Multimillion dollar grant puts South Texas at forefront of dental research
SAN ANTONIO – A multimillion-dollar federal grant is putting South Texas at the forefront of groundbreaking dental research.
The Trouble Shooters found out where the money is going and how it could benefit patients like you.
We learned the research takes place in actual dental offices, and a good domino effect is that people in rural areas are getting access to a higher level of care.
In Lakehills, a town near Medina Lake with a population of a little more than 5,000 people, patients are helping dentists across the country learn more about oral cancer.
"It was very simple. It was simply a matter of gargling,” patient Merlene Day says.
Her dentist, Dr. Risé Martin at Lakehills Dental, used a simple kit to test for HPV, which often causes oral cancer.
"And it's all sent into a lab,” Dr. Martin explains. "I've actually lost my father and my brother to cancer. So when I found out that they were doing cancer research and that it was something we could test in the mouth, to me that was a no-brainer."
About 50 of her patients took part in the study, which has now ended.
"I actually had two of my patients that tested positive,” Dr. Martin says.
Her work is part of a nationwide network of dentists who conduct research right inside their offices.
"The National Dental Practice-Based Research Network,” explains Dr. David Cochran from UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry.
He manages our region and says so far, the San Antonio area has received about $6 million in federal grants.
"What has this money provided?" reporter Emily Baucum asks.
"We've done 17 studies in this last cycle for seven years,” Dr. Cochran responds.
The studies include the oral cancer screenings, plus better ways to manage cracked teeth as well as looking at how and why dentists prescribe opioids.
"And trying to find trends and best practices,” Dr. Cochran says.
The work requires a cross-section of patients both in big cities and rural areas where we’ve seen dental shortages. The latest national numbers show that more than four million people in Texas live in areas with dental shortages.
"This can save people's lives,” Dr. Martin says.
She would like to see every patient in America have access to regular oral cancer screenings.
"That would be your goal?" Baucum asks.
"That would be my dream,” Dr. Martin answers.
For patients like Day, it’s a chance to impact the world from her little corner of Texas.
"If you ever have a chance to be part of a study, do it,” Day says. “It will help somebody, somewhere. Even if it doesn't affect you."
To learn more about future studies, call UT Health San Antonio at (210) 562-5652.
By EMILY BAUCUM