NIDCR’s 2009–2013 Strategic Plan

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) remains committed to improving the oral, dental and craniofacial health of our nation. NIDCR pursues its mission through research, research training and the dissemination of health information to the public and health care professionals. NIDCR has played a leadership role in establishing prevention as a cornerstone of American oral health since its inception in 1948. Past investments have positioned the NIDCR to categorize complex dental, oral and craniofacial diseases and conditions that afflict millions of Americans. A comprehensive research agenda encompassing prevention, early detection and management of these diseases defines our current and future investments. In consultation with National Institutes of Health (NIH) leadership, the NIDCR engages in long and short–term program planning to identify NIDCR priorities. These efforts develop and use information from several sources and consult a broad range of key stakeholders. The NIDCR also obtains input through a range of conferences and workshops that review emerging scientific opportunities, identify public health concerns and provide state–of–the–science assessments. As a component of the NIH, the NIDCR conducts its planning and priority setting within a larger context that considers input from the Congress and the Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, the NIH and external peer review. The 2009–2013 NIDCR strategic planning process gathered public and stakeholder input about prospective activities, areas of research emphasis, future research approaches, needs and opportunities. The NIDCR obtained this input in several ways, through: An open–forum listening ses• sion augmented by informal conversations at the American Association for Dental Research meeting in Dallas on April 2, 2008 An open–forum listening ses• sion held in conjunction with the NIDCR Patient Advocates Forum on the NIH campus on April 21, 2008 Web–based responses from 140 • individuals and organizations to 6 strategic planning questions posted on the NIDCR Web site between May and July, 2008 Two open–forum listening ses• sions augmented by informal conversations at the International Association for Dental Research meeting in Toronto on July 2–3, 2008 A series of NIDCR staff meet• ings to obtain input on NIDCR goals and priorities Presentations during National • Advisory Dental Research Council meetings A feedback session held on Feb. • 9, 2009 with stakeholders representing federal agencies, professional dental organizations, dental specialties, voluntary organizations and industry Public comment obtained • through Web posting of the draft plan during February 2009 The 2009–2013 NIDCR Strategic Plan provides a guide for funding decisions and defines areas that will be closely monitored for key developments and innovations that can be applied to oral, dental and craniofacial health. The goals and objectives presented throughout the plan strike a careful balance between basic and applied research, address workforce issues and confront the vexing problem of health disparities. The goals and objectives within the plan do not encompass the entire range of NIDCR supported research that collectively contributes to our overall mission, but they do capture the areas that offer the most significant scientific promise in the near term. The 2009–2013 NIDCR Strategic Plan is built on 4 key goals: widening our scope of inquiry, strengthening the research pipeline, fostering novel clinical research avenues and eliminating oral health disparities.