Recognizing that health issues know no geographic boundaries, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) throughout its 50-year history has worked with others worldwide to advance scientific achievements. Collaboration in research, research training, and health promotion has long been instrumental in moving the frontier of oral health forward not only nationally, but internationally as well. To enhance international collaboration in these key areas, in March of 1998 the NIDCR created an Office of International Health (OIH). This new office targets strategies to advance dental, oral, and craniofacial health worldwide.
The OIH serves as a liaison with international agencies and foreign organizations involved in global oral health research. It also coordinates dental, oral, and craniofacial research activities under agreements between the U.S. and other countries, promotes strategies to build global oral health research capacity, and supports collaborative research programs and protocols in line with NIDCR’s mission. Implementing international science exchange programs, sponsoring and participating in international meetings and workshops, and disseminating research findings throughout the world are also part of the office’s responsibilities.