The NIH Almanac

Until October 21, 1998, the National Institute of Dental Research

Mission

The mission of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) is to improve oral, dental, and craniofacial health through research, research training, and the dissemination of health information. We accomplish our mission by:

• Performing and supporting basic and clinical research;
• Conducting and funding research training and career development programs to ensure an adequate number of talented, well-prepared, and diverse investigators;
• Coordinating and assisting relevant research and research-related activities among all sectors of the research community;
• Promoting the timely transfer of knowledge gained from research and its implications for health to the public, health professionals, researchers, and policy-makers.

Important Events in NIDCR History

1931—The U.S. Public Health Service created a Dental Hygiene Unit at NIH and designated Dr. H. Trendley Dean as the first dental research worker. His primary function was to apply principles of epidemiology to a series of community studies on the oral disease known as mottled enamel. His research on fluoride showed not only its relation to mottled enamel, but also its influence on tooth decay.

1945—Following fluoridation of the water supply in Grand Rapids, Michigan, annual examinations of children were begun to study the effects of fluoride on the development of dental caries.

1948—On June 24, Public Law 80-755, the National Dental Research Act created the National Institute of Dental Research (NIDR) and the National Advisory Dental Research Council. On September 16, the Institute was established.

1949—The first meeting of the National Advisory Dental Research Council was held on January 10. The institute-supported grants program was initiated, and the first grants and fellowships were awarded.

1954—Results of the first 10 years of the Grand Rapids study firmly established water fluoridation as a safe, effective, and economical procedure for the control of dental caries.

On October 30, the first meeting of the Board of Scientific Counselors was held. This board was established to provide advice to NIDR on matters of general policy, particularly from a long-range viewpoint, as they relate to the intramural program.

1958—The Laboratory of Biochemistry was established to conduct research studies on the chemistry and structure of collagen, elastin, and other proteins. President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the appropriations bill, which included provisions to finance the construction of a building for the dental institute.

1960—On September 21, the cornerstone was laid for the dental institute building (Building 30) at NIH.

1961—On May 26, U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) Secretary Abraham A. Ribicoff dedicated the new NIDR building.

1962—The first grant for a multidisciplinary study of cleft palate was awarded to the University of Pittsburgh Health Center.

1963—Fifteen years of scientific accomplishment by NIDR were cited by scientists, administrators, and health educators on June 14 in a special anniversary observance.

1966—A reorganization of the institute's extramural programs was implemented to more adequately plan and support research and training programs designed to attack the major dental diseases and disorders—dental caries, periodontal disease, oral-facial anomalies, and biomaterials.

1967—An NIDR program of grant support was initiated for the development of several dental research institutes/centers in university environments. This program was designed to utilize all of the appropriate resources of the parent universities to create ideal research and training environments, fostering interdisciplinary approaches to the complex problems of oral diseases and disorders.

1969—The Laboratory of Histology and Pathology was reorganized and named the Laboratory of Biological Structure. This laboratory conducts basic research on the structural and chemical organization of the hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity.

1971—The National Caries Program was launched utilizing funds specifically earmarked to accelerate development of preventive methods to reduce tooth decay.

1973—The Laboratory of Oral Medicine was established to conduct both clinical and laboratory research on the cause, prevention, and treatment of diseases of the soft tissue of the oral cavity.

On June 28-29, a scientific conference commemorating the silver anniversary of NIDR was convened in Washington, D.C.

1974—To encompass the expanded research studies conducted by the Laboratory of Microbiology, the Laboratory of Microbiology and Immunology was established. Laboratory programs involve the role of host factors in periodontal diseases, autoimmune diseases, and allergic disorders.

To emphasize anesthesia-analgesia dental problems, the NIDR reorganized its intramural program to form a Neurobiology and Anesthesiology Branch composed of the neural mechanism section and the anesthesiology section. The branch collaborates closely with the extramural programs concerned with pain control and behavioral studies.

1975—Having already established the safety and efficacy of several caries preventive measures, the NIDR initiated selected school demonstration projects through its National Caries Program.

1977—The institute established its first 2 specialized clinical research centers in periodontal diseases.

In June, Dr. Marie U. Nylen was named director of intramural research, the first woman to hold such a position at NIH.

1978—NIDR sponsored its first consensus development conference, Dental Implants—Benefit and Risk, to examine available data, suggest future research, and draft guidelines for implant therapy.

1980—The Diagnostic Systems Branch was created to pursue research and development of noninvasive diagnostic techniques, and analysis of the functional development of the oral and pharyngeal region.

A Clinical Investigations and Patient Care Branch was established to emphasize the intimate association between the Institute's patient treatment and clinical dental research programs.

1982—The Laboratory of Biological Structure and the Laboratory of Biochemistry were replaced by the Laboratory of Oral Biology and Physiology and a Mineralized Tissue Research Branch. The Laboratory of Oral Biology and Physiology conducts research on the cell biology of secretory tissues and the chemical modification of proteins. Skeletal development, regulation, and disorders are under investigation in the Mineralized Tissue Research Branch.

1983—On March 21, the NIDR opened the first multidisciplinary pain clinic in the U.S. devoted exclusively to research. The clinic provides an opportunity for all NIH researchers and clinicians to pool their knowledge and exchange ideas about the pathophysiology and treatment of pain.

The Institute initiated an annual honorary lecture to recognize outstanding scientific accomplishment in basic and clinical research and to honor distinguished scientists who have made important contributions in areas of research directly related to the interests of the dental institute.

1984—NIDR inaugurated the Dentist Scientist Award Program designed to provide opportunities for dentists to develop into independent biomedical investigators in the oral health research field.

The Institute completed its Long-Range Research Plan FY 1985-89 entitled Challenges for the Eighties. Under the direction of NIDR Director Dr. Harald Löe, a coordinating committee prepared this 5-year plan and summary of progress in the oral sciences and in disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The document pinpoints 14 emphasis areas for NIDR's oral health research.

NIDR established 3 new specialized caries research centers in university environments to continue research investigations into the cause, treatment, and prevention of dental decay.

An NIDR reorganization disbanded the National Caries Program and created the Epidemiology and Oral Disease Prevention Program (EODPP). The EODPP is devoted to research on the etiology, incidence, and prevalence of dental caries, periodontal diseases, and other oral diseases and disorders.

Also, a realignment of the administrative offices within the Office of the Director was completed. This realignment established the Office of Planning, Evaluation and Communications (OPEC).

An NIDR annual lecture series was named for a former Institute director. Given each September at NIH, it is known as the Seymour J. Kreshover Lecture Award.

1985—NIDR convened a meeting at NIH of over 160 deans and senior officials from almost every U.S. and Canadian dental school to explore key issues in dental research and education. The conference, first of its kind in NIDR history, was designed to strengthen the relationship between the institute and universities.

1986—NIDR completed its first nationwide survey on the dental health of American adults—the most comprehensive survey of its kind ever done, and the first to look at the prevalence of root caries and periodontal disease in detail.

1988—NIDR celebrated its 40th anniversary with a year-long agenda of commemorative activities.

NIDR funded 4 new oral biology research centers.

The Institute released findings of its second National Caries Prevalence Study. Data show half of all American schoolchildren now have no tooth decay.

NIDR held its second consensus development conference on dental implants. According to the summary statement, the use of dental implants has increased fourfold from 1983 to 1987.

NIDR and the Fogarty International Center launched an international oral health research study to identify oral health issues that would benefit most from international collaborative research.

The Institute launched the "Research and Action Program to Improve the Oral Health of Older Americans and Other Adults at High Risk." The goal is to eliminate toothlessness and prevent further deterioration of oral health in individuals who have compromised dentition.

1990—The Institute completed the NIDR Long-Range Research Plan for the Nineties: Broadening the Scope, the blueprint for research in this decade. The plan establishes major initiatives geared to "special care patients" whose oral health is affected by systemic diseases or treatments and to older Americans, with the ultimate goal of eliminating toothlessness among future generations and preventing further deterioration of the oral health of individuals with compromised dentition.

1991—NIDR hosted a symposium for dental practitioners, "Scientific Frontiers in Clinical Dentistry: An Update at the National Institutes of Health."

The Institute sponsored a technology assessment conference on the effects and side effects of dental restorative materials.

The Laboratory of Developmental Biology and Anomalies was renamed the Laboratory of Developmental Biology (LDB). LDB research aims to gain a better understanding of normal human development.

1992—The Epidemiology and Oral Disease Prevention Program reorganized to expand the scope of EODPP activities. The program now consists of 4 branches: Molecular Epidemiology and Disease Indicators; Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; Analytical Studies and Decision Systems; and Health Assessment. EODPP is the Federal focus for research in orofacial epidemiology and disease prevention.

A reorganization of the Extramural Program (EP) established the Program Development Branch, consisting of 7 categorical programs and an Office of Policy and Coordination. This office contains manpower development and training activities and the Program Operations Unit, which includes the Scientific Review Office, the Grants Management Office, and the Contracts Management Office. EP provides grant and contract funds for research and research training.

NIDR hosted a second meeting of the leadership from the nation's dental schools, dental professional organizations and industry to explore ways to enhance the research capacity of dental schools.

1993—The National Oral Health Information Clearinghouse was established as a centralized resource for patients, health professionals, and the public seeking information on the oral health of special care patients.

1994—The intramural, extramural, and epidemiology organizational components of NIDR were redefined from programs to divisions, establishing the Division of Intramural Research, the Division of Extramural Research, and the Division of Epidemiology and Oral Disease Prevention (DEODP).

The DEODP was streamlined from 4 to 3 branches: Analytical Studies and Health Assessment; Disease Prevention and Health Promotion; and Molecular Epidemiology and Disease Indicators.

1995—NIDR sponsored "Partnerships in Communication: A Meeting of Dental Editors," which brought together for the first time at NIH more than 30 editors and executive directors of dental organizations to enhance communication among the group.

The Institute met with a diverse group of representatives from pharmaceutical, biotechnology, manufacturing, and other industries to develop ways to accelerate the transfer of research findings into application.

NIDR conducted more than 30 focus groups with professional organizations, NIDR staff, specialty groups, and the public toward the development of a new Institute strategic plan.

1996—The first community conference in the Institute's history was held in May for employees to review the NIDR strategic planning process to date and to discuss the NIDR mission, vision, situation audit, strategic initiatives, management principles, and plans for the future.

The NIDR sponsored a technology assessment conference on the management of temporomandibular disorders.

The Institute's intramural, extramural, and epidemiology organizational components were reorganized into the Division of Intramural Research and the Division of Extramural Research.

NIDR launched its World Wide Web page on the Internet, making all pertinent information available to the public and the research community.

1997—The NIDR's first strategic plan, Shaping the Future, was released in July. Focusing on areas of research opportunities, research capacity, and health promotion, the document serves as a critical structure within which multiple institute initiatives are undertaken.

The Institute celebrated its 50th anniversary.

A reorganization within the Office of the Director created the Office of International Health, the Office of Science Policy and Analysis, and the Office of Communications and Health Education. The Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Communications was eliminated.

1998—The Institute changed its name to National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research to accurately reflect its research base. NIDCR became official on October 21, 1998, with the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, H.R. 4328.

1999—NIDCR introduced its Strategic Plan to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities. The plan is designed to support research leading to the reduction and prevention of health disparities, including those in the oral cavity, and to provide research opportunities to increase the diversity of the scientific workforce.

The Office of Information Technology was established within the NIDCR Office of the Director.

2000—The Institute hosted the first "NIDCR Patient Advocates Forum." The conference, attended by patient advocates from 15 organizations, was designed to enhance communication between patient liaison groups and NIDCR and to bring the patient perspective to Institute planning and research.

NIDCR served as lead agency for the preparation and publication of Oral Health In America: A Report of the Surgeon General, released on May 25th. The report—commissioned by U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala and released by Surgeon General David Satcher—is the first of its kind to be dedicated solely to oral health.

The Institute supported the first-ever national, multidisciplinary meeting on children and oral health, "Face of a Child," held June 12-13 in Washington, D.C.

2001—The Division of Extramural Research was reorganized into 3 components: Division of Basic and Translational Sciences, Division of Population and Health Promotion Sciences, and Division of Extramural Activities.

NIDCR sponsored a consensus development conference on the Diagnosis and Management of Dental Caries Throughout Life.

The Institute released its strategic plan to eliminate craniofacial, oral, and dental health disparities.

NIDCR funded 5 new Centers for Research to Reduce Oral Health Disparities.

2003—NIDCR released its Strategic Plan for FY 2003-2008, which addresses the myriad diseases and conditions that affect the oral cavity and craniofacial structures by outlining a course for the Institute to follow in the areas of research, research training, and communication of research results.

The Institute was a lead agency in preparing A National Call to Action to Promote Oral Health, released April 29, 2003, by U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona.

2005—NIDCR awarded three major grants that establish regional "practice-based" research networks to investigate with greater scientific rigor everyday issues in the delivery of oral health care.

Two extramural research programs were reorganized into 4 centers focusing on craniofacial research, infectious diseases and immunology, clinical research, and health promotion and behavioral research.

2006—NIDCR integrated its extramural programs into 2 centers—the Center for Integrative Biology and Infectious Diseases and the Center for Clinical Research—and a Biotechnology and Innovation Program.

2007—NIDCR reorganized its extramural program to better reflect the current NIH extramural model. The Center for Integrative Biology and Infectious Diseases was renamed the Division of Extramural Research (DER); the Center for Clinical Research is now part of the DER.

NIDCR Legislative Chronology

June 24, 1948—Public Law 80-755 established NIDR to conduct, support, and foster research investigations on the causes, treatment, and prevention of dental diseases and conditions.

August 1, 1958—President Eisenhower signed an HEW appropriation bill that included provisions to finance construction of laboratory facilities to house NIDR.

October 21, 1998—The Institute's name change to the NIDCR became official when President Bill Clinton signed the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, H.R. 4328.

Biographical Sketch of NIDCR Director Lawrence A. Tabak, D.D.S., Ph.D.

Dr. Lawrence A. Tabak was appointed as the seventh director of the NIDCR in September 2000. As Director, he provides leadership for a team of ~500 scientists, administrators and support staff with an approximate annual budget of ~ $389 million.

In November 2008, Dr. Tabak was appointed as acting principal deputy director of the NIH. While serving in capacity, Dr. Tabak continues as NIDCR director.

Prior to joining NIH, Dr. Tabak was the senior associate dean for research and professor of dentistry and biochemistry & biophysics in the School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Rochester in New York. A former NIH MERIT recipient, Dr. Tabak’s major research focus has been on the structure, biosynthesis, and function of mucin-glycoproteins. He continues work in this area, maintaining an active research laboratory (within NIDDK, http://intramural.niddk.nih.gov/research/faculty.asp?People_ID=1560) in addition to his administrative duties.

Dr. Tabak has served actively as co-chair of the Research Teams of the Future component of the NIH Roadmap that emphasizes new ways of doing team science to catalyze additional multi- and interdisciplinary research. He is currently leading an NIH-wide initiative to enhance peer-review (http://enhancing-peer-review.nih.gov/). Dr. Tabak serves as co-chair of the NIH-wide Pain Consortium (http://painconsortium.nih.gov/).

Dr. Tabak has received several honors and awards for his work, including being elected a fellow of the AAAS and a member of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. A native of Brooklyn, New York, He received his undergraduate degree from City College of the City University of New York, his D.D.S. from Columbia University, and both a Ph.D. and certificate of proficiency in Endodontics from the University of Buffalo.

NIDCR Directors

Name	In Office from	To
H. Trendley Dean	September 17, 1948	March 31, 1953
Francis A. Arnold, Jr.	April 1,1953	February 1966
Seymour J. Kreshover	February 1966	June 30, 1975
Clair L. Gardner (Acting)	July 1,1975	December 31, 1975
David B. Scott	January 1, 1976	December 31, 1981
John F. Goggins (Acting)	January 1, 1982	December 31, 1982
Harald Löe	January 1983	June 1, 1994
Dushanka V. Kleinman (Acting)	June 1994	June 1995
Harold C. Slavkin	July 1995	July 14, 2000
Lawrence A. Tabak	September 2000	Present

Research Programs

Division of Extramural Research

NIDCR is the primary sponsor of dental, oral, and craniofacial research and research training. Through its Division of Extramural Research, the Institute provides funds outside its intramural laboratories and clinics in Bethesda, Maryland. Funds are made available in the form of grants, cooperative agreements, and contracts, which support scientists working in institutions throughout the U.S. and in foreign countries. These scientists conduct basic, translational, patient-oriented and demonstration research to increase understanding of fundamental processes in health and disease, and to promote timely transfer and community adoption of research findings. The Institute also supports research training and career development to ensure an adequate pool of research personnel.

NIDCR supports 2 Specialized Centers for Oral, Dental, and Craniofacial Research. These centers include individuals with diverse scientific backgrounds who are applying state-of-the-art technologies to highly integrated projects designed to provide new insights into oral and craniofacial diseases and disorders. NIDCR also funds 5 Centers for Research to Reduce Oral Health Disparities. The centers are focused on identifying factors contributing to oral health disparities and developing and testing strategies for their elimination. Each center also provides training and career development opportunities for scientists in underrepresented groups and others interested in careers in oral health disparities research.

The Division of Extramural Research comprises 3 branches and 1 center:

The Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Branch coordinates the research activities in this field that span the Institute’s extramural research program. With a focus on disease prevention and health promotion, the branch supports biobehavioral, social science, health literacy, communication, and informatics research.

The Integrative Biology and Infectious Diseases Branch supports basic and translational research on the microbial and immunological aspects of oral diseases such as dental caries, periodontal diseases, oral candidiasis, and head and neck cancer. Programs also focus on research into the underlying mechanisms of the oral complications of HIV/AIDS, as well as salivary gland biology and processes involved in orofacial pain. In addition, the branch supports research on developmental biology and genetics, tissue engineering, and technology development.

The Translational Genomics Research Branch supports research to understand the genetic factors that contribute to oral, dental, and craniofacial diseases and to apply genetic information and technologies to the development of new diagnostic and treatment strategies. The program also funds studies that explore the mechanisms by which human genes and proteins interact with environmental and behavioral factors to cause conditions more commonly seen in dental practice, such as clefting, dental caries, periodontal disease, and oral cancer.

The Center for Clinical Research supports patient-oriented and population-based research, including clinical trials, practice-based networks, epidemiology, and health disparity research in all areas of program interest to NIDCR. Providing statistical support Institute-wide, the center develops and supports programs to foster diversity in the scientific workforce, as well as clinical research activities aimed at the health of vulnerable and special needs populations.

Division of Extramural Activities

The Division of Extramural Activities provides leadership and advice in developing, implementing, and coordinating extramural programs and policies. The division has 3 components:

The Grants Management Branch is the focal point for all business-related activities associated with the negotiation, award, and administration of grants and cooperative agreements within the NIDCR.

The Scientific Review Branch coordinates the initial scientific peer review of applications for the following mechanisms of support: center research grants, program project grants, small research grants, research conference grants, institutional training grants, short-term training and fellowship grants, Physician Scientist Awards for Dentists, Dentist Scientist Awards, requests for applications issued by NIDCR, certain investigator-initiated clinical trials, cooperative agreements, and all proposals for research and development contracts. The branch also coordinates, conducts, and monitors project site visits, applicant interviews, and all other aspects of NIDCR's peer review process.

The Research Training and Career Development Branch oversees and coordinates the Institute’s programs for extramural fellowships, training grants, career development awards, dental school curriculum development grants, NIH loan repayment awards, and diversity supplements. The aim of these programs is to ensure an adequate number of talented, well-prepared, and diverse investigators to conduct dental, oral, and craniofacial research in the Institute’s scientific priority areas.

Division of Intramural Research

Scientists in the Division of Intramural Research conduct basic laboratory, translational, and clinical research. Using the latest techniques in biomedical science, researchers investigate the biochemistry, structure, function and development of bone, teeth, salivary glands, and connective tissues. Studies also focus on the role of bacteria and viruses in oral disease, genetic and acquired disorders of the craniofacial region and tumors of the oral cavity, the causes and treatment of acute and chronic pain, and the development of new and improved methods to diagnose oral disease. The division has approximately 300 employees and guest researchers in 31 laboratories and a set of laboratory and clinical support facilities.

The Craniofacial and Skeletal Diseases Branch studies development and structure of mineralized tissues (bones, teeth, and cartilage). Emphasis is placed on genetic and acquired disorders of the skeleton through clinical, basic, and translational research in bone, cartilage, and dental cell biology; adult stem cells; and composition, synthesis, and destruction of extracellular matrix—a major component of most tissues and critical in oral tissue development, function, and health.

The Laboratory of Cell and Developmental Biology explores the roles and gene regulation of the extracellular matrix, a key component of connective tissue, and other cell interaction systems in embryonic development and function. Research focuses on such areas as normal and abnormal embryonic development of craniofacial and other tissues, processes involved in tissue repair and cancer, and replacement or regeneration of defective or damaged tissues.

The Laboratory of Sensory Biology investigates fundamental mechanisms of various types of sensation including taste, somatosensation (touch, pressure, temperature), and pain. Using a range of laboratory techniques, scientists are exploring how sensory stimuli are detected and processed, with the aim of developing and testing novel therapeutic strategies to combat pain.

The Molecular Physiology and Therapeutics Branch conducts research related to the diagnosis, prevention, and management of salivary gland dysfunction caused by head and neck irradiation and diseases such as Sjögren’s syndrome. Primary efforts are aimed at understanding the molecular basis of salivary gland function and disease, and developing gene transfer technology and other molecular tools to restore salivary secretion.

The Oral and Pharyngeal Cancer Branch is exploring several aspects of cancer cell biology to identify the faulty molecular mechanisms underlying the development of oral malignancies. Investigators are using this knowledge to identify early diagnostic markers and develop novel therapeutic approaches for oral cancer.

The Oral Infection and Immunity Branch conducts research on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious and inflammatory diseases. Scientists study bacterial and viral infections at the biochemical, organism, and community levels and analyze the basic mechanisms of immune and inflammatory host responses. Research is also under way to enhance the understanding of signaling mechanisms inside the cell, which prompt host responses to pathogens, and to devise strategies for therapy.

The Developmental Mechanisms Section investigates mechanisms of cell differentiation in early embryos, with current emphasis on the gene regulatory network underlying development of primitive nerve cells.

The Immunopathology Section explores factors in the modulation of human monocyte functions that may contribute to connective tissue damage associated with inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and periodontal disease. Studies are aimed at understanding how certain enzymes and inhibitors believed to play a major role in the destruction and remodeling of connective tissue are regulated in the human monocyte, part of the body’s infection-fighting system.

The Division also supports research in 6 units outside of its laboratories and branches: the Clinical Research Core, DNA Sequencing Core, Gene Targeting Core, Scientific Systems Core, Technology Transfer, and Veterinary Resources Core.