Expert Panels on Scientific Opportunities for the Period 2004-2009

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) recognizes the importance of long-range scientific planning to capitalize on the rapid and significant advances occurring in biomedical and behavioral research. The Institute established an internal study group with representatives from all of its divisions to identify broad areas of importance for its long-range scientific agenda. This group identified three major topics of interest:

1. Genomics and Proteomics of Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Diseases
2. Repair and Regeneration of Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Tissues
3. Clinical Approaches to the Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention of Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Disorders.

The group also recommended that panels of experts be convened to help the Institute identify and catalogue areas within these major topics where significant scientific opportunity exists for NIDCR to move its research agenda forward. The first of these panels took place in May 2002 and addressed the topic of genomics and proteomics. The other two panels were convened in September and October 2002. In addition, the NIDCR Director requested that a panel on training be convened as a follow-up to the Blue Ribbon Panel that met in 1999.  The following are reports from panels that have met to date:

Reports

• Panel I: Genomics and Proteomics of Oral, Dental and Craniofacial Diseases (5/22/02)
• Panel II: Repair and Regeneration of Oral, Dental and Craniofacial Tissues (9/5/02)
• Panel III: Clinical and Community-Based Approaches to the Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention of Oral, Dental and Craniofacial Diseases (11/4/02)
• Panel IV: Training (6/7/02)
• Panel V: AIDS Report (12/10/02)
• Panel VI: Caries Vaccine Report (1/28/03)
  • Summary of Vaccine Panel's Deliberations and Recommendations
• Panel VII: Panel On Pain Research (5/13/03)