RESEARCH
The Delta Dental Institute conducts, supports, and promotes research to help policymakers, educators, health care practitioners, businesses, and families make informed decisions about oral health. We partner with leading oral health experts, academic institutions, health care groups, and other organizations to explore important oral health topics and produce data-driven insights in pursuit of actionable solutions for improved oral and overall health.
An app to support oral hygiene care: Increasing attitudes, knowledge, and confidence in identifying oral health problems among caregivers of persons living with dementia
Cost-effectiveness of dental workforce expansion through the National Health Service Corps and Its association with oral health outcomes among U.S. children
Medical-dental integration models: A critical review of the last decade
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on oral health care use in the United States through December 2021
AADOCR Delta Dental Institute Oral Health Equity Research Award
The American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research and the Delta Dental Institute Oral Health Equity Award supports research that advances recommendations for greater oral health equity in populations that lack access to dental care or improves oral health literacy for underserved populations.
An annual study that analyzes the preventive dental care services used by Delta Dental members across the country (in an anonymized aggregate form) and prepares an annual preventive dental care study that identifies gaps in care that can help target potential oral health interventions as well as identify areas for further research.
Public opinion is in favor of prioritizing oral health care, yet almost half of U.S. adults have delayed care due to inflation and rising costs.
A new report from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, funded by the Delta Dental Institute, finds that integrating medical and dental services improves health care outcomes, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Examines the state of health literacy in America and its impact on oral and overall health outcomes, and draws on an existing body of literature to assess health literacy gaps and evaluate how improvements can enable Americans to make more informed decisions about their oral health.
A survey by the Delta Dental Institute assesses American's views on oral health during COVID-19. Results show that a significant majority of Americans believe routine dentist appointments remain important during the pandemic.
The Colorado Medical Dental Integration Project, supported by the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation, is an ongoing study working to increase access to dental hygiene services to vulnerable populations to improve the oral health of patients, and build sustainable medical-dental integration care delivery models.
This study examines the effectiveness of high-resolution ultrasound technologies in assisting with successful dental implant placement and assessment. It is potentially a valuable tool in evaluating long-term peri-implant tissue stability without the concerns of exposure to ionizing radiation.
To quantify the needs of older adults in the state, the Delta Dental of Iowa foundation conducted research on the over 500,000 adults over the age of 65 living in Iowa and surveyed their oral health care habits.
Dental resources
Protect my smile
Taking care of your oral health is an essential component of your overall health and well being. We have put together an array of dental resources designed to educate on a variety of dental issues that affect you and your family most - so that you can put your best smile forward.
