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Invest in Oral Health Research: May 25, 2000 Press Release Comments by D. Walter Cohen, DDS Recent research efforts have placed us on the threshold of demonstrating the fundamental link between oral health and overall systemic health. The Surgeon General's report released today represents an historic moment as we move toward a better understanding and more global definition of oral health and its importance. To achieve the vision laid out by the Surgeon General, our nation must continue to make significant investments in dental, craniofacial and oral health research. We must seize the day and build on the promise of the future through research. Over the past two years, Congress has wisely moved toward doubling the overall budget of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). As part of that general goal, we must ensure that oral health research is part of this rising tide. The Friends of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), a coalition of patient advocacy organizations, dental schools, dental societies and industry, commends the Surgeon General on this critical report. We call on Congress and the Administration to fully fund the world's leading sponsor of research and research training in biomedical and behavioral sciences to improve and promote dental, oral and craniofacial health - the NIDCR. Background: The Friends of the NIDCR (http://www.fnidcr.org) is a broad based coalition that supports the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR). The Friends promote the critical importance of dental, oral and craniofacial health to the well-being of society. Back to the News Center |