Fast Facts

Who We Are

Established in 1948 by the signing of the National Dental Research Act, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) is the federal government's lead agency for scientific research on dental, oral, and craniofacial health and disease. NIDCR is one of the 27 institutes and centers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Explore an interactive timeline of NIDCR’s history.

Our Mission

NIDCR Intramural Researchers

The mission of NIDCR is to advance fundamental knowledge about dental, oral, and craniofacial health and disease and translate these findings into prevention, early detection, and treatment strategies that improve overall health for all individuals and communities across the lifespan.

How We Accomplish Our Mission

  • NIDCR-supported scientists conduct basic, translational, and clinical research. Among the areas of study are oral cancer, orofacial pain, tooth decay, periodontal disease, salivary gland dysfunction, craniofacial development and disorders, and the oral complications of systemic diseases.
  • NIDCR supports research training and career development programs for individuals at various stages of their careers, from high school students to independent scientists.
  • NIDCR shares research findings with the public, health care professionals, researchers, and policy makers. Institute staff also produce health information resources for consumers as well as dentists, physicians, and other health care providers.

Get more key facts about our mission and research in the NIDCR Highlights document [PDF - 2 pages, 698 KB].

Read about our research priorities in the NIDCR Strategic Plan.

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Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque, DDS, PhD
Acting Director

As the Acting Director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, Dr. Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque oversees NIDCR’s annual budget of more than $520 million, which supports basic, translational, and clinical research in areas of oral cancer, orofacial pain, tooth decay, periodontal disease, salivary gland dysfunction, craniofacial development and disorders, and the oral complications of systemic diseases.

researchers collaborating in the lab
Staff

NIDCR employs more than 400 scientists and administrators.

Stack of dollar bills
Budget

NIDCR's annual budget is approximately $520 million.

The Institute distributes about 75% of its research funding to universities, dental schools, medical schools, and small businesses, primarily in the United States.

NIDCR funds approximately 785 grants, 350 trainees, and 220 organizations.

NIH Building 31, Bethesda MD
Location

NIDCR headquarters are located on the NIH campus in Bethesda, MD, just 10 miles outside Washington, DC.

Last Reviewed
February 2025