University of Iowa College of Dentistry Student Research

Student Research at The University of Iowa College of Dentistry
The opportunity to conduct research with faculty mentors is a major reason why students choose to attend The University of Iowa College of Dentistry. Whether examining patients for dental-related stress or evaluating the response of cultured cells to implant materials, students are furthering dental knowledge daily at Iowa.
The Dows Institute for Dental Research of the College of Dentistry ranks among the most respected dental research organizations in the United States and the world. The research productivity of the full-time faculty scientists has grown substantially during the past 15 years.
Research at the College reflects the complex nature of today's health care needs. Many different approaches are employed, ranging from tissue culture or biochemical analysis to the exploration of new treatment modalities. Each collegiate researcher holds an appointment in a clinical department of the College of Dentistry. Clinical faculty, in turn, collaborate on research projects centered in the Dows laboratories. Although Dows faculty devote a substantial portion of their time to research, they also share teaching and patient care responsibilities with clinical faculty.
External funding for Dows Institute research tripled over the past decade.
The Dental Clinical Research Center offers opportunities for faculty and students to undertake studies that effectively combine laboratory and clinical research.
Educational training programs range from summer research experiences for high school students to postdoctoral fellowships.
The NIH Short Term Research Training Program and the Dows Student Research Awards support student research. The Dental Research Award Program enables highly qualified first-year students to conduct extended research throughout their four years of dental school.
Scholarships, awarded each year to qualified entering dental students, provide financial support for as many as four years, as long as an appropriate level of performance is maintained.
Dental Research Awards recognize academic excellence. The minimum review standards are a grade-point average of 3.50 (on a 4.00 scale) for all previous college work and a minimum score of 17 on the Total Science portion of the Dental Admissions Test. Teaching Awards are determined on an individual basis. Students have the opportunity to work with faculty on dental-related projects. Applicants for these scholarships must have an on-campus interview. Contact the College of Dentistry Office of Student Affairs for further details.
The Student Research Group (SRG) is the local chapter of the American Association of Dental Research, uniting students interested in dental research. The organization promotes student research and helps students become better acquainted with current dental research. Students and faculty attend meetings to discuss research ideas, projects, and avenues of funding. The SRG elects officers who organize and host meetings and social functions. Each year one officer attends the annual national meeting to vote in national elections and bring back information concerning dental research. Students also can run for and hold national offices.
Current student/faculty research includes:
impact of stress on the immune system in relation to the occurrence of cold sores
the effects of laser irradiation on the dentin and root of the tooth
whether the herpes virus can spread to the central nervous system through an exposed nerve
the development of a culture model to examine how soft tissues react with implant surfaces
comparison of the use of glycerine and water as media for placing calcium hydroxide in simulated root canals
the relationship between fear of dental procedures and superficial social processing
correlation of a clinical diagnosis of temporomandibular joint problems with what can be seen through imaging techniques and arthroscopy
why dental implant screws can loosen during use
clinical perceptions of dental educators concerning factors related to the treatment of HIV patients in the Midwest
the fracture resistance of teeth with bonded amalgams
the effectiveness of two different medications in the treatment of oral candida infections
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