Dr. John J. Warren, professor in the Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry and graduate program director for Dental Public Health, has received a major grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The award, totaling $1.86 million over five years, will support the expansion of community-based training for graduate students and residents in the Dental Public Health program at the University of Iowa.

The grant, which officially began on July 1, provides full tuition, travel support, and a substantial stipend for trainees. Its primary goal is to strengthen the connection between academic training and real-world public health practice by increasing hands-on experiences in Iowa’s public health clinics.

“This project is about building a stronger dental workforce that’s better position to meet the needs of underserved populations and lead community oral health programs,” said Dr. Warren. “We’re maintaining our strong academic and research foundation, but now we’re adding a much deeper community engagement component.”

The first year of the grant will serve as a planning phase, during which the team will collaborate with four Iowa-based community health organizations to design immersive, clinic-based training experiences. Starting in July 2026, two trainees will begin their rotations, spending time in clinics such as:

• Eastern Iowa Health Center (Cedar Rapids)
• Broadlawns Dental Clinic (Des Moines)
• Community Health Care, Inc. (Davenport, Muscatine)
• Community Health Centers of Southeastern Iowa (Columbus City, West Burlington, Keokuk)

Faculty involved in the project include Dr. Warren (project director), along with Drs. Julie Reynolds, Steve Levy, Michelle McQuistan, Brendan Young, Jennifer Hartshorn, and Jennifer Sukalski from Preventive and Community Dentistry, and Dr. Justine Kolker from Operative Dentistry.

This initiative represents a significant step forward in preparing future dental public health leaders to meet the needs of underserved communities across Iowa.

Research reported on this website is being supported by the HRSA under Award Number 1 D88 HP54920-01-00. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the Health Resources and Services Administration.