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Photo of  Yuqing Zhang, PhD

Yuqing Zhang, PhD

Asst Professor

CON Population Health Sciences | College of Medicine

Education/Credentials
  • PhD: College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Boston (Nursing)
  • MS: The University of Sydney (Clinical Research)
  • BSN: Peking Union Medical College (Nursing)
Contact Information
Research Interests

Dr. Zhang's research focuses on identifying oral health disparities and their implication for whole-body health, improving oral self-care behaviors as an integral part of chronic disease self-management among vulnerable populations including people living with chronic diseases, cancer survivors, and those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged. 

Peer Reviewed Publications

Shi, L., Simas, T. A. M., Lichtenstein, A. H., Zhang, Y., Sun, Q., & Hayman, L. L. 2025. Urinary enterolignan concentrations and cardiometabolic risk biomarkers in pregnant US women Nutrition Journal, 24 1, 82

Zhang, Y., Heelan-Fancher, L., Leveille, S., & Shi, L. 2023. Health disparities in the use of primary cesarean delivery among Asian American women. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20 19,

Zhang, Y., Leveille, S. G., Camhi, S.M, & Shi, L. 2023. Association of oral care with periodontitis and glycemic control among US adults with diabetes. BMC Oral Health, 23 1, 903

Zhang, Y.; Leveille, S. G.; Shi, L. 2022. Multiple Chronic Diseases Associated With Tooth Loss Among the US Adult Population Frontiers in Big Data, 5 , 932618

Zhang, Y., Leveille, S., Shi, L., & Camhi, S. 2021. Disparities in preventive oral health care behaviors and periodontal health among adults with diabetes: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2011-2016 Preventing Chronic Disease, 18 200594,

Zhang, Y., Leveille, S., & Edward, J. 2020. Wisdom teeth, periodontal disease, and C-reactive protein in the U.S. adults Public Health, 187 , 97-102

Heelan‐Fancher, L., Shi, L., Zhang, Y., Cai, Y., Nawai, A., & Leveille, S. 2019. Impact of continuous electronic fetal monitoring on birth outcomes in low‐risk pregnancies. Birth, 46 2, 311-317

Ellenbecker, C. H., Nwosu, C., Zhang, Y., & Leveille, S. 2017. PhD education outcomes: results of a national survey of nursing PhD alumni Nursing Education Perspectives, 38 6, 304-312

Fawcett, J., Aronowitz, T., AbuFannouneh, A., Usta, M. A., Fraley, H. E., Howlett, M. S. L., ... & Zhang, Y. 2015. Thoughts about the name of our discipline Nursing Science Quarterly, 28 4, 330-333

Chen, X., He, T., Sun, L., Zhang, Y., & Feng, X 2010. A randomized cross-over clinical trial to evaluate the effect of a 0.454% stannous fluoride dentifrice on the reduction of oral malodor. American Journal of Dentistry American Journal of Dentistry, 23 3, 175-178

Day, T. N., Einwag, J., Hermann, J. S., He, T., Anastasia, M. K., Barker, M., & Zhang, Y 2010. A clinical assessment of the efficacy of a stannous-containing sodium fluoride dentifrice on dentinal hypersensitivity Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice, 11 1, E001-E008

Feng, X., Chen, X., Cheng, R., Sun, L., Zhang, Y., & He, T 2010. Breath malodor reduction with use of a stannous-containing sodium fluoride dentifrice: A meta-analysis of four randomized and controlled clinical trials American Journal of Dentistry , 23 Spec Iss B, 27B-31B

Zhao, D., Zhang, Y., Sun, Li., & He, T 2010. A comparative clinical study to evaluate the plaque removal efficacy of two kinds of manual toothbrush Chinese Journal of Conservative Dentistry, 20 5, 293-296

Li, Y., He, T., Sun, L., Zhang, Y., Li, X., Wang, Y., Zhao, S., & Tang, R. 2007. Extrinsic stain removal efficacy of a dual-phase dentifrice American Journal of Dentistry, 20 4, 227-230

Abstract Publications

Zhang, Y., Leveille, S., Berger, K., Cohen, R., & Bakas, T. 2025. Understanding oral self-care practices among people with diabetes (PWD) – A qualitative study Diabetes, 74 S1, 1894LB


Zhang, Y., Berger, K., & Leveille, S 2024. A health communication assessment of oral self-care contents in web-based education materials for people with diabetes Diabetes, 73 S1, 1819LB


Zhang, Y., Berger, K., Ryan, G., Alhorani, F., & Leveille, S. 2024. Feeling too blue to floss? - Association between depression and oral self-care among US adults with and without diabetes. Western Journal of Nursing Research, 46 1-suppl, 9S https://doi.org/10.1177/01939459241233357


Zhang.Y., Leveille, S., Berger, K., Camhi, S. M., & Shi, L. 2023. Oral care behaviors among the US population with diabetes Diabetes, 72 Suppl 1, 32-LB


Heelan-Fancher, L., Zhang, Y., Shi, L., & Leveille, S. 2020. Birth outcome associated with induction and augmentation: a population health perspective Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 49 6, S26


Heelan-Fancher, L., Shi, L., Zhang, Y., Cai, Y., Nawai, A., & Leveille, S. 2018. Evidence for individualized maternity care in labor Nursing Research, 67 2,


Zhang, Y., & Leveille, S. 2018. Chronic diseases associated with tooth loss among US adults aged 65 and over Innovation in Aging, 2 Suppl 1, 706


Zhang, Y., Leveille, S., & Edward, J. 2018. Examining relationships between presence of wisdom teeth, periodontal disease, and C-reactive protein in the US adult population Nursing Research, 67 2, E22


Zhang, Y., Leveille, S., & Cromwell, J. 2017. Chronic diseases associated with tooth loss in the US adult population Nursing Research, 66 2, E68


Ellenbecker, C., Zhang, Y., Nwosu, C., & Leveille, S. 2016. What are the predictors of successful research careers? A National survey of nursing PhD alumni Nursing Research, 65 2, E89


Tsegai, N., You, T., Ogawa, E., Thapa, S., Tierno, L., Zhang, Y., & Leveille, S. 2016. Global pain severity is associated with lower extremity strength in older adults with multisite pain Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 48 5 Suppl 1, 717


Li, X., Fan, X., Yin, W., He, T., Zhang, Y., & Sun, L. 2011. Anti-Gingivitis efficacy of a Stannous containing fluoride toothpaste Journal of Dental Research, 90 Spec Iss A, 2828


Feng, X., Cheng, C., Chen, X., Zhang, Y., Sun, L., & He, T. 2010. Meta-analysis on the breath benefits of stannous-containing sodium fluoride dentifrice. Journal of Dental Research, 89 Spec Iss A, 597


He, T., Sun, L., Li, X., & Zhang, Y. 2010. Comparative anti-plaque efficacy of two dentifrices Journal of Dental Research, 89 Spec Iss A, 593


He, T., Sun, L., Zhang, Y., & Li, X. 2010. Superior anti-plaque efficacy of a stannous-containing sodium fluoride dentifrice Journal of Dental Research, 89 Spec Iss A, 594


Zhang, Y., Chen, X., Feng, X., Sun, L., & He, T. 2008. The oral-malodor reduction efficacy of a 0.454% stannous fluoride dentifrice Journal of Dental Research, 87 Spec Iss A, 1539


Li, Y., Tang, R., Zhao, S., Wang, Y., Zhang, Y, Sun, L., Li, X., & He, T. 2006. Extrinsic stain removal efficacy of a dual-phase dentifrice Journal of Dental Research, 85 Spec Iss A, 673