Research Program to Investigate Post-Surgical Pain at the University of New England

The University of New England College of Dental Medicine in Portland, Maine, is part of a groundbreaking initiative, the Collaborative Clinical Practice-Based Research Program for Dental Schools, which has received a $4.4 million grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Led by the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, the project aims to establish a clinical research network for training future clinician-scientists. The University of New England’s Oral Health Center will serve as a research site, engaging approximately 40 dental medicine students over 5 years. The primary objective is to identify predictors of post-operative pain in patients recovering from oral surgeries such as root canals or tooth extractions. Students will collect saliva samples and monitor patients’ pain levels during the healing process, contributing to the development of a system for identifying individuals with elevated pain levels. The program aims to equip dentists with strong research backgrounds, fostering better health outcomes, particularly in underserved areas. Click here to read more.