#  Population Health and Health Services Research 

 



At the Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM), we are committed to advancing population health and health services research across the globe that bridges the gap between oral health and overall health. We conduct studies examining causes of health outcomes (e.g., social drivers of health and other risk factors) and how innovative health interventions and collaborative initiatives impact oral health and general health outcomes and quality of care.

HSDM is pioneering models that integrate oral health into broader healthcare systems as well as models that integrate general health into oral health care training and care delivery. Our work also addresses oral health access, utilization, and quality and cost-effectiveness of oral health care delivery and its resulting health outcomes. This work spans primary care integration, older adult care, machine learning/AI, and interdisciplinary research to promote cost-effective care delivery, improve health outcomes, and ensure access to care for all.

Population health and health services research at the HSDM focuses on developing national and global models for integrated, inter-professional training and health care delivery that includes oral health as part of overall health.



 

 

##  Advancing integrated health care through innovation and research 

HSDM leads innovative programs in **primary care integration**, **older adult care**, and **machine learning/AI**, advancing cost-effective, integrated healthcare models that improve health outcomes and expand access to care. These initiatives focus on developing national and global models for inter-professional training and healthcare delivery that fully incorporate oral health into overall health.

 

 



  [### Initiative to Integrate Oral Health and Medicine

 ](/initiative-integrate-oral-health-and-medicine)The Initiative brings together academic experts and healthcare leaders to transform health education, care delivery, and financing systems. The goal is to create equitable, accessible dental care and improve oral and systemic health for all.



 

   ![Two clinicians talking to a patient sitting in a dental chair.](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-01/Initiative-program.jpg?h=7e8ac201&itok=fy1mkSFZ) 

 

 

 

  [### National Center for Equitable Care for Elders

 ](https://ece.hsdm.harvard.edu/)NCECE is a training and technical assistance center dedicated to supporting healthcare professionals who care for older adults. It offers culturally competent care models, inter-professional training, educational resources, and technical support to enhance the care of this vulnerable population.



 

   ![Cute senior old woman making a heart shape with her hands and fingers](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-01/NCECE-hero.jpg?h=c2cbf6c8&itok=VTpzABbZ) 

 

 

 

  [### 100 Million Mouths Campaign

 ](https://prod-dental.drupalsites.harvard.edu/100-million-mouths-campaign)Improving health equity, the 100 Million Mouths Campaign (100MMC) trains oral health champions to integrate oral health into primary care programs, expanding access to care for millions. Learn more about the campaign.



 

   ![Close-up of a mouth open wide, with gloved hands holding a dental pick and mirror in front.](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-10/teeth%20exam.jpg?itok=295fpgW5) 

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

##  Related news 

 



  [### Mapping dental deserts in the U.S.

 ](/news/mapping-dental-deserts-us) January 14, 2025 

New HSDM research reveals widespread lack of access to care



 

 

   ![Map of dental deserts](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-01/dental%20deserts%20map_0.jpg?itok=o296YYmz) 

 



 

 

   [### Tackling algorithmic bias in dentistry

 ](/news/2024/11/tackling-algorithmic-bias-dentistry) November 13, 2024 

 A new initiative, the Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summer Research Program, brought two Harvard undergraduates to Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) this summer to study ways to promote algorithmic fairness in oral health research. The... 

 

 

   ![digital display](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2024-11/AI-Algo.jpg?itok=Jbtj59Cb) 

 



 

 

   [### AI, dentistry, and ethics: prioritizing transparency and equitable access

 ](/news/ai-dentistry-and-ethics-prioritizing-transparency-and-equitable-access) June 10, 2024 

 Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning tools have begun changing the course of dental medicine, helping providers identify patients at heightened risk of oral disease, diagnose and treat oral health problems sooner, and virtually expand their... 

 

 

   ![Woman wearing a virtual reality headset.](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/dental/files/vr-headset.jpg?itok=YrCrYCmZ)