Over the years the Foundation has supported dental research at various institutions. The Foundation recently sponsored two studies at New Jersey Dental School. The first study, “Occlusal Hidden Caries,” looked at patterns of tooth decay among African-American teens in Newark between the ages of 11 and 16. Researchers followed students over time to study a possible link between early enamel lesions that could heal, and those that progress to cavities. Identification of the early lesions would allow for preventive treatment to be provided prior to the onset of decay.

The second study examined “Juvenile Aggressive Periodontal Diseases” in African-Americans in the same age group. Free dental treatment was available from New Jersey Dental School for any participant when needed dental treatment was identified in the study. This study received local and national recognition and the work begun by our Foundation’s partnership with New Jersey Dental School will be continued by the National Institute of Health.

If you are a New Jersey or Connecticut school and you have a dental research project you would like our Foundation to consider funding, please e-mail your research project idea to Kimberly Elmore at kelmore@deltadentalnj.com.