The American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) and the Delta Dental Institute (DDI) are proud to name Marvellous Akinlotan, PhD, Clinical Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University and Jason Semprini, PhD, Postdoctoral Scholar in the College of Public Health at the University of Iowa, as the 2024 recipients of the AADOCR DDI Oral Health Equity Research Award.

This year, the Oral Health Equity Research Award will support two research awards of $25,000 each. A summary of each research project is featured below:

• Dr. Akinlotan will conduct research on the expansion of Medicaid dental benefits and its impact on emergency dental visits in both rural and urban areas and develop an understanding of the role that social determinants of health play in accessing care.

• Dr. Semprini will pursue research that evaluates the effect of Medicaid dental service access on oral cancer treatment and outcomes and aims to provide evidence on the importance of dental health services in cancer care.

The award winners were recognized during the Opening Ceremonies of the 102nd General Session of the Internal Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research, the 53rd annual meeting of the AADOCR, and the 48th annual meeting of the Canadian Association for Dental Research, which took place on March 13.

Established in 2023 with generous support from the Delta Dental Institute, the Oral Health Equity Research Award supports research in the areas of 1) advancing recommendations for greater oral health equity in populations that lack access to dental care and 2) improving oral health literacy for underserved populations.

Click here to learn more about the AADOCR DDI Oral Health Equity Research Award.