The International Association for Dental Research (IADR) highlighted an article on future directions for the behavioral and social oral health sciences field, published on January 19 in the Journal of Dental Research.
Titled "Consensus Statement on Future Directions for the Behavioral and Social Sciences in Oral Health," the article identifies important areas of focus, including establishing behavioral and social theories and mechanisms related to oral health, the use of multiple and novel research methodologies, and the development and testing of new interventions using emerging technologies, the IADR said.
In addition, behavioral and social sciences are uniquely positioned to help advance racial, cultural, and other equity in oral health, and they need to be integrated into the education, training, and mentoring of all oral health clinicians and researchers, according to co-first author Dr. Daniel McNeil of West Virginia University.
The consensus statement has been endorsed by the IADR; the American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research; and more than 40 other organizations, the IADR said.
