NIDCR News 2022

Oral Health in America report editors authored a series of perspective papers and accompanying editorials that draw on the report’s findings to propose strategies for addressing the nation’s oral health challenges.

Researchers discovered that protein “entry factors” used by the SARS-CoV-2 virus to invade cells were present on and around human taste nerves.

By imaging twinkling neurons that light up in response to pain, NIDCR researchers found that blocking the Cdk5 protein dampens pain signaling in mice. The findings could help scientists find safer, non-opioid pain relief options.

Certain gut bacteria trigger an immune response that prompts loss of tooth-supporting bone. The findings point to a role for gut microbes in oral health and could inform treatment approaches for gum disease-associated bone loss.

Expanding eligibility for public coverage of dental care was linked to partial reductions in racial and ethnic disparities in use of dental services, suggesting that insurance coverage is one of multiple factors that could improve access to care.

From a tooth-on-a-chip to a salivary gland chip and more, scientists are developing microchips that mimic parts of our mouths. These NIDCR-supported studies are peering into the inner workings of the oral cavity to develop better dental materials and new therapies.

Equalizing oral health and access to care will require research and policy initiatives that make oral health care more affordable, accessible, and responsive to communities, write NIDCR Director Rena N. D’Souza, Science Advisor to the President and former National Institutes of Health Director Francis S. Collins, and U.S. Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy, in a perspective published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Recent studies by NIDCR immunologists and neuroscientists indicate that not all itch is created equal, and that treatments tailored to specific kinds of itch may offer more effective relief than a one-size-fits-all approach.

NIDCR researchers and colleagues found that a tooth-hardening protein prevents bone loss in mice, which could lead to potential treatments for conditions marked by bone loss, including severe gum disease and osteoporosis.

NIDCR has released a new strategic plan outlining its research and training priorities over a five-year period (2021-2026).

As head of NIDCR’s Division of Extramural Activities, Dr. Lynn King oversees grants management, scientific review, and research training and career development activities.