Research & Community Grants
Dr. Ramaa Balkaran has been awarded multiple grants to support research, education, and community initiatives focused on improving oral healthcare for underserved populations, particularly individuals with special needs. These grants have funded essential clinical equipment, patient treatment programs, and groundbreaking research on innovative dental solutions.
Through strategic funding and partnerships, Dr. Balkaran continues to advocate for accessible and high-quality dental care, ensuring that vulnerable communities receive the specialized treatment they need. Below is a list of key grants that have contributed to her mission of driving positive change in dentistry.
Community-Focused Grants
(Special Needs Dentistry & Patient Care)
Special Care Dentistry Treatment Grant for Vulnerable Children (September 2023)
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USD $10,000 – Anonymous donor to purchase and install dental equipment for digitizing x-rays in the UWI Special Needs Dental Clinic.
Dental Equipment Donation (September 2023)
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TTD $21,000 (~CAD $4,000) – Handheld x-ray unit donated by Omnident to enhance diagnostic capabilities for special needs patients.
Community Chest Organization Grant (September 2023)
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TTD $30,000 (~CAD $5,000) – Funding for dental treatment for children with special needs at the UWI Dental Clinic.
Community Chest Organization Grant (January 2021)
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TTD $90,000 (~CAD $15,000) – Grant to support expanded dental care services for children with special needs.
Campus Research and Publication Fund Community Outreach Grant (August 2019)
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TTD $9,000 (~CAD $1,500) – Funded a workshop on Special Needs Dentistry, later published in Frontiers in Oral Health.
Research Grants
(Clinical Studies & Academic Research)
Campus Research and Publication Fund Research Grant (Phase 1) (March 2019)
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TTD $38,000 (~CAD $7,000) – Research on the medium- and long-term effects of silver diamine fluoride on the oral flora in special needs populations.
Campus Research and Publication Fund Research Grant (Phase 2) (March 2019)
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TTD $38,333.76 (~CAD $7,000) – Follow-up funding to continue the silver diamine fluoride study, with ongoing data collection and manuscript preparation.