ADA.org: Future of Dentistry Full Report

FUTURE OFDENTISTRY

researched only in the United States because of the
confounding effects of multiple vehicles containing
fluoride.
Science in the 21st century, whether in the bio-
medical domain encompassing understanding of the
human genome or in the social science domain––pro-
viding insights into orofacial pain or behavior,
social, and health services research––can advance
knowledge of the determinants of dental caries,
periodontal diseases and their associations with sys-
temic diseases. Both biomedical and behavioral
research will depend on international alliances of
scientists and research sponsors. To enhance inter-
national collaboration to address these key research
areas, in March 1998 the National Institute on
Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) created
an Office of International Health. Building on
NIDCR's history of collaboration, the new office
supports strategies to advance dental, oral, and
craniofacial health globally by focusing on research
issues that must be addressed by international teams
of researchers. NIDCR works with partner organi-
zations to develop global oral health research agendas
that continue to be refined, expanded, and adjusted.
NIDCR also works to facilitate collaborative part-
nerships to leverage scarce research funding.
Networks of researchers are currently addressing
noma, cleft lip and cleft palate, oral cancers, tem-
poromandibular joint disorders, dental caries in
children, periodontal pathogens and vascular risk,
and measurement of the quality of life of children.
New efforts are underway to stimulate research on
fluoride issues, HIV/AIDS and the correlates of oral
manifestations, biomaterials, and salivary disorders
such as SjØgren's syndrome.
While the United States government has neither
the budget nor the mandate to support all needed
international collaborative research, the United
States dental profession does have the opportunity
to advocate for such research and training, provid-
ing critical leadership through its existing strength
in science and technology.

INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTS

Standardization of Dental Products

Global standardization of products and their
increased availability in the global marketplace
could affect dental manufacturers and dentists in the
United States both positively and negatively.

The advantages to U.S. dental manufacturers of

standardizing products include:

u Minimization of antitrust and product liability

exposure;

u Assistance in developing new markets;

u Access to and influence on global markets;

u Lower product costs;

u Contribution to the regulatory process; and,

u Useful and cost-effective standards.

The advantages to United States dentists include:

u Products of better and consistent quality;

u Greater choice of products;

u Confidence in the assessment of products; and,

u Enhanced safety and health.

Not participating in international standards activ-

ities would incur risks, including:

u Fragmented markets;

uCompetitive disadvantage from international com-

petitors;

u Higher product costs;

u Imposition of a regulatory process; and,

u Bottom line decisions made by others.

International Standards Programs, such as ISO

9000 and the CE Mark, already in place, are actu-

ally toughening United States standards. Companies

have improved their Good Manufacturing Practices

because of the tougher international standards.

International Distribution of Dental Products

Access to the Internet is rapidly affecting the dis-

tribution of and access to dental products by the

dental manufacturer, the dental distributor, the lab-

Global Oral Health