Jeong wins Global Health Innovation and Research Faculty Award
Ji Wook Jeong, DMD, MSD is a 2026 recipient of the Global Health Educational Innovation and Research Faculty Award from the UTHealth Houston Office of Global Health Initiatives. Photo by Kyle Rogers.
Ji Wook Jeong, DMD, MSD, associate professor in the Department of Endodontics at the School of Dentistry, has received the 2026 Global Health Educational Innovation and Research Faculty Award from the UTHealth Houston Office of Global Health Initiatives.
Jeong’s project, titled “Improving Equity in Dental Pain Recognition for Patients with Dementia Through Multimodal AI-Assisted Assessment: A Pilot Study,” was selected for funding through the competitive faculty award program, which supports innovative educational and research initiatives that advance global health and improve health outcomes for underserved populations.
Patients with dementia may be unable to recognize, describe or communicate their pain effectively, even when experiencing severe dental pain associated with conditions such as symptomatic irreversible pulpitis or symptomatic apical periodontitis. This communication barrier can contribute to delayed diagnosis, inadequate pain management and disparities in access to appropriate dental care.
“I am honored with this recognition and grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues across UTHealth Houston on this initiative,” Jeong said. “Through this project, we hope to develop a more objective and equitable approach to identifying dental pain in patients with dementia who may not be able to communicate their discomfort effectively.”
The award recognizes projects that demonstrate innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the potential to create meaningful impact in global health.
Jeong’s research focuses on improving the recognition and assessment of dental pain in patients with dementia using artificial intelligence-assisted tools, an approach aimed at reducing disparities in care for a vulnerable patient population.
A diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics, Jeong earned his DMD degree from Kyunghee University in Seoul, South Korea, and later completed the Advanced Program in Endodontics at the UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry, where he received his MSD and specialty certificate in endodontics. He serves as course director for Endodontic Surgery and has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications while lecturing nationally and internationally. Jeong will become a tenured faculty member at the School of Dentistry effective Sept. 1, 2026, pending approval by The University of Texas System Board of Regents.