The UI College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics is a global leader in oral science and dental and craniofacial research

Dental Research with a lasting impact

At the forefront of innovation, the College of Dentistry is advancing oral health research with a mission to address both foundational and emerging challenges in dental science. Our research spans a wide range of topics, from improving patient outcomes and developing new technologies to tackling the underlying causes of oral diseases. Each study, whether in the lab or clinic, reflects our commitment to enhancing the quality of life for individuals and communities around the world.

Over the last several years, the UI College of Dentistry has more than doubled its external research funding from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), vaulting from 24th in the nation and $2.2M to 13th overall and $4.8M in the latest rankings.

8

major areas of research

# 13

nationally in NIDCR funding

$ 26M +

in funding since 2022

40 %

of DDS students participate in research

Research News

Jackie Olberding

NIH Awards Olberding Training Grant to Investigate Genetic Mechanisms of Jaw Development

Thursday, October 8, 2026
Jaclyn Olberding, a training grant recipient in the Iowa Institute for Oral Health Research and a PhD student in the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Genetics, has been awarded an NIH F31 grant to support her dissertation research.
Anvita Maharishi

Anvita Maharishi receives grant to improve the accuracy of advanced zirconia dental restorations

Wednesday, September 9, 2026
A new industry-sponsored research award from Ivoclar Vivadent will support work led by Anvita Maharishi to better understand how next-generation multilayered graded zirconia materials behave during manufacturing and how those behaviors may ultimately affect patient care.