Director, UI Public Policy Center
The University of Iowa College of Dentistry

  • Peter Damiano, DDS, MPH

  • Professor, Department of Preventive and Community Dentistry

  • Director, UI Public Policy Center

  • Expertise:

  • General dental care and dental care for patients with special needs

  • Education:

  • BS, University of Iowa, 1982
  • DDS, University of Iowa, 1986
  • MPH, University of California, Los Angeles, 1990
  • Certificate, Robert Wood Johnson Dental Health Services Research Scholar Program, 1993
  • Certificate, Public Health Service, AACPR Primary Care Policy Fellowship, 1993

  • To Make an Appointment:

  • Call 319-335-8232

Brief Professional Resume:

Dr. Damiano joined the College of Dentistry in 1990. He is a professor in the Department of Preventive and Community dentistry and director of the Public Policy Center.

Teaching Activities

: Dr. Damiano teaches both in the pre-doctoral and postdoctoral programs. For predoctoral students, he primarily teaches in the areas of public health, policy, legal and legislative issues, health insurance, health care delivery systems, and quality of care. For postdoctoral students, he primarily teaches research methods as well as mentors masters and doctoral level students.

Clinical Activities

: Dr. Damiano provides general dental care in the College of Dentistry's Special Care Clinic.

Research Activities

: Dr. Damiano's research focuses on access to primary dental and medical care, especially regarding maternal and child health issues; quality of care; public and private health insurance programs; and health policy. Current externally financed projects include: 1) an NIH-funded study of the early childhood dental issues; 2) a Commonwealth Fund-supported project evaluating the impact of the 2010 Health Care Reform Law on safety net providers in Iowa; 3) an evaluation of the Iowa Medicaid managed care program (MediPASS); 4) an evaluation of the IowaCare program; 5) a statewide study of the health and wellbeing of children and families in Iowa; and 6) outcomes of care for children with cleft lip and palate.

National or International Professional Appointments and Activities

: Dr. Damiano is a member of Omicron Kappa Upsilon, an honorary dental society; the Primary Care Fellowship Society; the American Dental Education Association; the American Association for Dental Research; Academy Health; the American Association of Public Health Dentistry; the American Public Health Association; the American Dental Association; and the American College of Dentists.