This research study explored the use of synthetic bone grafts using gelatin-coated 3D-printed polycaprolactone scaffolds to deliver miR-200c. The team was able to optimize the delivery system and amount of miR-200c by changing the gelatin type, concentrations, and crosslinking to optimize bone generation. As a result, the scaffold was able to effectively manage the release of miR-200c, which in turn, promotes better bone regeneration. The method used lays the foundation for a larger program of gelatin-based systems to deliver drugs and small molecules for gene therapy. 

The National Institutes for Dental and Craniofacial Research awarded Hongli Sun, Shaoping Zhang, and Erliang Zeng a $660k exploratory grant to investigate an innovative strategy for treating bone loss that tends to accompany periodontitis. This exploratory grant lays the foundation for the team to refine and develop this strategy for greater use in periodontitis prevention and treatment and for other uses where bone regeneration is needed.

Dr. Sukirth Ganesan, Assistant Professor in the Department of Periodontics, was interviewed by the Gazette. He discussed his recent research regarding oral disease and its relationship to diabetes and cognitive decline. 

Iowa Dentistry is proud to have played a significant role in a major clinical trial funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) that has yielded promising results in the fight against childhood tooth decay. Dr. Steven Levy, Wright-Bush-Shreves Professor of Research at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry, served as the site principal investigator at Iowa.

In a retrospective study at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics, the researchers aimed to identify the incidence rate of various pathologic entities in the periapical region around the roots of teeth. Although most lesions in this region are related to apical periodontitis, which is treated by endodontic therapy, this study found that around 8% of lesions around the roots of teeth were not endodontic in origin. In radiographs and clinical evaluation, these lesions may look similar to traditional endodontic lesions. This complicates diagnosis, and indicates that histologic investigations are required for a definitive diagnosis for lesions in this region.

The Liu Hong lab at the University of Iowa has developed a promising new method to suppress oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) using calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) nanoparticles to deliver miR-200c, a tumor-suppressing microRNA. In lab and animal studies, this approach reduced cancer cell growth, migration, and tumor size. For dental providers, this innovation could lead to adjunctive treatments that improve outcomes after surgery and reduce recurrence in high-risk patients. While still preclinical, this work points toward a future where precise, localized gene therapies enhance cancer care and support recovery in the head and neck region.

Julie Reynolds received a $300,000 grant to study the impact of Medicaid adult dental coverage on children's access to care. Studies have shown that reducing adult Medicaid dental benefits results in reduced access to dental care among low-income adults. Reynolds and her research team will be investigating the impact of Medicaid coverage on dental care for low-income children. The overall goal for the project is to improve access to dental care for children in low-income families, thereby improving oral health outcomes.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the impact that a person’s own perceived social status affects their access to and use of preventive dental care. As hypothesized, the study found that persons who perceived themselves as having a higher social status made greater use of preventive dental services than did those who perceived themselves as having a lower social status. One of the interesting finding of this study for patients with Medicaid dental insurance, perceive social status was more strongly correlated with use of preventive dental services than was socioeconomic status measures (i.e., education, occupation, and income). These findings suggest that a person’s perceived social status adds an important facet to our understanding of how social class, beyond mere socioeconomic status, affects use of dental care.