|
The Friends of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (FNIDCR) online newsletter is a membership benefit. Permission is granted to repost this publication only with inclusion of the header. Past issues are posted on www.fnidcr.org/news.html Executive Director's Report Congress has extended its fiscal year until the middle of November to complete the Appropriations process. All biomedical research advocacy groups will be watching to see how Congress marks up the NIH for FY 2006. The Friends will add their voice to those promoting continued support in research. Remember to mark your calendars for the 8th annual FNIDCR Gala Awards Dinner, Tuesday, November 15, 2005, at the National Press Club. This is a wonderful occasion to celebrate and honor those who have contributed so much to oral, dental and craniofacial research. Looking forward to seeing you there.
Sincerely,
Alec Stone Draft Implementation Plan for the Updated NIDCR Strategic Plan 2003-2008 Research Opportunities
Study Finds Possible Association Between Amoxicillin and Enamel Malformation
New Comparison of Consumed Fluids and Risk of Early Childhood Caries
Study Characterizes Oral Complications of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Children
First Gene Profile of Oral Pathogen As It Invades Coronary Artery
Toluidine Blue Staining Identifies High-Risk Premalignant Oral Lesions But this limitation may in fact provide a diagnostic advantage. Two recent studies found an association between toluidine blue retention in early oral lesions that contain cells with distinct, cancer-predisposing chromosomal abnormalities, an indication that the dye may detect the low-grade lesions that are among the most likely to progress. Now, NIDCR grantees report new data in the September 1 issue of the journal Cancer Research that support this idea in people. The grantees monitored 100 patients with oral premaligant lesions for 44 months, allowing them to evaluate over time the possible association of toluidine blue staining and three factors: clinical pathology, several well characterized chromosomal aberrations, and outcome. They found toluidine blue detected 16 of 17 cases of high-grade dysplasia (early alterations in cell structure) in the study, and it preferentially stained the oral premalignant lesions with minimal or no dysplasia that had high-risk clinical and molecular attributes. The authors concluded that the study, "points to a need to re-assess toluidine blue stain not just with its association with histology, but also with molecular risk predictors and with outcome." To read more about this study, click here.
New Analytical Tool Applied for First Time to Oral Cancer
Study Correlates Antimicrobial Peptides and Tooth Decay in Children NIH Funds Nine Science Education Partnership Awards
Nearly $10 Million Will Support Programs to Increase Science Literacy The NIH today announced it will award $9.4 million to fund nine Science Education Partnership Awards (SEPA). Administered by the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), a component of the NIH, SEPA grants provide from two to five years of support. "By giving students the chance to participate in hands-on, inquiry-based research projects, we hope to demystify science and make it more accessible," said Barbara M. Alving, Acting Director of NCRR. "Through our SEPA program, we not only stimulate public interest in health issues, we also encourage young people to pursue careers in science." FY 2005 Science Education Partnership Awards Include:
Full Description of Projects Visit: www.ncrr.nih.gov/ncrrprog/clindir/SEPAdirectoryFY2005.asp NIHSeniorHealth Says: Talk to Your Doctor About Dry Mouth If you've ever stood up to give an important presentation, opened your mouth to speak, and realized you cannot form words, you know what it feels like to have dry mouth. Occasional dry mouth -- the feeling that there is not enough saliva in the mouth -- is normal. But experiencing dry mouth all or most of the time is not. Side effects of medications are the main cause of dry mouth, particularly in older adults who take more prescription and over-the-counter medicines than any other age group. Now, the latest information about the causes and treatments of dry mouth is available in an easy-to-understand, interactive format at www.nihseniorhealth.gov. The NIHSeniorHealth Web site is a joint effort of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Library of Medicine (NLM), which are part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). "Most people underestimate the importance of saliva," says Lawrence A. Tabak, D.D.S., Ph.D., director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), which developed the content for the dry mouth topic on the NIHSeniorHealth Web site. "Saliva does more than keep your mouth wet -- it protects teeth from decay, helps heal sores in the mouth, and prevents infection by controlling bacteria, viruses, and fungi in the mouth. Dry mouth is more than an annoyance; it is a medical problem that requires treatment by a dentist or physician. NIHSeniorHealth's new dry mouth topic is an excellent source of information on this condition." Dry mouth occurs when the salivary glands, which make saliva, no longer work properly. Many over-the-counter and prescription medications, some cancer treatments, and an injury to the head or neck all can cause salivary glands to produce less saliva, resulting in dry mouth. Some diseases, such as Parkinson's disease and diabetes, also can affect the salivary glands. Dry mouth is the hallmark symptom of a fairly common autoimmune disease, Sjögren's syndrome, which targets the salivary and tear glands. Often, dry mouth cannot be cured, but it can be managed by avoiding certain foods and beverages, drinking plenty of water, and talking with your doctor about treatment options. One of the fastest growing age groups using the Internet, older Americans increasingly turn to the World Wide Web for health information. In fact, 66 percent of "wired" seniors surf for health and medical information when they go online. NIHSeniorHealth, a joint effort of the National Institute on Aging (NIA) and the National Library of Medicine (NLM), was designed especially with seniors in mind. The site is based on the latest research on cognition and aging. It features short, easy-to-read segments of information that can be accessed in a variety of formats, including various large-print type sizes, open-captioned videos, and an audio version. Additional topics coming soon to the site include osteoporosis and heart disease. The site links to MedlinePlus, NLM's premier, more detailed site for consumer health information. NIH Awards A National Stem Cell Bank and New Centers of Excellence in Translational Human Stem Cell Research National Institutes of Health (NIH) Director, Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D., announced today that the NIH has awarded $16.1 million over four years to fund a National Stem Cell Bank and $9.6 million to fund two new Centers of Excellence in Translational Human Stem Cell Research for four years. The National Stem Cell Bank, awarded to the WiCell Research Institute in Wisconsin, will consolidate many of the federally funded eligible human embryonic stem (ES) cell lines in one location, reduce the costs that researchers have to pay for the cells, and maintain quality control over the cells. The two Centers of Excellence, awarded to the University of California, Davis and Northwestern University will bring together stem cell experts, disease experts, and other scientists to explore ways human stem cells may be used in the future to treat a wide range of diseases such as blood cancers and blood disorders, kidney disease, and neurological disorders. "The national stem cell bank is an important milestone in NIH's efforts to support the growing field of stem cell research," Dr. Zerhouni said. "This resource will enable us to fully analyze, characterize and control the quality of approved cell lines. This will optimize and standardize the techniques used for comparing the properties of stem cells, a critical step for both the basic and translational research that is needed for the eventual development of potential therapies." The Stem Cell Bank will provide scientists affordable and timely access to federally approved human embryonic stem cells and other technical support that will make it easier for scientists to obtain the cell lines currently listed on the NIH Human Embryonic Stem Cell Registry (stemcells.nih.gov/research/registry/). The stem cell expert team at the WiCell Research Institute, led by Dr. Derek Hei, principal investigator, and Dr. James Thomson, scientific director, will also ensure consistent quality of the lines by analyzing and comparing existing cell lines; documenting the growth characteristics of cell lines; assessing the cells' genetic stability; and determining the molecular background and basic characteristics of the different cell lines. Researchers to Gain Wider Access to Knockout Mice Trans-NIH Effort Provides New Models for Understanding Human Disease Bethesda, Maryland -- The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced contracts that will give researchers unprecedented access to two private collections of knockout mice, providing valuable models for the study of human disease and laying the groundwork for a public, genome-wide library of knockout mice. In the first year of the contract, NIH will expend about $10 million to acquire about 250 lines of knockout mice. "Our decision to procure these knockout mouse lines and data and make them available to the research community will yield tremendous benefits, both in the short and long terms," said NIH Director Elias A. Zerhouni, M.D. "This trans-NIH initiative will place important mouse models into the hands of researchers, speeding advances in the understanding of human disease and the development of new therapies. It also represents a significant step in the direction of launching an international project to systematically knock out all genes in the mouse." Since recombinant DNA technology was used to create the first such animals in the early 1980s, knockout mice have proven to be one of the most powerful tools available to study the function of genes and to create mouse models of human disease. Researchers have produced knockout mice with characteristics similar to humans suffering from a wide range of disorders, including cancer, heart disease, neurological disorders and even obesity. "This is exciting news for all researchers working to understand the complex underpinnings of human biology in health and disease. Knockout mice provide one of the quickest, most cost effective ways to explore gene function. It is essential that we make it possible for more researchers to tap into this power," said James Battey, M.D., Ph.D., Director of the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Dr. Battey serves as chair of the Trans-NIH Mouse Initiative, which develops priorities for mouse genomics and genetic resources at NIH. For more information on what knockout mice are, how they are made and what they are used for, go to www.genome.gov/12514551. Patient Advocate Spotlight: Children's Craniofacial Association Children's Craniofacial Association is a national, 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, headquartered in Dallas, Texas, dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with facial differences and their families. Nationally and internationally, CCA addresses the medical, financial, psychosocial, emotional, and educational concerns relating to craniofacial conditions. CCA's mission is to empower and give hope to facially disfigured children and their families. CCA envisions a world where all people are accepted for who they are, not how they look. CCA disseminates information to educate craniofacial patients and their families, health care providers and the general public regarding craniofacial conditions. CCA also promotes public awareness of craniofacial conditions and social acceptance of individuals with facial disfigurement. Craniofacial patient families often call CCA seeking emotional support and to discuss problems, and to identify resources. Through our database we are able to network families with support groups and/or others who have similar conditions and experiences. We also keep a list of helpful resources and are always willing to listen and offer emotional support to family members who need a shoulder to lean on. It is very possible that without referral to a craniofacial center, affected children would not receive the comprehensive, quality medical treatment imperative to optimum results. Via the toll-free hotline CCA also provides much needed educational materials and emotional support. A craniofacial disorder refers to an abnormality of the face and/or the head. Craniofacial differences can result from abnormal growth patterns of the face or skull, which involves soft tissue and bones. A craniofacial condition may include disfigurement brought about by birth defect, disease or trauma. For more information, visit: www.ccakids.org Parental Stress Affects Development of Children With Craniofacial Anomalies [Parenting Stress in Infancy and Psychosocial Adjustment in Toddlerhood: A Longitudinal Study of Children With Craniofacial Anomalies; The Cleft Palate–Craniofacial Journal], 2005; Vol. 42 (5):556-559 Newswise -- A new study suggests that the stress of parenting an infant with a craniofacial anomaly (CFA) leads to adverse outcomes as children develop. The study appears in the latest issue of The Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal. Parental stress begins with the initial shock of learning of the CFA. Parents then must also deal with other people's negative responses to the disfigurement, which can isolate a new family when they need support. Several studies have indicated that children with CFAs may elicit a style of parenting that is less active and responsive than that of healthy infants. The new study looked at this stress and how it related to infant and toddler development. Researchers found a reciprocal relationship between parenting stress and child adjustment. Parents who had high levels of stress during their children's infant and toddler stages showed clinical levels of total parental stress and a parent-child dysfunctional interaction. Their toddlers showed higher levels of maladjustment than children with parents showing stress only during child infancy. Thus, elevated levels of parenting stress seen only during infancy may be stable through toddlerhood. To counter developmental problems, specific guidance tailored to parents of newborns with CFAs could have positive effects on the psychosocial well-being of parents and their children. Guidance includes early, accurate information about the child’s condition and practical instructions about how to care for the child. Seeking supportive services such as networking with other parents who have children with CFAs may also prove helpful. To read the entire study, click here: www.allenpress.com/pdf/cpcj_42_416_556_559.pdf The Cleft Palate–Craniofacial Journal is the official journal of the American Cleft Palate–Craniofacial Association. For more information, visit www.cpcjournal.org Neanderthal Teeth Grew No Faster than Comparable Modern Humans' Newswise -- Recent research suggested that ancient Neanderthals might have had an accelerated childhood compared to that of modern humans but that seems flawed, based on a new assessment by researchers from Ohio State University and the University of Newcastle. They found that the rate of tooth growth present in the Neanderthal fossils they examined was comparable to that of three different populations of modern humans. And since the rate of tooth growth has become a more-accepted tool for estimating the length of childhood among hominids, the finding is the latest evidence suggesting that Neanderthals may not have been as different from modern humans as some researchers have thought. The study by Debbie Guatelli-Steinberg, assistant professor of anthropology at Ohio State, appeared in the current issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Donald J. Reid, lecturer in oral biology at the University of Newcastle, Thomas A. Bishop, associate professor of statistics, and Clark Larsen, professor and chair of anthropology, both at Ohio State, were co-authors in the study. Key to this conclusion are microscopic lines on the outside of teeth that mark the incremental growth of enamel on a young tooth. Like tree rings that can gauge the age of a redwood, these striations – called perikymata – record new growth on the surface of the tooth. The length of time is important, the researchers say, because unlike all other primates, humans have an extended period of childhood growth, during which brain matures both in size and through experiences. Some earlier hominids matured far more quickly than modern humans. "The question is when exactly did that pattern of development evolve in the growth of humans," she said. Issue Brief Highlights Need For Primary Prevention of Oral Disease In Children Early Childhood Caries Trends Upward, a research brief published by the Children's Dental Health Project (CDHP), presents an analysis of new data on the oral health of children in the United States. The CDHP issue brief is based on research published in the August 26, 2005, issue of Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, the first release of national oral health data since the Surgeon General's 2000 report on oral health. The brief presents statistics on trends in dental caries and oral health disparities among children and also presents implications of the research findings. The brief is intended for use by policymakers, health professionals, and others in preventing oral disease and promoting the oral health of children and their families. The brief is available at www.cdhp.org/downloads/mmwrfinal90805.pdf. The MMWR report titled, Surveillance for Dental Caries, Dental Sealants, Tooth Retention, Edentulism, and Enamel Fluorosis: United States, 1988 - 1994 and 1999 - 2002, is available at www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5403a1.htm. Use of Non-COX-2-Specific NSAIDs Halves Odds for Oral Cancer Newswise -- An analysis of 20 years of data on the health of over 900 adults has found that long-term use of traditional nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen, cuts the risk for oral cancer in smokers by half. However, use of these pain relievers (with the exception of aspirin) for 6 months or more also doubled users' risks for cardiovascular death, according to collaborative research published online Oct. 7 by The Lancet. The study was conducted by researchers at the Norwegian Radium Hospital and The National Hospital in Oslo; University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway; NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City; The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston; and the University of Helsinki. "Our findings highlight how a commonly used drug can have a benefit from the standpoint of cancer prevention but can also have side effects - in this case, an increased risk for cardiovascular death," said co-researcher Dr. Andrew Dannenberg, the Henry R. Erle, M.D., Professor of Medicine at Weill Medical College of Cornell University and Director of Cancer Prevention at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell. The findings, "also support moves by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which recently mandated special 'black box' warning labels on all NSAID pain relievers except aspirin, warning consumers of potential cardiovascular side effects linked to long-term use," added lead researcher Dr. Jon Sudbø, a senior consultant in the Department of Medical Oncology and Radiotherapy at Norwegian Radium Hospital. The new FDA-mandated labeling applies to both the over-the-counter and prescription versions of these drugs. The agency's decision followed earlier moves in 2004 and 2005, when two COX-2 enzyme-specific NSAIDs were withdrawn from the market - first Vioxx was voluntarily recalled by Merck in September 2004, and then the FDA ordered the recall of Bextra earlier this spring. "Specifically, we were looking for associations between the long-term use of traditional, non-COX-2-specific NSAIDs and the risk of oral cancer, since previous work has suggested that these drugs can lower risks for other malignancies, such as colon cancer," explained co-researcher Dr. Scott M. Lippman, Ellen F. Knisely Distinguished Chair and Chairman of the Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. The investigators stressed that the study does have its limitations. First, the NSAIDs used in the study were available to Norwegians via prescription only, and it's not clear whether dosages used by the survey participants were similar in strength to popular American over-the-counter products like Aleve (naproxen), Motrin (ibuprofen), or Advil (ibuprofen). In addition, Dr. Dannenberg and co-author Dr. J. Jack Lee, Professor of Biostatistics at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, stressed that although the data themselves were collected prospectively, the study remains a relatively small, retrospective effort. "It's tough to make sweeping generalizations until the results are confirmed by much larger, prospective trials," they said. Head, Neck Infections Due to Dental Cysts More Common than Perceived Newswise -- Dentigerous cysts, or those arising from teeth, are benign, associated with the crowns of permanent teeth, usually involving impacted, unerupted teeth. In 75 percent of all cases, they are located in the mandible, the U-shaped bone forming the lower jaw. The mandibular third molar and maxillary canine are involved most frequently. Dentigerous cysts are the second most common odontogenic cysts after those related to the roots of the teeth. They usually present in the second or third decade of life and are rarely seen in childhood. Dentigerous cysts are usually solitary with multiple cysts reported on occasion in association with syndromes such as mucopolysaccharidosis and basal cell nevus syndrome. Typically, dentigerous cysts are painless, considered sterile, but may cause facial swelling and delayed tooth eruption. However, head and neck specialists have recently encountered several cases of dentigerous cysts presenting as recurrent head and neck infections or as a deep neck space abscess. A literature review revealed three cases of submasseteric abscess caused by dentigerous cysts and one case of superior orbital fissure syndrome caused by an infected maxillary dentigerous cyst, all reported in the the dental literature. As this is an ill-defined presentation for these cysts and is underreported, especially in the otolaryngologic literature, the otolaryngologist--head and neck surgeons undertook an extensive chart review spanning thirty years in an effort to better delineate this unusual presentation. Their findings are available in the study, "Dentigerous Cysts Presenting as Head and Neck Infections," authored by Joseph L. Smith, II MD, and Robert M. Kellman MD, both from the Department of Otolaryngology and Communication Sciences, Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY. Their findings are to be presented at the 109th Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO of the American Academy of Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery Foundation, being held September 25-28, 2005, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA. Adults With Wisdom Teeth Often Develop Gum Disease
By Rob Stein, The Washington Post The research, which is being released today, should prompt more dentists and patients to closely monitor the extra molars -- and consider removing them -- even if they are not impacted or causing obvious problems, experts said. Data from 254 patients in their twenties who opted to keep all four wisdom teeth and underwent detailed follow-up examinations found that a surprisingly high proportion -- 60 percent -- already had signs of early gum disease around those teeth when the study began, and about 25 percent experienced a worsening over the next two years. Wisdom teeth, also known as, "third molars," are the last teeth to emerge, usually pushing through the gums between ages 17 and 25. The decision about whether to extract them if they are not causing pain or damaging other teeth remains highly controversial among dentists because few well-designed studies have evaluated the issue. "This research is very important to dentistry," said Leon Assael, an oral surgeon at the Oregon Health & Sciences University in Portland who edits the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, which will publish the studies. "It indicates that there are both general oral health and overall health implications related to the wisdom teeth that were not known before." The new data come from a series of studies the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons launched in the late 1990s at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and the University of Kentucky in Lexington. The first findings will be described at a news conference today in Boston in advance of the group's annual meeting. "The conventional wisdom is that people who have gum disease typically don't have a problem until they are 35 or 40 years old," said Raymond P. White Jr. of the University of North Carolina, who led the studies. "We found it is much more prevalent than anyone believed at a much younger age than anyone thought." Gum disease occurs when bacteria grow in the tissue supporting teeth, which can damage the tissue and cause spaces known as pockets to form around the roots. As it worsens, the infection can loosen and damage the teeth, eventually requiring them to be pulled. Wisdom teeth are particularly vulnerable because they are difficult to reach and keep clean. Once the bacteria get established in the mouth, the risk they will spread and damage other teeth increases significantly. Data collected from another study involving 1,020 pregnant women in their twenties at Duke University found that those who kept their wisdom teeth and had the worst signs of gum disease were more than twice as likely to give birth prematurely -- on a par with the risk associated with cigarette smoking, the researchers found. "This fits in with the idea that if you have chronic inflammation some place, you're at greater risk for negative health outcomes, in this case preterm birth," White said. "Women planning on getting pregnant should be certain to get their teeth and mouth checked and certainly shouldn't forget about their wisdom teeth," White said. "No one thought of checking women of this age for periodontal disease because no one would have thought it could be a problem." The increased risk could not be explained by factors such as age, diet, weight, previous preterm birth, marital status or lack of health insurance, White said. Bruce Pihlstrom of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research said the findings were interesting but not conclusive. "It is an association. It doesn't demonstrate cause and effect, by any means," said Pihlstrom, whose institute is funding two large studies to see whether treating gum disease reduces the risk of preterm birth. The Liverpool Declaration: Promoting Oral Health in the 21st Century A Call for Action The 8th World Congress on Preventive Dentistry (WCPD) took place from 7-10 September 2005 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. The WCPD was organized jointly by the International Association for Dental Research (IADR), the Work Health Organization (WHO), the European Association of Dental Public Health (EADPH), and the British Association for the Study of Community Dentistry (BASCD). Participants from 43 countries addressed the prevention of oral diseases which are significant burdens on children and adults worldwide. The good news is that oral diseases are preventable and considerable improvements can be made if appropriate public health programs are established. The participants emphasized that oral health is an integral part of genera health and well-being and a basic human right. Participants tool note of the World Health Organization's "Bangkok Charter for Health Promotion in a Globalized World" (Bangkok, Thailand, 2005) and affirmed their commitment to support the work carried out by national and international health authorities, research institutions, non-governmental organizations and civil society for the promotion of health and prevention of oral diseases. Brush, Floss and Eat Your Gummi Bears! Newswise -- Volunteers are chewing up Gummi Bears sweetened with xylitol, a naturally occurring sugar that reduces tooth decay, to prove that the special Gummis can be as good for your teeth as xylitol-sweetened chewing gum - and a lot more fun. "It surprises a lot of people that any kind of Gummi Bear could be healthy for teeth, since these candies are so sticky, and really cling to teeth," says the study's lead researcher Dr. Peter Milgrom. "Our goal was to get xylitol, which is good for teeth, into kids' diets, without encouraging them to chew gum in school. Gummi Bears are the answer!" Milgrom, University of Washington professor of dentistry and the director of the Northwest/Alaska Center to Reduce Oral Health Disparities, convinced a California candy maker to add xylitol to batches of Gummi Bears. "It's already a popular sweetener for chewing gum," Milgrom notes. "After they started using it in Japan in gum, it took over the market. I expect the xylitol Gummi Bears to do the same here, especially since the sweetener doesn't change the flavor or sticky texture." Milgrom's team has worked with food manufacturers to add xylitol to cookies, pudding and other desserts that could be introduced into meals at schools and Head Start programs. The xylitol Gummi Bears are not on the market, so kids and adults don't yet have dental permission to eat sugary Gummi critters by the handful. After the UW study results are compiled next spring, a trip to the dentist could end with the advice, "Every day, I want you to brush, floss, and eat your Gummi Bears!" Daniel Laskin, DDS, MS New TMJ Association Clinical Advisor Dr. Laskin recently became a Clinical Advisor to the TMJ Association, following many years of voluntarily helping TMS answer the difficult questions posed by patients through www.tmj.org, and editing the informational brochures. "I think that, unfortunately, some patients received inappropriate treatment. My goals are to see that people in our field provide the appropriate treatment for patients, that patients learn the right questions to ask practitioners, and that patients are empowered to ask them." Dr. Laskin is currently Professor and Chairman Emeritus of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the School of Dentistry and the Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in the School of Medicine at the Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University. In 1993, he received the Norton M. Ross Award for Excellence in Clinical Research from the American Dental Association. Roth Becomes ADA President-Elect Kathleen Roth, DDS, of West Bend, Wisconsin was elected American Dental Association President-elect during voting, which occurred at the ADA House of Delegates meeting in Philadelphia. She will become ADA President at the end of the 2006 ADA Annual Session in Las Vegas next October. "While campaigning for the office of ADA president-elect, I have met wonderful dentists across this country who I feel fortunate to call colleagues. They have displayed their heartfelt concerns about patient care and our profession." "My visits have reinforced my belief that we must grow and expand the opportunities to treat patients by considering new models of delivery, educating and diversifying the dental team, while maintaining the dentist as the team leader. As we explore these new territories, it is important to hold firm our foundation of quality patient care as our guiding principle." "Our Association must continue to base decisions on the best interests of our patients, our members' needs and our responsibilities to maintain a respected learned health care profession. It is essential that we meet the challenges of dental education head on by creating a dental education environment built on curriculum advancements utilizing the science, materials and technologies of today's world and on tomorrow's horizon." "This is an exciting time. The oral health challenges of today are the opportunities for tomorrow. I look forward to the opportunity to lead the Association." Needed for Research: Women Affected by Ectodermal Dysplasia or Are Carriers If you are a woman affected by ectodermal dysplasia or if you are a woman who is a CARRIER of the gene, we need your help. Dr. Jill Powell is investigating how and if the ED syndromes impact women's health. The surveys were mailed in September. If you have not received your survey, email Mary Fete, NFED Research Coordinator at mary@nfed.org to receive your copy. If you have your survey, please complete it and mail it back to the NFED as soon as possible. Thanks for your help! For more information, go to www.nfed.org/GeneralAnnounce.htm. Funding for Biomedical Research Doubles in Last Decade Newswise -- From 1994 to 2003, total funding for biomedical research in the U.S. doubled to $94.3 billion, with industry providing 57 percent of the funding and the National Institutes of Health providing 28 percent, according to a study in the September 21 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on medical research. Lead author Hamilton Moses III, M.D., of the Alerion Institute, North Garden, Va., presented the findings of the study at a JAMA media briefing on medical research. Few comprehensive analyses of the sources of financial support of biomedical research and uses of these funds have been available, according to background information in the article. This results in inadequate information on which to base investment decisions and can create a barrier to judging the value of research to society. Previous articles have examined specific sectors, but few have done so comprehensively. Dr. Moses and colleagues conducted a study to determine the level and trend from 1994 to 2004 of basic, translational (the application of knowledge of basic science research to clinical care), and clinical U.S. biomedical research support from the major sponsors of this research: (1) federal government, (2) state and local governments, (3) private not-for-profit entities including foundations, and (4) industry. The researchers compiled publicly available data for federal, state, and local governments; foundations; charities; universities; and industry. Proprietary (by subscription but openly available) databases were used to supplement public sources. The researchers found that biomedical research funding increased from $37.1 billion in 1994 to $94.3 billion in 2003 and doubled when adjusted for inflation. Principal research sponsors in 2003 were industry (57 percent) and the National Institutes of Health (28 percent). Relative proportions from all public and private sources did not change. Industry sponsorship of clinical trials increased from $4.0 to $14.2 billion (in real terms) while federal proportions devoted to basic and applied research were unchanged. The United States spent an estimated 5.6 percent of its total health expenditures on biomedical research, more than any other country, but less than 0.1 percent for health services research. From an economic perspective, biotechnology and medical device companies were most productive, as measured by new diagnostic and therapeutic devices per dollar of research and development cost. Productivity declined for new pharmaceuticals. The NIH is by far the largest federal funder of biomedical research. Adjusted for inflation, NIH obligations nearly doubled (in 2003 dollars) from $13.4 billion in 1994 to $26.4 billion in 2003. Private support for biomedical research, adjusted for inflation, increased 36 percent from $1.8 billion in 1994 to $2.5 billion in 2003 (in 2003 dollars). Private support for biomedical research comes primarily from foundations, voluntary health organizations, and the free-standing research institutes. Industry funding from pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device firms increased 102 percent from $26.8 billion in 1994 to an inflation-adjusted $54.1 billion in 2003 (in 2003 dollars). The growth rate (inflation adjusted) for the medical device sector (264 percent) exceeded that for either the pharmaceutical (89 percent) or biotechnology (98 percent) sectors. The proportion of biomedical research support coming from industry sources remained relatively constant and was 56 percent for 1994 and 58 percent for 2003. The federal government and foundations spent $1.4 billion on health policy and health services research in 2002. Federal funding for health services research came primarily from the NIH ($787 million in fiscal year 2002) and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality ($299 million in fiscal year 2002). The sum of federal and foundation spending for health services research in 2002 was an estimated 1.5 percent of biomedical research funding. "The doubling over a decade of total spending by U.S. public and private research sponsors in real, inflation-adjusted, terms should be reassuring to those who fear that financial sponsorship for research is not paralleling scientific opportunity. It is also reassuring that spending on health and biomedical science research by companies and government is not following reductions in research and development in other industries or reduced support for other areas of science. By comparison, the low proportion of spending on health services research is especially notable, since it is the main tool available to evaluate the clinical benefit of technology," the authors write. (JAMA. 2005; 294:1333 - 1342. Available pre-embargo to the media at www.jamamedia.org) Superstar Mary J. Blige Lends Her Voice to Crest Healthy Smiles This Holiday Season R&B Star Records Song Exclusively for Oral Health Awareness Program To Benefit Children in Need Cincinnati, Oct. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- R&B superstar Mary J. Blige will pass along a smile to millions of children this holiday season as she partners with Crest(tm) Healthy Smiles to raise awareness about the country's oral health epidemic. With the purchase of Crest products(1) this year during November and December, Crest will make a donation of a toothbrush and toothpaste to a deserving child. As a thank you for their purchase, consumers can log onto www.cresthealthysmiles.com, and download a remake of James Taylor's hit song, "Your Smiling Face," which Blige recorded exclusively for Crest Healthy Smiles and Boys & Girls Clubs of America. "I recorded 'Your Smiling Face' because I believe it captures the joy and warmth that another person's smile can bring," said Blige. "Crest Healthy Smiles helps bring smiles to the faces of millions of families. I'm thrilled to be part of the program to make a difference in the health of so many kids in need." "Crest is excited to be working with Mary J. Blige to help bring smiles to millions of children this holiday season," said Diane Dietz, General Manager - Procter & Gamble North America Oral Care. "Not only will this partnership impact deserving children immensely by bringing them the necessary tools for achieving healthy, beautiful smiles for life, but we will bring smiles to millions of people through the gift of music." To download Blige's free, exclusive remake of "Your Smiling Face," consumers must log onto www.cresthealthysmiles.com and enter a Crest product UPC code. Crest(tm) is owned and distributed by Procter & Gamble. For more information on Crest Healthy Smiles, log onto www.cresthealthysmiles.com. Dental and Vision Insurance Pushed Back Until December 2006
By Karen Rutzick, krutzick@govexec.com The coverage will be in addition to standard health insurance. It will be voluntary, and will not include any subsidy from the federal government. OPM said that the size of the federal population could be used as a negotiating tool to obtain lower rates. The government is in the process of soliciting bids from both national and regional health insurance providers for the insurance. Initially, OPM said the dental and vision coverage would be available to employees beginning July 2006, but the office said it is pushing the date back so that open enrollment will correspond with open enrollment for standard health insurance and Flexible Spending Accounts. The open season for all three will run from mid-November to mid-December each year. For the full story, please visit: www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=32272&dcn=e_gvet John Zapp, DDS, Remembered A public memorial service will be held Nov. 18 in Bethesda, Md., for Dr. John S. Zapp, who died Oct. 12 after a battle with cancer. The service will begin at 1:30 p.m. at Bethesda's Congressional Country Club, 8500 River Road. Dr. Zapp, ADA executive director from 1993-2001, was buried Oct. 18 after a private service in Vancouver, Wash. He was 73 years old. He is survived by his widow, Nancy, three daughters and one son. "Our friends in dentistry have helped ease the pain of John's loss through many expressions of sympathy and kindness," said Nancy Zapp. "I'm grateful that John's dedication to improving dental health is so widely recognized. He devoted his life to making the lives of others better; it is a consolation to know that he held such a special place on this Earth." Dr. Zapp came to the ADA in April 1993 after five years in government service and nearly two decades overseeing the American Medical Association's Washington operations. Born in Idaho Sept. 28, 1932, Dr. Zapp spent three years in the U.S. Marine Corps, earning a Purple Heart in the Korean conflict. He returned home, went back to school and received his undergraduate degree in 1957 from Boise College. Dr. Zapp earned his dental degree in 1961 from Omaha's Creighton University School of Dentistry. That year, he moved to Dalles, Oregon, where he established a private practice and took an interest in a community project. In 1964, Dr. Zapp was recognized as one of Oregon's "Ten Outstanding Young Men." Five years later, he was named special assistant for dental affairs with the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW, now Health and Human Services). At HEW, he moved steadily up the ladder: deputy assistant secretary for health manpower, then deputy assistant secretary for health legislation. His government work attracted attention from AMA leaders who hired him in 1974 as director of the association’s Department of Congressional Relations. Dr. Zapp was promoted regularly and in 1990 was named AMA vice president for Government Affairs—a post he held until the ADA Board of Trustees appointed him executive director in 1993. After eight years as the ADA's chief executive officer, Dr. Zapp stepped down in March 2001, confident that he was leaving the Association "stronger, more responsive to its members and better organized" than he found it. "It's been terrific," Dr. Zapp told the House of Delegates shortly after announcing his retirement. With emotion welling in his voice, he added, "I've enjoyed being your executive director, and I thank you." Dr. Zapp was one of the founding members of the Friends of the NIDCR (the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research). He served the organization as its president from 2001-03 and thereafter remained an active member of its Executive Committee. In April 2005, Dr. Zapp was named chairman of the OSAP Foundation (the Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures) but stepped down from the post when his health took a turn. The Zapp family has identified the OSAP Foundation as the preferred recipient for memorial donations in Dr. Zapp's name. The mailing address is OSAP Foundation, P.O. Box 6297, Annapolis, Md. 21401. The Foundation's Web site is www.osap.org. Source: American Dental Association Funding Opportunities
Development and Improvement of Inbred ES Cell Lines for Use in Generation of Mouse Mutants
Genetic and Genomic Analyses of Xenopus
Neuroscience Blueprint Interdisciplinary Center Core Grants
Small Business Innovation Research to Improve The Chemistry and Targeted Delivery of RNAi Molecules (SBIR [R43/R44])
Small Business Technology Transfer to Improve The Chemistry and Targeted Delivery of RNAi Molecules (STTR [R41/R42])
Small Business Innovation Research Program Parent Announcement (SBIR [R43/R44]): Electronic Submission of Grant Applications through Grants.gov
Small Business Technology Transfer Program Parent Announcement (STTR [R41/R42]): Electronic Submission of Grant Applications through Grants.gov
Bioengineering Nanotechnology Initiative (STTR [R41/R42])
Bioengineering Nanotechnology Initiative - SBIR (R43/R44)
Manufacturing Processes of Medical, Dental, and Biological Technologies (STTR [R41/R42])
Manufacturing Processes of Medical, Dental, and Biological Technologies (SBIR [R43/R44])
NIDCR Clinical Pilot Data Grant
NIDCR Clinical Trial Planning Grant |