About

Tamara Cadet is an Associate Professor in the Division of Community Oral Health at Penn Dental Medicine. Her role involves engaging in research and educational activities within the department, contributing to the advancement of community oral health initiatives. She is accessible via phone at 215-898-5501 and can be contacted by email at cadet@upenn.edu. Her work supports the mission of Penn Dental Medicine to improve oral health through community engagement, research, and education.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Psychology
• Gerontology
• Nursing
• Family medicine

Selected publications

• Using psychometric and focus groups methods to assess patients' attitudes regarding the role of dental providers and vaccinations for COVID-19 and HPV

  Frontiers in Oral Health · 2026-02-20

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Objectives: To develop a initial validated survey for assessment of patient perceptions around dental provider role in HPV and COVID-19 vaccination. Methods: Using a parallel convergent mixed methods design, this study reports the initial validation of a survey through the integration of psychometric and focus group methods and presents findings of patient perceptions of dentist involvement in vaccine efforts through a focus group in Philadelphia, PA. Results: A previously tested pilot survey was modified based on the integrated results. The final survey was organized according to factor analysis and reflected the focus group recommendations. The changes reduced the survey by 25% from 22 to 16 questions. Two overarching themes to better understand perceptions of dentist involvement in vaccine efforts identified from the focus group were: 1. attitudes related to appropriateness and acceptability of dental providers educating and administering vaccinations; and 2. how lack of knowledge hindered intentions to seek vaccination from dental providers. Conclusion: The combination of the psychometric and focus group analyses resulted in a final survey to assess patient's attitudes and acceptance of HPV and COVID-19 vaccination, including vaccination status, knowledge about the impacts of HPV and COVID-19, perceptions of dental care providers' role, and comfort in having a dental provider administer HPV and COVID-19 vaccines. Practice and policy implications: This initial validity process of the survey from creates an opportunity to assess patient acceptance of dentist roles in vaccine efforts around HPV and COVID-19. Further validation of the final form is pending.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Social Needs in Cancer Survivors: A Scoping Review and Future Directions

  Current Oncology Reports · 2025-05-05 · 2 citations

  reviewOpen accessSenior author
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Social and behavioral determinants of health (SBDOH) data collection at time of breast cancer diagnosis: Results of a stepped-wedge, cluster randomized trial.

  JCO Oncology Practice · 2025-10-01

  article

  92 Background: Screening for unmet social needs can identify barriers to cancer care, but facilitating screen completion is challenging. We report findings from NCT06019988, which compared SBDOH data collection tools and modalities in breast cancer patients. Methods: Females ≥18y newly diagnosed with breast cancer at our institution were referred from 3/13/24-3/14/25. Patients with previously diagnosed disease, non-English primary language, or new patient visit (NPV) scheduled<48h after referral were excluded. Patients were randomized to 1 of 3 validated screening tools: Accountable Health Communities Health-Related Social Needs tool, Health Leads Screening ToolKit, or National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer and Problem List (NCCN DT). Enrolled patients first received their assigned tool via the MyPennMedicine (MPM) EHR patient portal. After 48h, non-completers were randomized to receive the same tool by text or phone. Patients with incomplete screens by time of NPV were given a final opportunity to complete the tool at NPV in person. Chi-square, ANOVA, and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to assess differences across groups. Results: Of 559 referred patients, 187 were enrolled and randomized, and 6 were lost to follow up, yielding a final cohort of 181 (median age 59y). Tool assignment was balanced; 134 (74%) completed a screen prior to NPV. More than half (51.4%, n=93) completed a screen via MPM, with higher rates in White vs Black and privately vs government- and uninsured patients (Table). Graduate degree holders had higher rates of MPM completion (67.3%, n=37) vs those with ≤high school education (HSEd, 40.7%, n=11, p<0.001). Among non-MPM completers, more were randomized to phone (55.7%, n=49) than text (43.2%, n=38), but text had a higher completion rate (55.3%, n=21) than phone (42.9%, n=21, both p<0.001). Education was the only factor with statistically significant differences in completion by screening tool: NCCN DT had the highest rate among patients with ≤HSEd (n=13/25, 52%, p=0.03). Overall, 29.8% (n=54) of patients reported a social need or requested social work referral. Conclusions: In our pragmatic trial, patients who were Black, had non-private insurance, or ≤HSEd were least likely to complete SBDOH screens via EHR portal. NCCN DT had the highest completion among those with ≤HSEd. Nearly 1/3 of patients reported a social need, underscoring the importance of early, multi-modal SBDOH screening. Clinical trial information: NCT06019988 . N (%) MPM CompletedN (%) MPM Not CompletedN (%) p-value Race/ethnicity NH White, 105 (58) 65 (61.9) 40 (38.1) <0.001 NH Black, 55 (30.4) 16 (29.1) 39 (70.9) Hispanic, 9 (5) 7 (77.8) 2 (22.2) Other, 12, (6.6) 5 (41.7) 7 (58.3) Insurance Private, 122 (67.4) 72 (59.0) 50 (41.0) 0.02 Medicare, 46 (25.4) 18 (39.1) 28 (60.9) Medicaid, 11 (6.1) 3 (27.3) 8 (72.7) Government, 1 (0.6) 0 (0) 1 (100) Uninsured, 1 (0.6) 0 (0) 1 (100) NH=Non-Hispanic.

  PublisherDOI

• From “Can I Handle This?” to “Is It Worth It?”: The Interplay of Experience & Psychological Barriers in Tech Adoption

  Innovation in Aging · 2025-12-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Abstract Assistive smart home technologies (SHTs), such as motion sensors and voice assistants, may enhance independence for older adults living at home. However, the decision to use these devices involves a complex trade-off between the benefits they offer and legitimate concerns about privacy and personal autonomy. Guided by the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology to assess behavioral intention and its key predictors, such as usefulness and social influence, we aimed to understand how psychological barriers influence the intention to use SHTs and whether this behavior changes based on a user’s prior experience with smart devices. We analyzed online survey data from 421 U.S. adults aged 55-80 (Mage=64.5), recruited via the CloudResearch Survey Platform. The analysis employed hierarchical multivariate regression models with robust standard errors. Findings suggested for inexperienced users, the importance of both ease of use and social influence grew in decision-making as their privacy concerns increased (p<.10). Furthermore, the need for an easy-to-use system became more critical as their fear of dependency grew (p<.10). For experienced users, technology’s usefulness became the key factor in overcoming their fear of dependency (p<.05), while social influence was most critical in mitigating privacy concerns (p<.05). These findings suggest the need for tailored support in decision-making about SHTs. Inexperienced users should receive clear demonstrations of ease of use to alleviate dependency concerns, while also leveraging social proof to address their anxieties. For experienced users, support should include evidence of the technology’s benefits and endorsements from trusted sources to help navigate privacy implications.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Social Work's Commitment and Leadership to Address Social Determinants of Health and Integrate Social Care into Health Care

  UNC Libraries · 2025-02-15

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  In light of ongoing transformations in health care policy, pressing questions have emerged concerning how to integrate social care into clinical care and what workforce and physical/digital infrastructure will be required for this integration. In response to these questions, the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) 2019 Consensus Study Report on Integrating Social Care into the Delivery of Health Care: Moving Upstream to Improve the Nation's Health has challenged health and human sector leaders to systematically consider ways to integrate social care into health care delivery. Taking social work as a key profession for driving the integration of social care into health care delivery, the following article (1) outlines key components of the NASEM report and (2) articulates the necessary future steps that health and human sector leaders must take across administrative, educational, technological, and workforce arenas in order to sustainably integrate social care and health care sectors.

  PublisherDOI

• Adolescent receptiveness to dentist involvement in COVID-19 and HPV vaccination

  International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health · 2025-12-01

  articleOpen access

  OBJECTIVES: Human papillomavirus (HPV) and COVID-19 can be prevented and mitigated by vaccines. Few studies have focused on dentists' role in vaccine decision making, and even fewer have explored adolescent perspectives; a target population for both vaccinations. This study aimed to address this gap with a focus on whether opinions vary between diseases. METHODS: We administered a validated cross-sectional survey to adolescent patients (11-19 years) in an orthodontic clinic in Vancouver, British Columbia from July-August 2023. The survey included questions pertaining to patient background, vaccine history and knowledge, and dentists' roles in vaccination education, discussion, and administration. Responses were compiled and analyzed to determine differences between vaccines and across demographic groups. RESULTS: Adolescents surveyed (n=93) overall agreed with dentist involvement in COVID-19 and HPV vaccines, with variability according to disease and dentist role. Comfort with dentist-administered vaccines was higher for COVID-19 (60 %) than HPV (37 %, p<0.05). There was a significant knowledge difference, with 85 % aware that the COVID-19 vaccine can prevent severe illness, but only 22 % aware that the HPV vaccine can prevent oropharyngeal cancer (p<0.05). Patients showed overall willingness to discuss COVID-19/HPV vaccines with dentists (58 % and 49 %) and less agreement that dentists were qualified to educate about COVID-19/HPV vaccines (43 % and 37 %). CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate mixed adolescent perception of including dentists in vaccinations, with higher comfort around COVID-19 over HPV vaccines. Openness to discussion may present an opportunity for dentists to expand scope of practice into additional education, particularly around HPV and its connection with oropharyngeal cancer.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Leveraging COVID-19 Experiences to Prepare for the Future: A Pilot Study with Hospital Social Workers

  Health & Social Work · 2025-11-18

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Social workers in hospital settings transformed their practice to meet the needs of patients, caregivers, and interdisciplinary team members during the COVID-19 pandemic. This included developing telehealth expertise to address patient and family needs, particularly at the end of life. In this pilot study, 10 hospital social workers from one New England tertiary adult medical center participated in a focus group (n = 7) or structured interview (n = 3). Guided by the four constructs of the social ecological model, four major themes emerged from the data highlighting hospital social workers' role situating the needs of patients, families, team members, and themselves in a larger sociopolitical context. These themes included transformative practice and learning, changing roles of the social worker, seeing and understanding the larger social justice context and its impact on patient care, and adapting to telehealth. In this pilot study, authors outline findings that provide formative data that can be useful in informing social work practice and leadership in future pandemics beyond COVID-19 while also addressing the existing inequities in healthcare that were highlighted by this work.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• A Community Based Participatory Research Approach to Evaluate Barriers and Facilitators for Behavioral Weight Loss Intervention Implementation in a Predominantly Black Community

  Supportive Care in Cancer · 2025-09-16

  preprintOpen access

  PURPOSE: Breast cancer survivors with overweight or obesity have worse breast cancer specific survival and outcomes as compared to those with average weight by Yung and Ligibel (Clin Adv Hematol Oncol 14:790-797, 2016) and Druesne-Pecollo et al. (Breast Cancer Res Treat 135:647-654, 2012). Our pilot Group-basEd Telehealth behavioral Weight Los (GET-WEL) Program showed that fewer Black breast cancer survivors (BBCS) enrolled and lost less weight than White breast cancer survivors by Allison et al. (Obesity Science and Practice 10:e70023, 2024). This study is aimed at using a community-based participatory research approach to assess barriers and facilitators of implementing a behavioral weight loss intervention among BBCS. METHODS: Eight BBCS from a predominantly Black community were invited to participate in semi-structured interviews that were voice recorded, transcribed, coded, and analyzed via comparative thematic analysis. RESULTS: Thematic analyses revealed multiple barriers within participants. These included lack of affordable healthy food access, safety concerns with regards to outdoor activities, lack of affordable fitness center memberships, time constraints related to competing work/life obligations, and steep learning curves with technology use. Most BBCS preferred an integrated community-based coach to guide their weight loss interventions via a combination of both virtual and in-person sessions. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that a multimodal approach including nutrition education, reducing physical activity barriers, limiting time constraints by implementing both in-person and virtual platforms, and assisting with technology courses, is necessary to improve the equitable implementation of weight loss interventions. BBCS recommended utilizing established community facilities and leveraging known community members such as nutrition counselors and physical trainers to increase successful implementation.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Spatial Heterogeneity of Social Vulnerabilities Associated with Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates in California

  Innovation in Aging · 2025-12-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Abstract Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, and the American Cancer Society recommends CRC screening beginning at age 45. Despite its economic prosperity, California in 2022 reported the lowest CRC screening rates among adults aged 45 to 75 in the U.S. This counterintuitive phenomenon raises concerns about which social vulnerability factors are associated with the low rate in California. However, prior research on social vulnerability has largely focused on national-level patterns, with limited attention to California-specific disparities and the spatial heterogeneity of social vulnerability factors associated with CRC screening rates. This study aimed to explore the spatial heterogeneity of social vulnerabilities influencing CRC screening rates in California by analyzing the California tract-level CRC screening rate from the CDC PLACES data and the total 16 social vulnerability variables from the CDC Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) data in 2022. The most associated SVI factors were selected through stepwise regression, with their spatially varying effects examined via Geographically Weighted Regression. Among the top five associated SVI factors selected by stepwise regression, educational attainment and limited English proficiency showed the greatest spatial heterogeneity, with effects ranging from strongly negative to positive across regions. The percentage of adults over 65 maintained an overall positive association with screening rates but with little spatial variation. These findings highlight the need for spatially adaptive language and education interventions that address local vulnerabilities. Meanwhile, prioritizing CRC screening among adults aged 45–65 is essential to narrowing screening gaps in California.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Implementing social and behavioral determinants of health data collection: insights from a pragmatic trial

  JNCI Cancer Spectrum · 2025-04-30

  articleOpen access

  In response to growing evidence and recognition that social and behavioral determinants of health (SBDOH) differentially affect the health-care experiences and outcomes of patients with cancer, there has been an increased focus on optimizing the routine collection of such data. In spring 2024, we launched a pragmatic clinical trial titled "Effect of Early Point-of-Service Social and Behavioral Determinants of Health (SBDOH) Screening and Enhanced Navigation on Care Delivery for Patients With Breast Cancer" (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT06019988) at our academic health system. Instruments and modalities were selected following a process of collaborative and iterative consensus building that included an in-person discovery workshop with patients, national experts in psychometrics and SBDOH collection, health system leadership, faculty and staff stakeholders, and study sponsors. The final protocol, which used the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, follows a stepped-wedge cluster-randomized format and compares 3 SBDOH screening instruments-Accountable Health Communities Health-Related Social Needs Screening Tool, Health Leads Social Screening Tool, and the National Comprehensive Care Network Distress Thermometer and Problem List-and 3 delivery modalities-the Epic electronic health record patient portal; bidirectional text-based conversational agent ("chatbot"), and interactive voice response administered by phone. Despite substantial resources, multidisciplinary collaboration, and advanced planning, we encountered challenges related to patient navigation, stakeholder engagement, and technological integration. We describe our experience as a guide for others aspiring to realize real-world implementation of routine SBDOH data collection.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• Shared decision-making and colorectal cancer screening behaviors among older adults with low health literacy

  NIH · $634k · 2020–2025

Frequent coauthors

• Peter Maramaldi

  67 shared

• Shanna L. Burke

  University of Florida

  50 shared

• Walter A. Kukull

  University of Washington

  27 shared

• Louanne Bakk

  University at Buffalo, State University of New York

  22 shared

• Barbara Jones

  The University of Texas at Austin

  16 shared

• Colleen Galambos

  University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee

  16 shared

• Cindy Davis

  University of the Sunshine Coast

  14 shared

• Frances R. Nedjat‐Haiem

  San Diego State University

  14 shared

Awards & honors

• Leonard Davis Institute Summer Research Fellowship