The University of Utah School of Dentistry has embarked on an ambitious eight-year project to investigate and address the root causes of oral health disparities, powered by $8 million in federal funding from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. This initiative, led by Brenda Heaton, PhD, aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of the factors contributing to oral health inequities and to identify effective interventions.
Oral health disparities are a significant public health issue, disproportionately affecting certain population groups due to disparities in financial resources, insurance coverage, accessibility of dental services, and provider decision-making. “The consequences of poor oral health affect the entire life course, and that fact is generally underappreciated,” says Heaton. The project will investigate these disparities on multiple levels, including population, patient, and provider factors.
At the population level, the research will examine how policies such as Medicaid and the geographic distribution of dental providers impact access to dental care. At the patient level, the focus will be on understanding the causes of fear and anxiety related to dental visits, which can deter individuals from seeking necessary care.
Additionally, the initiative will explore how patient-provider interactions and clinical decision-making contribute to oral health disparities. By addressing these complex interactions, the University of Utah aims to create targeted interventions that can effectively reduce oral health disparities and improve overall health outcomes.
See: “Getting to the Root of the Problem: $8M Funds Investigation into Oral Health Disparities” (September 20, 2024)
