Oral Health Equity Research Award Recipients Announced

Marvellous Akinlotan, PhD, a clinical assistant professor at Texas A&M University, and Jason Semprini, PhD, a postdoctoral scholar in the College of Public Health at the University of Iowa, have been honored with the 2024 American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research-Delta Dental Institute Oral Health Equity Research Award for their impactful research proposals. Akinlotan will investigate the impact of Medicaid dental benefits expansion on emergency dental visits, focusing on social determinants of health’s role in care accessibility. Meanwhile, Semprini’s research will assess Medicaid dental service access effects on oral cancer treatment outcomes, shedding light on the significance of dental health services in cancer care. These $25,000 awards, presented during the 102nd General Session of the Internal Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research, signify a commitment to advancing oral health equit. This initiative underscores the crucial role of research in addressing disparities in dental care access and outcomes for underserved populations. Click here to read more.