NIDR also publishes annual reports of currently funded research projects. These opportunities will be discussed separately. Future Trends With the increased emphasis on research and its relevance to education, the future for this career option seems promising. The Journal of Dental Education occasionally includes articles describing proposed requirements for researchers involved in dental education. Most involve laboratory research, but a few involve some clinical research opportunities.
Options exist in both professional as well as consumer market-oriented companies.
A few companies have plans to add positions, but most have not added positions over the past several years and have no immediate plans to do so. This is not an absolute requirement and some individuals enter this career directly out of dental school if they have a strong research background. Most graduates are informed of these positions through the various journals, executive search companies, and word of mouth. NIDR, Centers for Disease Control, Armed Forces, Indian Health Service, Veterans Administration and some state health departments employ full or part-time researchers. Future Trends Dentists will continue to be needed to conduct research at the various institutions.