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

Hongli Sun and Jacob Miszuk

Hongli Sun's research team has their work recognized as a top‑cited article

Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Research led by Hongli Sun has received national recognition for its impact in the field of biomaterials science. A paper published in the Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B: Applied Biomaterials has been named one of the journal’s top 10 most‑cited articles published in 2024, according to the publisher Wiley.
IIOHR lab beakers

How research at Iowa is rethinking the way cavities are treated

Wednesday, March 25, 2026
Dental caries are the most prevalent disease in the world and at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics, researchers are exploring novel ways to stop caries progression and promote repair.