Practitioners Engaged in Applied Research and Learning (PEARL)
The main objective of this National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)-sponsored research is to organize, train, inspire, supervise, and support a network of dental health practitioners to conduct research of immediate relevance to dentists and their patients. Specifically, the PEARL Network will test various clinical approaches and evaluate the effectiveness of strategies for the prevention, management, and treatment of a wide range of oral diseases and conditions through the conduct 16 - 22 short-term studies that will expand the research evidence base in oral health, and ultimately, positively impact the future of dentistry.
Dental practices and their patients with an interest in participating in practice-based oral health research. For most PEARL studies, the patient population includes the majority of people with adult teeth.
PEARL studies are conducted by more than 100 Practitioner-Investigators in 20 states serving a diverse patient population.