Core Research Area

Oral health is a vital component of our physical, social, and emotional well-being. Evidence increasingly links dental disease with poor health outcomes, including preterm birth and low birth weight, as well as heart disease. Since the 1990s, Iowa's oral health policy researchers have investigated a broad range of dental topics, focusing on conducting research that informs oral health policy at local, state, and national levels.

Most of this research has historically focused on children who face barriers to receiving dental care—especially those within Medicaid and other public programs, children with special health care needs, and those in foster care. Our researchers also evaluate the impact of policy changes on access to dental care, including adult populations. For example, our researchers are currently examining the impact of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on the oral health safety net in Iowa. This includes a comprehensive evaluation of the Iowa Dental Wellness Plan—the new state dental insurance program for Medicaid expansion adults.