Dental School Receives Grant

There is increasing evidence that gum disease and tooth loss raise the likelihood of heart disease and stroke. Researchers at the School of Dental Medicine have received a $911,556, five-year grant from the National Institute of Dental Research and the Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health to investigate this association.

One possible explanation is that tooth loss hampers chewing ability, which results in a reduced intake of food rich in fiber and antioxidant vitamins, specifically fruits and vegetables. That, in turn, may increase the risk of heart disease.

To test the idea, a team led by Kaumudi Joshipura, assistant professor of oral health policy and epidemiology, will examine the dental, diet, and medical histories of more than 50,000 men enrolled in the Harvard Health Professionals Follow-Up Study and 90,000 women in the Nurses' Health Study. Joshipura will work with Chester Douglas of the Dental School, and Frank Speizer and Walter Willett of the School of Public Health. Their investigation will include examination of more than 50,000 blood samples provided by the nurses and the male health professionals, which include dentists.

According to Rebecca Costello of the Office of Dietary Supplements, this study "could provide important new approaches for the prevention of coronary heart disease and stroke."