Temple University’s Maurice H. Kornberg School of Dentistry has received a $3.6 million grant to lead a study focused on predicting the progression of periodontal disease.
The first component of the study, known as the Practice-based Research Integrating Multidisciplinary Experiences in Dental Schools, will develop continuity of care records for patients being treated for periodontal disease at Kornberg clinics, according to university news.
Once the records are developed, researchers will conduct a cohort study involving more than 1,000 patients with different stages of gum disease. Patients’ plaque and saliva samples will be collected and analyzed. Additionally, a nested case control study will be done to identify metagenomic biomarkers of severe disease progression, according to the university.
The U.S. National Institutes of Health provided the grant for the five-year project.
