©2008 The University of Iowa College of Dentistry
Major Research Programs
Research at the College of Dentistry reflects the complex nature of today's health care needs. The scientific basis
of dentistry encompasses the diverse tissue systems of the oral cavity and its associated orofacial structures. Many
difference approaches are employed, ranging from cell culture and molecular biology to the exploration of new
treatment modalities.
Although research is organized into several major programs, a strength of the College of Dentistry has been the
consistent level of interaction and collaboration among individuals and across program boundaries. Many projects
transcend areas of specialization and are strengthened by shared expertise.
Biomaterials, Bone and Tissue Engineering
Drs.
Georgia Johnson, Galen
Schneider, Clark Stanford
The replacement of tissues and organs with synthetic materials has
become an increasingly important therapeutic modality and raises
important questions about tissue response to a variety of substances.
In dentistry, the clinical use of dental implants has intensified
interest in collegiate faculty research, which examines changes in
implant surfaces that may affect the attachment of soft tissue to
implant surfaces, facilitate integration of a prosthesis with bone,
or address the relationship between osteoporosis and oral health.
Cariology, Fluoride and Microbiology Program
Drs. Jeffrey Banas, David
Drake, Ron
Ettinger, James
Wefel
Research on dental caries explores factors responsible for
destruction of tooth enamel, developmental genetic factors that
contribute to caries susceptibility or resistance and methods for
preventing the disease. Changes in the demographic structure of our
society and the increasing number of individuals who retain their
teeth into old age has increased the important of studying lesions
that occur on root surfaces exposed by receding gingival tissue.
Current research investigates bacteriological and immunological
factors that are important in caries development. Research continues
on the use of fluoride to prevent lesion development or to
remineralize existing lesions as well as the use of fluoride
restorative materials. Recent projects are investigating the use of a
novel 1% chlorhexidine gel to reduce S. mutans levels in children at
high risk for developing early childhood caries.
Craniofacial Anomalies Research
Drs. Andrew Lidral ,
Jeffrey Murray
Craniofacial anomalies are among the most common forms of birth defects. The goal of this research
group is to identify both genetic and environmental causes for facial birth defects, with a primary
focus on orofacial clefting, including cleft lip and cleft palate. Our center builds upon a
40-year history of clinical and research studies on craniofacial anomalies at The University of
Iowa and continues the tradition established over the past decade of interdisciplinary and inter-instituional
research. The research includes not only a broad-based internal constituency but collaborative projects and
interactions with colleagues in the United States and overseas. These projects offer access to novel
populations and innovative techniques. A variety of approaches are utilized, including genetic and
epidemiologic studies of human populations, and the development of animal models that are characterized
through molecular biological and biochemical analyses, in addition to a variety of sophisticated
imaging techniques.
Epidemiology, Behavior, Health Policy & Outcomes
Drs. Peter
Damiano, Deborah
Dawson, Michael
Kanellis, Ray
Kuthy, Steve
Levy, John
Warren
Research addresses several areas of dentistry. Fluoride issues
include the epidemiology of fluoride intake and dental fluorosis,
dietary fluoride supplement use, and fluoride assays of local water
supplies. Public health issues include researching the utilization of
dental services by low income children, oral disease in the elderly,
geriatric dental care services, the effects of various developmental
disabilities and medical illnesses on oral health, and conducting
longitudinal studies, which demonstrate the effects of nutritive and
non-nutritive sucking and feeding devices on oral facial growth and
development. Instructional technology issues focus on designing,
producing and evaluating computer-based patient simulations;
creating, storing and retrieving digital images, and collaborating
with organizations outside the dental school to develop
computer-based for assessing dental students and practitioners.
Research includes evaluating clinical problem-solving and cognitive
skills through the use of patient simulations and also new
technologies (hardware and software).
Mucosa, Immunology and Oral Cancer
Drs. Kim Brogden, Georgia
Johnson, Christopher
Squier, Philip
Wertz
The response of the lining of the mouth and associated skin to
environmental factors, local and systemic disease, the aging process,
and traumatic injury, is not well understood. Nevertheless, such
responses have important implications for preventing or treating
periodontal disease, oral cancer, and other soft tissue diseases.
Investigating the chemical composition, structure, and permeability
of this system of tissues will lead to a better understanding of the
barrier function of these tissues as a defense against microorganisms
and carcinogens. Studying the action of tobacco components and
alcohol on the mouth lining will help better define the etiology of
oral cancer and how tobacco use may contribute to periodontal
disease. And understanding the interactions between the immune system
and oral cancer will lead to better treatment strategies.
Institute for Clinical and Translational Sciences
Clinical and Translationsal Research: the CTSA
Dr. Clark Stanford
In 2007, The University of Iowa became one of only 24 research institutions in the nation to be
awarded a Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) from the National Institutes of Health
(NIH). The five-year, $33.8 million award is the second largest research award in UI history and
complements funding from the University and the College of Medicine.
The CTSA helps fund the UI's
Institute for Clinical and Translational Science, an overarching structure for all clinical and
translational research at the UI. The Institute includes researchers from several different colleges,
including the College of Dentistry. Dr. Clark Stanford, associate dean for research, and professor,
Department of Prosthodontics, oversees the Key Function on Novel and Translational Methodologies with
an emphasis in nanoscience along with Professor Vicki Grassian in the Department of Chemistry and the
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Institute at the University of Iowa (NNI@UI).
Drs. Clark Stanford, James Wefel
The Dental Clinical Research Center (DCRC),
located on the third floor of the dental college, continues
to have support from the CTSA to help NIH-funded investigators with oral and craniofacial research.
Oral Microbiology Outreach Research
Dr. David Drake
Dental caries is the single most prevalent chronic disease of childhood.
The prevalence of ECC is 25% among U.S. children 2-5 years (NHANES III). More recently, NHANES data from 1999-2002
found that the prevalence of caries in young children had increased from 24% to 28% in 2- to 5-year-old children.
Among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) children, however, the disease is much higher, with 79% of 2-5
year-old AI/AN children having ECC (HIS, 2001). The current study's goals are to identify risk factors
for ECC among AI/AN infants and toddlers and to determine if S. mutans alone, or in combination with
environmental and behavioral factors, increases risk of caries in Native American children.
Oral microbiology studies are also being conducted in Appalachia to determine different clonal types of S.
mutans in caries-free and caries-active families; to create a “library on a slide” microarray of all
genetically unique (by AP-PCR and pulsed field gel electrophoresis) S. mutans collected; identify genes
that occur between 40-60% of the S. mutans strains by probing genes that vary in prevalence against
the collected S. mutans strains; and estimate the proportion of known virulence genes that occur among
S. mutans individuals in high caries families and low caries families.