National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) is a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. The NIDCR is dedicated to improving oral, dental, and craniofacial health through research, research training, and the dissemination of health information.

History

The NIDCR was established in 1948 as the National Institute of Dental Research (NIDR). It was created in response to the need for a national focus on dental research, particularly in the wake of World War II, when the poor dental health of military recruits highlighted the need for improved dental care and research.

Early Leadership

H. Trendley Dean

The first director of the NIDR was H. Trendley Dean, who was instrumental in the early research on the effects of fluoride in preventing dental caries. His work laid the foundation for the widespread adoption of water fluoridation in the United States.

Subsequent Directors

Francis A. Arnold, Jr.

Following Dean, Francis A. Arnold, Jr. served as director and continued to advance the institute's research agenda. Under his leadership, the NIDR expanded its focus to include a broader range of dental and craniofacial research topics.

Seymour J. Kreshover

Seymour J. Kreshover was another notable director who contributed significantly to the institute's growth and development. His tenure saw an increase in the scope and scale of research activities.

Research Focus

The NIDCR supports a wide array of research areas, including:

• Basic and clinical research on dental and craniofacial diseases and disorders.
• Studies on the development and function of the craniofacial complex.
• Research on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of oral diseases.
• Investigations into the genetic, molecular, and cellular mechanisms underlying dental and craniofacial health and disease.

Recent Leadership

Lawrence A. Tabak

Lawrence A. Tabak served as the director of the NIDCR from 2000 to 2010. During his tenure, he emphasized the importance of translational research and the integration of new technologies into dental research.

Isabel Garcia

Isabel Garcia was appointed as the acting director in 2010, bringing her expertise in public health and dental research to the institute.

Martha J. Somerman

Martha J. Somerman served as the director from 2011 to 2019. Her leadership focused on advancing the understanding of dental, oral, and craniofacial health through innovative research.

Related Pages

• National Institutes of Health
• Dental public health
• Oral and maxillofacial surgery
• Craniofacial abnormalities