  
|
Introduction
The School of Dentistry's faculty, students, research fellows, and visiting scholars generate new knowledge in the basic, applied and clinical sciences, as well as in the areas of health services, health policy and health education. The overarching emphasis is on the promotion of oral health and function. Discoveries in these areas not only offer the potential to improve oral health but also overall health. Research also is conducted in the areas of health services, health policy and health education. New knowledge is shared through presentations at scientific forums and publication in the scholarly literature. School of Dentistry scientists interact and collaborate with investigators on the UNC-CH campus, as well as with leading scientists and institutions elsewhere in the United States and abroad.
Clinical Research Studies
The UNC School of Dentistry's research center, the North Carolina Oral Health Institute, is the core establishment for conducting a wide range of dental related research. Many of these studies need volunteers or patients in order to obtain sufficient data.
Research Centers
The School of Dentistry has created several Research Centers and Institutes that allow faculty, students, research fellows, and visiting scholars with common interests to work together to study specific research questions. The centers typically involve scientists from multiple disciplines to work on these common problems in a unified manner.
Faculty Research
The School of Dentistry's faculty members conduct research that includes basic science studies, clinical and translational research studies, health services research, behavioral studies, and population studies. The goal of this research to improve oral health and overall health as well as generate new knowledge that results in improved dental treatment outcomes.
Student Research
The School of Dentistry's faculty provide mentorship opportunities to students, postdoctoral fellows, and visiting scholars. Under the guidance of the facultyand students pursue research and generate new knowledge in the basic, applied and clinical sciences, as well as in the areas of health services, health policy and health education. with an emphasis on the promotion of oral health and function. Discoveries are not only offering the potential to improve oral health but also overall health.