Rena D'Souza, DDS, PhD, president of the American Association for Dental Research (AADR), testified March 29 before the House Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Appropriations to ask Congress to increase support to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR).
Her testimony illustrated the advances made, as well as the challenges that remain, in a few critical areas, including caries, oral and pharyngeal cancer, and salivary diagnostics.
Investments made in dental research have provided a considerable return for Americans and for governments at the local, state, and federal levels, according to the AADR. However, dental research is challenged by an investment in NIH that is failing to keep pace with inflation, the association noted.
"Future advances in healthcare depend on today's investments in basic research on the fundamental causes and mechanisms of disease, new technologies to accelerate discoveries, innovations in clinical research, and a robust pipeline of creative and skillful biomedical researchers," D'Souza testified. "To continue reaping the benefits of a bold research funding platform, Congress must make science a national priority. With continued support, NIH investigators will help to revolutionize patient care, reduce the growth of health care costs, and generate significant national economic growth."
A sustained funding stream for NIDCR and NIH overall is necessary in order to continue improving the oral and overall health of Americans, according to the AADR. The association supports at least $32 billion in funding for NIH, and of this amount, NIDCR should receive an appropriation of $450 million.
