National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Oral Microbiome – It is estimated that
more microorganisms live inside the
human mouth than people inhabit the
world. NIDCR research continues to lead
the way in determining how the members
of these complex oral communities
interact with each other and with the
human body to influence health and
disease.
National Dental Practice Based Research
Network (NDPBRN) – NIDCR recently
awarded a seven-year grant for the
NDPBRN, which is an investigative union of
practicing dentists and academic scientists.
The network provides practitioners an
opportunity to engage in research that
addresses daily issues in oral health care.
HPV-Associated Oral Cancer – It is
predicted that this cancer will be the most
common HPV-related cancer by 2020. In
fact, HPV is now causing more oral cancers
than smoking. NIDCR seeks to initiate
research aimed at the early detection of
HPV-induced cancers –prior to progression
to dangerous levels.
Cleft Lip and/or Palate (CLP) – Craniofacial
defects, such as CLP, are among the most
common types of birth defects. NIDCRsupported scientists are translating the
knowledge of how the head and face
develop into innovative technologies
focused on regeneration and
reconstruction of these structures.
The American Association for Dental Research recommends that Congress
appropriate $32 billion for NIH and $450 million for NIDCR in FY14
42,000
7,400
Number of Americans
projected to be
diagnosed with oral
cancer in 2013
(OCF, June 2013)
Number of
Americans projected
to die from oral
cancer in 2013
(OCF, June 2013)
600+
Species found in
the human mouth
40, 80
Percentage increase
in mortality for males
and females,
respectively, with
cleft lip and/or palate
up to 55 years of age
7,088
Average number of
cases of cleft lip
and/or palate each
year (2004-2006) in
the United States
(CDC, June 2013)
Target number of clinicians for participation in the National
Dental Practice-Based Research Network
5,000
200,000,000+
57
2.21
Number of Americans benefiting
from the National Institute of
Dental Research supported
Grand Rapids study, which
showed fluoride to be a
significant tool in preventing
cavities
(NIDCR, June 2013)
Percentage of
Americans who
believe that
research is key to
reducing health
care costs
(R!A, JZ Analytics,
Dec. 2012)
Number of dollars in local economic
growth generated by each dollar
invested in NIH (NIH, June 2013)
By the Numbers
A Few Areas of Focus
NIDCR, a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is the largest institution in the world dedicated
exclusively to the improvement of dental, oral, and craniofacial health.
American Association for Dental Research (AADR)
The American Association for Dental Research, headquartered in Alexandria, VA, is a non-profit with more than 3,500
members. AADR’s mission is: to advance reseach and increase knowledge for the improvement of oral health; to
represent the oral health community; and to facilitate the application of research findings. AADR is the largest division of
the International Association for Dental Research (IADR), which has more than 12,000 members worldwide.
2013 AADR Institutional Members
University of
Washington
University of
Minnesota
University of
Michigan
Marquette University
University of Rochester
– Eastman Institute for
Oral Health
University of Illinois – Chicago
University at
University of Iowa
Buffalo
University of Nebraska
Southern Illinois University University of Pittsburgh
University of
Colorado
University of California – San
Francisco
The Ohio State University
University of Missouri –
Kansas City
University of the Pacific
University of Nevada – Las Vegas
Loma Linda University
University of California – Los Angeles
University of Southern California
Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry
Baylor College of Dentistry
University of Texas – San
Antonio/Health Science Center
University of
Louisville
University of
Kentucky
Meharry Medical College
Tufts University
Harvard University
Boston University
The Forsyth Institute
SUNY – Stony Brook
Columbia University
NYU
Temple University
University of Maryland at Baltimore
Virginia Commonwealth University –
VCU/MCV
University of North Carolina
Georgia Regents
University
University of Alabama
The University of Texas at
Houston
Medical University of South Carolina
University of Florida
Nova Southeastern University
AADR Institutions in the News for NIH-Supported Research
The Wall Street Journal, “To Avoid Root Canals, Teeth
That Replace Themselves;” July 2, 2013,
by Shirley Wang –
“Several recent studies have demonstrated in animals
that procedures involving tooth stem cells appear to
regrow the critical, living tooth tissue known as pulp.”
In an NIH-supported grant through the NIDCR, AADR
member scientists at Baylor University in collaboration
with researchers at Rice University are engaged in stem
cell research that is making progress towards avoiding
the necessity of root canals. Dental stem cells can be
harvested from the pulp tissue of the wisdom and
other types of adult teeth, or baby teeth. The
researchers are focused on encouraging pulp
regeneration using a small protein hydrogel, which
when injected into the tooth serves as a base for
growing pulp cells, blood vessels, and nerves.
The New York Times, “Rethinking the Twice-Yearly
Dental Visit,” June 10, 2013,
by Catherine Saint Louis –
“For decades, dentists have urged all adults to schedule
preventive visits every six months. But a new study finds
that annual cleanings may be adequate for adults
without certain risk factors for periodontal disease while
people with a high risk may need to go more often.”
Through the NIH-supported grant, AADR member
scientists at the University of Michigan found no
statistical difference in tooth loss among low-risk patients
who went for a dental examination once or twice a year.
However, in a high-risk group, approximately 17% of
patients who had had visits every six months had a tooth
extracted, compared with roughly 22% of those who had
had just one visit a year. The scientists found that visits
every six months may not be adequate to reduce tooth
loss for patients with multiple risk factors.
American Association for Dental Research – 1619 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314 – (703) 548-0066 – www.aadronline.org