The mission of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research is to improve oral, dental and craniofacial health through research, research training, and the dissemination of health information. We accomplish our mission by:

• Performing and supporting basic and clinical research;
  
• Conducting and funding research training and career development programs to ensure an adequate number of talented, well-prepared and diverse investigators;
  
• Coordinating and assisting relevant research and research-related activities among all sectors of the research community;
  
• Promoting the timely transfer of knowledge gained from research and its implications for health to the public, health professionals, researchers, and policy-makers.

In our efforts to improve the oral, dental and craniofacial health of the public, we will prioritize scientific opportunities on the basis of their potential impact to improve health, the readiness of the scientific community to accomplish them, and their alignment with the following core values:

	Our programs and activities to support research, research training, and information dissemination will be driven by science.
	Our resources and programs will be managed, conducted, and evaluated in a manner that upholds the trust placed in us by the public.
	Our programs and actions will aim to improve the oral health of all people and eliminate health disparities.