ADA.org: Future of Dentistry Full Report

FUTURE OFDENTISTRY

Biomedical and behavioral scientists are con-

tributing to an enhanced understanding of the caus-

es, progression and sequelae of diseases and condi-

tions that affect the oral cavity and surrounding tis-

sues. The definition of the role of microbial oral

infections––bacterial, viruses, fungi––and their

interactions with host immune response and the

environment, has suggested ways to prevent diseases

and arrest their progression.

The complex nature of the most common oral dis-

eases, dental caries and periodontal diseases,

emphasizes the importance of effective biological,

behavioral, and environmental approaches for suc-

cessful prevention and management. Increasingly,

investigators are studying viral infections, such as

herpes simplex and fungal infections such as can-

didiasis. Microbial genomes are being completed

for several periodontal pathogens, as well as for

Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans.

Researchers are also pursuing studies of normal and

abnormal growth and development of teeth, jaws

and other craniofacial structures, and are studying

conditions such as cleft lip/palate, one of the most

common birth defects.

Disabling diseases and conditions such as oral

cancers, mouth, face and head injuries, temporo-

mandibular disorders and SjØgren's syndrome are

under investigation. Of particular interest are studies

of the associations among oral infections and sys-

temic conditions and diseases. These investigations,

which are looking at the relationships among peri-

odontal diseases and diseases and conditions such as

diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and low birth

weight and/or premature babies, are of considerable

interest to the entire health care community.

The Dental Research Agenda

During the past 40 years dental research agendas

have been developed to highlight those areas that

warrant additional study. These agendas include an

extensive range of research needs, and vary depend-

ing upon the eventual use of the research findings.

Also included in these agendas are investigations

related to health services delivery and reimburse-

ment, occupational health issues, biomaterials

development and testing, disease etiology and

pathogenesis as well as prevention, diagnosis and

treatment, and studies of health promotion.

The ADA Research Agenda of Importance to the

Practicing Dentist (ADA, Council on Scientific

Affairs, 2001) emphasizes the practice of dentistry,

while other agendas may focus on a subgroup of the

population or on a specific disease or condition.

Dental and Craniofacial Research

Source: Adapted from Biomedical Research Spectrum as conceived by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.

FIGURE 7.1

Biomedical and Behavioral Research Process

Research Hypotheses

are generated by:

Basic

Research

Applied

Research

&

Development

Knowledge

Acquisition

Knowledge

Validation

Knowledge

Transfer

Knowledge

Dissemination

HEALTH

OF THE

NATION

Clinical

Investigation

Clinical

Trials

Demonstration

& Education

Research

Research Partners

include:

Patients

The Public

Health Providers

Scientists

Others

Government

Universities

Private Sector

Industry

Research Areas