Transforming Dental Research Through Data, Design, and Public Health
Epidemiology graduate Sayali Tungare, BDS, MPH, PhD, has taken on a new role as Assistant Professor in the Department of Clinical and Health Informatics at UTHealth Houston McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics. A trailblazer in dental public health research, Tungare is advancing our understanding of dental pain management and the prescribing patterns of opioids and antibiotics in dentistry. Her work bridges public health and clinical practice by applying human-centered design, mixed methods research, and large-scale EHR (electronic health record) data analysis to real-world challenges.
Tungare’s research is backed by both national and local funding, including support from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Her work demonstrates a strong commitment to improving patient care through data-driven approaches. Most recently, she received a grant from the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health to study opioid and antibiotic prescribing practices related to third molar (wisdom tooth) extractions across the United States.
Her publication record includes first-author and co-author articles in leading journals such as International Journal of Medical Informatics, BMC Oral Health, JDR Clinical & Translational Research, and the Journal of Patient Safety. Notable works include her 2023 paper on the design of dashboards to reduce dental opioid prescribing and a 2024 study exploring dentist and patient perspectives on postoperative pain and patient reported outcomes. She recently published another first-author article in JDR Clinical and Translational Research, further advancing the field of dental prescribing safety.
Beyond her publications, Tungare has shared her expertise through national platforms. She presented her findings during a webinar hosted by the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network in November 2023 and was a featured speaker at the American Association for Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research 2025 conference, where she participated in a symposium highlighting evidence of oral-systemic connections from national dental studies.
Tungare's work reflects the power of interdisciplinary training in epidemiology, informatics, and dentistry and the impact of rigorous, collaborative research in advancing public health. Her journey, from dental school and working with the Indian Dental Association in India to advancing federally funded research projects in the U.S, demonstrates how public health and informatics innovation can meaningfully shape clinical practice and health policy.