Research
Research that Drives Discovery and Learning
At HSDM, research is more than a pursuit—it’s a foundation. It shapes how we teach, how we care for patients, and how we address complex health challenges around the world. From early student involvement to pioneering faculty studies, research is central to our mission.
At the forefront of dental research and care
Research at HSDM brings together science, medicine, and public health to improve lives. Our work includes lab discoveries, clinical studies, and real-world solutions that make dental care better and more accessible to all.
Our researchers focus on:
- Basic and translational science – Studying how the body works to better understand oral and overall health.
- Clinical research – Testing new treatments and technologies to improve patient care.
- Population health and health services – Using data, public health tools, and new technologies like AI to reduce gaps in care and reach more people.
What makes HSDM unique is how we connect research in the lab to care in the clinic and beyond. Our researchers work across fields and with partners around the world to make a real difference.
Explore our research areas
As the only Harvard school with its own clinical facility, HSDM offers students a unique opportunity to engage in hands-on clinical research and explore the intersections of science, care delivery, and health policy.
Research under threat
HSDM’s research spans the laboratory, the clinic, and the community. It advances science while shaping how care is delivered and how policy is made. Federal support plays a vital role in sustaining this work and ensuring continued progress across all areas of oral health.
$2B
in federal research funding frozen across Harvard
$9M
in annual research funding frozen at HSDM
16%
of HSDM’s annual budget depends on federal research support
The cost of cuts to federally funded research
Threats to funding could bring critical advancements in oral medicine and education to a standstill
At Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM), researchers have spent their careers tackling some of the most urgent challenges in science and oral health. Recent cuts to Harvard’s federally funded research have put much of their work at risk. Hear from HSDM principal investigators about the impact on their research, their teams, and the future of care.
Delaying solutions to chronic oral diseases
Without federal support, Dr. Silva’s research on gum disease could stall, delaying breakthroughs that millions with chronic oral conditions urgently need for better care.
The ripple effect of healthcare workforce training cuts
Dr. Christine Riedy Murphy’s federally funded projects built capacity to train providers in age-friendly, community-based care. Her work reached over 1,400 health centers serving 31 million people—until funding was disrupted.
Shaping policy care programs
Dr. Sung Eun Choi’s NIH-supported research uses data science and health policy modeling to address disparities in pediatric dental care. With federal funding halted, timely evidence to inform Medicaid and access policies is at risk.
Research updates and insights
Student Research Day highlights innovation and discovery at HSDM
Graduating students presented research spanning artificial intelligence, clinical care, and global health
Research shows that the timing of antibiotics matters when treating gum disease
A first-of-its-kind clinical trial shows that administering antibiotics before periodontal treatment may better stabilize beneficial bacteria and support long-term oral health
HSDM researchers join national effort to improve care for temporomandibular disorders
Multidisciplinary research initiative aims to transform how temporomandibular disorders are understood, diagnosed, and treated
Research events
Precision Regenerative Medicine: From Multiscale Biomaterials Sciences to Immunoengineering
Support our research
Help drive research that improves oral health and patient care. Your support strengthens HSDM’s leadership in science and its impact around the world.
Awards & lectures
Recognize the innovators advancing oral-health research and education. HSDM’s awards and lectures honor lasting contributions while inspiring the next generation of discovery.
Office of Research
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