Overview & Mission

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.

Our Mission

The mission of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research is to advance fundamental knowledge about dental, oral, and craniofacial (DOC) 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.

Timeline of NIDCR's History

Interested in learning about the history of NIDCR? Explore our interactive timeline which details NIDCR's history from 1945 to present.

A fact sheet with the title "Fiscal Year 2023 Highlights Across the Institute." Includes four images: a researcher working in a lab, a scientific image, a doctor examining a child's mouth, and two women in a lab looking at test tubes
NIDCR Highlights 2025

Get key facts about our mission and research.

Last Reviewed
January 2026