry, by analyzing existing electronic dental records.
Not a fit: Patients not belonging to the demographic groups or without existing electronic dental records relevant to the study's scope may not directly benefit from this specific analysis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us better understand the complex reasons behind oral health disparities and lead to new ways to support better oral health for adults, particularly those from Central and South American backgrounds.
How similar studies have performed: While individual factors influencing oral health are known, this project takes a novel approach by combining psychosocial stress, health behaviors, and neighborhood economic conditions to understand oral health disparities.
Where this research is happening
Richmond, United States
- Virginia Commonwealth University — Richmond, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Garcia, Dina T — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Garcia, Dina T
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 below.