Using health data to improve oral health for vulnerable adults
Official title: Leveraging health systems' data to address oral health disparities
Funded at Indiana University Indianapolis · NIH-10948451 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at health records to find out which adults might need emergency care for dental problems, so we can better understand and improve dental care for everyone, especially those who might not have easy access to it.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Career grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Indiana University Indianapolis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Indianapolis, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $156,589 |
| NIH project number | 1K01DE033998-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10948451 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who experience oral health issues and may seek treatment in emergency departments.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with traumatic dental conditions or those who do not utilize emergency department services may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to address oral health disparities by analyzing electronic health record (EHR) data from multiple health systems. It focuses on identifying adults who are likely to seek emergency department (ED) treatment for non-traumatic dental conditions (NTDCs) by leveraging advanced machine learning techniques and social determinants of health data. The study will also extract relevant oral health predictors from clinical notes to enhance prediction models. Ultimately, the goal is to improve care delivery and reduce reliance on emergency services for dental issues.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better-targeted interventions for vulnerable populations, improving their oral health outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that leveraging health data can effectively identify at-risk populations and improve health outcomes, suggesting a promising approach in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Indiana University Indianapolis
Indianapolis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Taylor, Heather Lynn — Indiana University Indianapolis
- Study coordinator: Taylor, Heather Lynn
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Coordinated Oral Health Promotion for Chicago Kids
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-
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-
Improving how schools deliver tooth care for kids using existing data
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-
Host genetics and oral microbiome: big-data clues to oral health
A large study will combine human genetics, saliva bacteria, and health records to understand why oral diseases like cavities and gum disease occur in different people.
-
Understanding dry mouth in adults using AI to read electronic records
A new project uses AI to find adults with xerostomia in medical records and predict who will have worse oral health outcomes.
-
Oral health effects of buprenorphine and methadone in people with opioid use disorder
This project will explore how common MOUD medicines like buprenorphine (including dissolvable forms) and methadone may affect oral health in people with opioid use disorder.
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.