The Center for Oral Health Research (COHR)

The Center for Oral Health Research (COHR) is an interdisciplinary and translational research initiative dedicated to advancing the understanding of oral health and its intricate connections to systemic diseases to develop personalized biomarkers and therapeutics for improvement of oral health. Our research spans tooth development, oral immunology and microbiology, cancer biology, inflammation, and precision medicine.

Our work

Our research spans several critical areas of oral health and systemic disease, including oral inflammation and immunity, cancer biology, the oral microbiome, and the impact of environmental and genetic factors on tooth and enamel development. We focus on understanding how oral diseases are interconnected with systemic conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, and how biological mechanisms within the oral cavity contribute to broader health outcomes. Additionally, we explore how genetic and environmental factors, such as early-life stress, fluoride exposure, and genetic mutations, influence enamel and dentin mineralization, impacting susceptibility to dental caries and structural integrity of teeth. 

Through these efforts, COHR members are committed to bridging the gap between oral and systemic health, pioneering precision medicine approaches, and improving patient outcomes through cutting-edge scientific discoveries.