Idaho State to establish oral health institute

Idaho State University (ISU) has received a $329,670 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration to help create the ISU Idaho Oral Health Institute (IOHI). The goal of the Institute will be to provide a center for oral health education, research, and clinical practice in Idaho and the Pacific Northwest, as well as nationally and internationally.

These grant funds will be used to purchase distance-learning education equipment that will link five ISU oral clinics, two classrooms, and one conference room.

"We are thrilled that we received this grant to start this exciting, multifaceted project," said Kathleen Hodges, ISU dental hygiene chair and professor and the grant's principal investigator. "This will greatly expand our capabilities to offer state-of-the-art education throughout the state. The grant will help us focus on education and research in Idaho on the oral-systemic link, the relationship between oral health and other health problems such as cardiovascular disease."

The Institute will provide education in contemporary clinical methods to oral health professionals and continuing education to health professionals, and facilitate collaboration among oral health and health professions researchers across the U.S. Further out, the IOHI will also create an oral health care facility -- including classroom, clinics, and laboratories -- for education and research.

The Idaho Oral Health Institute is a cooperative venture between the ISU Department of Dental Hygiene and Department of Dental Sciences.