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Annual Conference Since 1998, The Friends of NIDCR has hosted its Annual Conference & Awards in Washington DC for its members and friends from the US, Canada and abroad.
Friends of NIDCR 2012 Annual Conference & Awards: The spotlight focused on the significant inroads in research conducted and/or funded by the National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) as The Friends of NIDCR hosted its 2012 Annual Conference & Awards in Washington, DC on December 6th.
She added, "Our Dinner Keynote speaker, Mary Woolley, President, Research!America, presented the argument for the U.S. to make medical and health research a higher national priority." Ms. Hammitt continued, "On a lighter note, all had an opportunity to socialize at the afternoon reception, applaud the achievements of this year's awardees at the Dinner and enjoy time with colleagues." Congressman Gosar Provides His Assessment
A Conference Tradition: The NIDCR Director's Address
Former Director's Book Signing
AFTERNOON SESSIONS The theme for the two panel discussions and presentations concentrated on "Exploring the Research Interface between Academia, Industry, Practice & Patient." beginning with a patient advocacy segment, followed by NIDCR–funded research and ending with a first-time industry roundtable discussion for FNIDCR. Over 40 Million Americans Represented In Patient Advocacy Panel
The NIDCR has long recognized and highlighted the importance of the ultimate beneficiary of the medical and scientific research it supports - the patient. "NIDCR research covers a wide breadth of diseases and conditions making the subsequent number of patients who benefit from NIDCR support astounding" said Christian Stohler, FNIDCR President and Dean, University of Maryland Dental School. To showcase this vital focus, FNIDCR invited members of the patient advocacy community to talk about the diseases and conditions represented by their organizations and the importance of NIDCR in providing hope for the future through its research programs. "The Patient Advocacy Panel not only emphasized the range of beneficiaries but put a human face on the link between the science and those who eventually benefit from that science" said Kathy Hammitt. Providing a glimpse of five such diseases and conditions that total more than 40 million Americans, participants were (in the photo above, left to right):
NIDCR-Funded Research
Industry Roundtable on Public-Private Partnerships
Each of the participants shared examples with the audience: Virginia M. Barnes, DDS, MS, (seated middle, in photo) an Associate Director for Clinical Research at the Colgate Palmolive Company, shared that Colgate frequently partners with public institutions in order to access best in class researchers for sub-clinical method development. She also described the Bright Smiles, Bright Future program where Colgate seeks out partners globally from the public sector to enhance their oral health education program. Tim Lorencovitz, MBA, (seated left, in photo) a Marketing Manager for Sultan Healthcare, Division of DENTSPLY International, described his experience when Sultan unexpectedly identified a collaborator at an IADR meeting. Sultan was able to leverage the researcher's knowledge on reducing mercury in waste water to enable a successful market launch of a much improved amalgam separator. Mr. Lorencovitz also described his role as the Vice Chairman of the OSAP (Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention) Board, which represents a broad constituency of educators, clinicians and manufacturers to support the OSAP mission. OSAP has already demonstrated success in public-private collaborations and is willing to extend their expertise to NIDCR and other stakeholders. Howard Rose (right, in photo) President, Firsthand Technology, shared how his Company has leveraged the SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) funding process at NIDCR. They developed a 3D game, "Attack of the Strep Mutans", which has generated evidence that through interactive play 8-12 year olds build their knowledge of oral health, leading not only to awareness but meaningful behavior change. The roundtable generated many interesting questions from the audience which will build the foundation for continuing the dialogue at our conference next year. Special thanks to the Dental Trade Alliance for their sponsorship of the roundtable and to J. Leslie Winston, DDS, PhD, (standing in photo), Director, Global Oral Care Professional & Scientific Relations, P&G, who coordinated the speakers as the Roundtable Chair and Moderator. DINNER & AWARDS Provocative Remarks at Dinner Given by
Ms. Woolley's organization, Research!America has been at the forefront in not-for-profit, grassroots public education and advocacy. Her op-eds and letters to the editor are published in newspapers and magazines from coast to coast. In her keynote address to the Friends of NIDCR, she warned about the devastating impact sequestration will have on research, including research conducted at NIDCR. "The National Institutes of Health budget would lose approximately two-and-a-half billion dollars, and according to NIH Director Francis Collins, this would result in roughly 2,300 fewer grants awarded in fiscal year 2013, representing a quarter of new and competing grants," she said. "For NIDCR, this could mean 40 - 50 fewer new and competing grant awards." Under the message of "We need cures, not cuts," Woolley urged the audience to speak up in defense of research, and she thanked the Friends of NIDCR for participating in Research!America's "Save Research!" November advocacy campaign. And the Awards Go to:
Thank you friends, members and sponsors for your continued support!  
Thank You to our Sponsors
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Awards are presented to honor significant accomplishments in oral health, including education media, advocacy, lifetime achievement and public service. 
The Friends' 14-year tradition of promoting the work of the NIDCR attracted an audience of researchers, dental school deans, professors and researchers, clinicians, local area practitioners, and corporate and association executives. The national conference continues its rich history of assembling world-class leaders in an arena that invites sharing benchmark research as well as discussing upcoming challenges.
"The day truly covered the gamut of timely and highly charged topics, commencing with a patient advocacy panel discussion, a review of some pertinent NIDCR-funded research, and concluding with an industry roundtable," said Kathy Hammitt, MA, Vice President of Research, Sjögren's Syndrome Foundation and Conference Chair.
U.S Congressman Paul Gosar, DDS, received the Friends of NIDCR Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award for his decades of work in the field of dentistry in Arizona and for his embrace of public service as a U.S. Representative. In his response, Congressman Gosar, who is a member of the Congressional Oral Health Caucus, provided a realistic assessment of the nation's current fiscal condition but remained steadfast in his commitment to the importance of research. Congressman Gosar's dedication was clearly evident as he remained in attendance for the entire awards program to learn about the amazing work being performed by his fellow honorees in the oral health research community.
In her luncheon keynote address "Leading Edge Frontiers in Oral and Craniofacial Research," NIDCR Director Martha Somerman provided many examples of innovative research that is being supported and/or conducted by NIDCR and the great implications for clinical practice and future dental education.
Former NIDCR Director Harold Slavkin was present for a signing of his new book, 
The Friends of NIDCR debuted a patient advocacy panel discussion titled, "From Bench to Bedside: A Focus on the Bedside!" at its 2012 Annual Conference featuring panelists whose organizations represent more than 40 million Americans afflicted with diseases or conditions that NIDCR-research works to help cure.
Friends of NIDCR President Christian Stohler said "We take particular pride in the presentations we heard because they reflect how research conducted via NIDCR innovates, drives our nation's economy, and provides life-saving treatments and cures to the benefit of all Americans."
The 2012 Annual Conference also marked the first FNIDCR Industry Roundtable on Public-Private Partnerships. The intent was to drive awareness amongst the oral health community of the role that industry plans in their success.
In her remarks to the Friends, Mary Woolley warned that the nation's "
