James E. Melvin, D.D.S., Ph.D., Clinical Director
Mission
The Dental Clinical Research Core (DCRC) conducts clinical research, provides training in clinical research through the Clinical Research Fellowship and provides an oral medicine and dental consultation service for the unique Clinical Center patient population. Clinical research fellows work in the Clinical Center (Building 10) and must have U.S. licensure. It is the goal of the DCRC to advance the development of clinical applications of laboratory research to benefit both oral and systemic health.
DCRC projects aim to facilitate translational research. Clinical research studies are conducted that complement ongoing basic science laboratory projects. Current protocols focus on, but are not limited to salivary proteomics, the evaluation and treatment of salivary gland dysfunction, studies on the natural history and treatment of fibrous dysplasia, bone regeneration, hypoparathyroidism/phosphate/calcium metabolism, novel approaches to pain management, treatment of oral cancer and oral wound healing. Patients evaluated at the Clinical Center--including those with primary immunodeficiencies, those with inherited genetic disorders that frequently affect the craniofacial structures, and those undergoing cancer therapy, for example--are included in CRC clinical research projects. Fellows work with investigators in the CRC as well as with clinicians from other NIDCR branches and NIH institutes to carry out these studies.