Leonardo Marchini, DDS, MSD, PhD
Professor and Department Executive Officer of Preventive and Community Dentistry
Staff Contact
Introduction
Dr. Leo Marchini, DDS, MSD, PhD, is Professor and DEO of the Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. An expert in geriatric dentistry, Dr. Marchini’s research centers on oral diseases and conditions affecting older adults, patient satisfaction with dental care, and innovative approaches to dental education.
Current Positions
- Professor of Preventive & Community Dentistry
Education
- PhD in Microbiology, University of São Paulo, Brazil (USP)
- Master of Science in Dentistry (MSD), Maxillofacial Prosthodontics, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São José dos Campos, Brazil
- Doctor in Dental Surgery (DDS), São Paulo State University, Brazil (UNESP)
Center, Program and Institute Affiliations
Licenses & Certifications
- Maxillofacial Prosthodontist
- Limited Teaching License, Ohio State Dental Board, Ohio
- Faculty Permit, Iowa Dental Board, Iowa
- State of Sao Paulo Brazil, Brazil
Selected Awards & Honors
- Ronald L Ettinger Award, Special Care in Dentistry Association, Chicago, Illinois
- Mentor of the Year 2016-2017, University of Iowa College of Dentistry Student Research Group, Iowa City, Iowa
- 2016-2017 Extramural Faculty of the Year, University of Iowa College of Dentistry Class of 2017, Iowa City, Iowa
- Colgate-GABA Award, European College of Gerodontology
- Distinguished Practitioner Fellow member of the National Academies of Practice, council of the National Academies of Practice
- 2020 James H. and Hermine E. McLeran Faculty Award, The University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics, IOWA CITY, Iowa
- Fellow of the International College of Dentists, International College of Dentists, USA
- Fellow of the International Association for Disability and Oral Health, International Association for Disability and Oral Health.
- Fellow of the Special Care Dentistry Association
Professional Memberships
- American Dental Association
- Special Care Dentistry Association (SCDA)
- American Dental Education Association
- European College of Gerodontology
- International Association for Dental Research
Selected Publications
- Marchini L, Desai J, Qian F. Tooth Grinding in Older Adults: A Retrospective Cross-Sectional Study. Spec Care Dentist. 2025 Sep-Oct;45(5):e70092. doi: 10.1111/scd.70092. PMID: 40888682.
- Ardengui LV, Pinto LR, Guimarães MB, Marchini L, Bulgarelli AF. Ageism Toward Older Adults Patients Among Undergraduate Dental Students: A Multicenter Hermeneutic Study in Southern Brazil. Eur J Dent Educ. 2025 May 9. doi: 10.1111/eje.13120. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40345970.
- Curtis J, Lewis SE, Pendleton C, Marchini L. (2025) Retrospective analysis of removable partial denture treatment in a state-sponsored dental school. The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prosdent.2025.02.041.
- Tôrres, L.H.d.N., Guimarães, M.B., Marchini, L., Rysavy, O., Barlow, P., Pendleton, C. and Bulgarelli, A.F. (2025), Ageism and Empathy Among Dental Students in Southern Brazil. Spec Care Dentist, 45: e70021. https://doi.org/10.1111/scd.70021
- Kettelkamp, K., Desai, J., Lewis, S., Comnick, C. and Marchini, L. (2025), Outcomes of Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) Treatment Among Older Adults: A Retrospective Analysis. Spec Care Dentist, 45: e70013. https://doi.org/10.1111/scd.70013
- Kettratad-Pruksapong, M., Khatami, S., Slack-Smith, L., Madiloggovit-Lower, J., Marchini, L., Owen, C.P. and MacEntee, M.I. (2025). Educating a Workforce for Dental Geriatrics. In Oral Healthcare and the Frail Elder (eds M.I. MacEntee, F. Müller, C.P. Owen and W.M. Thomson). https://doi.org/10.1002/9781394182176.ch8
- Marchini, L. and Mendes, M.S.S. (2025), Why Ageism in Dentistry Can't Be Ignored. Spec Care Dentist, 45: e70004. https://doi.org/10.1111/scd.70004
- Mendes MSS, Ferreira CL, Jardini MAN, Childs CA, Marchini L. The effects of compassionate care on oral health outcomes: A scoping review. Spec Care Dentist. 2025; 45:e13087. https://doi.org/10.1111/scd.13087
- Souza, L. M. de, Ardenghi, L. V., Goulart, A. S., Machado, J. da R., Tôrres, L. H. do N., Marchini, L., & Bulgarelli, A. F. (2024). Ageism towards older people among Dental students: does this need to be discussed during dental training?. Revista Da ABENO, 24(1), 2239 . https://doi.org/10.30979/revabeno.v24i1.2239
- Mendes MSS, Ferreira CL, Neves Jardini MA, Childs CA, Marchini L. Ageism combating strategies in oral healthcare: A systematic review. Spec Care Dentist. 2024;e13094. https://doi.org/10.1111/scd.13094
Selected Grants & Contracts
- Transforming Oral Health Access for Adults with Disabilities in Rural Iowa; Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation; Marchini, Leonardo (PI)
- Using a mobile application (app) to improve oral hygiene knowledge and care provision among caregivers of frail and dependent older adults; Delta Dental Institute; Ashida, Sato (Principal Investigator), Marchini, Leonardo (Principal Investigator)
- Final development of an ageism scale designed for dental professionals; Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation; Barlow, Patrick (Co-Investigator), Dukes, Kimberly (Co-Investigator), Marchini, Leonardo (Principal Investigator)
- Models of delivery and financing of dental care for frail older adults; ADA National Elder Care Advisory Committee (NECAC); Gluch, Joan (Investigator), Marchini, Leonardo (Investigator), Oishi, Matthew (Principal Investigator)
- Interprofessional Strategic Healthcare Alliance for Rural education: iSHARE; HRSA; Susan K Schultz (Principal Investigator), Marchini, Leonardo (Co-Investigator)
- Confirmatory validation study of a novel ageism scale designed for dental students; Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry; Marchini, Leonardo (Principal Investigator)
- Final Validation of a European Instrument to Measure Clinical Learning Environments for Dental Students (DECLEI) in American Dental Schools; University of Iowa College of Dentistry; Marchini, Leonardo (Principal Investigator)
- National Survey of oral health programs and services at Programs of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly; Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation; Marchini, Leonardo (Co-Investigator), Oishi, Matthew (Principal Investigator)
- Iowa Nursing Facility Oral Hygiene Intervention: A Pilot Study; Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation; Marchini, Leonardo (Principal Investigator)
- Iowa Nursing Facility Oral Hygiene Intervention:Microbiological Analysis; Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation; Marchini, Leonardo (Principal Investigator)