NIDCR director to deliver lecture at UB on state of oral health

Rena D’Souza, director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), will visit the School of Dental Medicine to deliver a report on the status of oral health in the United States and to discuss the importance of equity, diversity and inclusion within the biomedical sciences.

The lecture, “Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges,” is the final talk in the school’s Faculty Advancement Series and is organized by the school’s Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. 

The event is open to all and scheduled from 1-3 p.m. June 22 in 150 Farber Hall, South Campus. Guests who cannot attend in person may view the program via Zoom. Registration is encouraged in advance on the event website.

D’Souza’s discussion will explore the past 20 years of oral health in the U.S., and its impact on communities and the economy. The NIDCR report also addresses scientific and technological advancements, oral health disparities, and the effects of substance misuse and mental health conditions on oral health.

D’Souza will also emphasize the benefits of equity, diversity and inclusion within research settings, and share how dental researchers can incorporate and strengthen equity, diversity and inclusion within their teams and grant applications. 

As director of the NIDCR, D’Souza oversees the institute’s annual budget of nearly $485 million, supporting basic, translational and clinical research in areas of oral cancer, orofacial pain, tooth decay, periodontal disease and more.

Prior to becoming NIDCR director, D’Souza was assistant vice president for academic affairs and education for the health sciences at the University of Utah. She is a past president of the American Association for Dental Research and the International Association for Dental Research, and has authored more than 150 publications and book chapters on craniofacial development, matrix biology and tissue regeneration.