Summary: The American Dental Association (ADA) opposes a House Republican proposal to restructure the National Institutes of Health (NIH) by merging the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) with a new Institute of Neuroscience and Brain Research. The ADA and other organizations argue this change could negatively impact dental, oral, and craniofacial research.

Key Takeaways:

  • The ADA opposes moving NIDCR under a new Institute of Neuroscience and Brain Research, fearing it could overshadow dental and craniofacial research.
  • The coalition is concerned about cuts to facilities and administrative costs, impacting critical infrastructure and compliance.
  • The ADA supports proposals for increased transparency, accountability, and responsiveness at NIH but rejects restructuring that could dilute focused research areas.

The American Dental Association opposed a House Republican proposal that would fundamentally restructure the National Institutes of Health.

Proposed Changes to NIDCR’s Reporting Structure

The Republican proposal would place the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research under a newly created Institute of Neuroscience and Brain Research. NIDCR currently reports to the director of NIH.

In a joint coalition letter to House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., the ADA, American Association for Dental, Oral, And Craniofacial Research and 20 other groups urged House Republicans to consider the impact the change would have on dental, oral and craniofacial research.

“Having a dedicated institute centered on this region ensures research funding for areas like tooth development, gum disease, orofacial pain, and craniofacial birth defects without being overshadowed by broader health concerns,” the coalition wrote.

Concerns Over Cutting Facilities and Administrative Costs

The coalition also expressed concern over recommendations to significantly cut facilities and administrative costs, which include construction and maintenance, utility expenses, labor costs, research and data processing, disposal of hazardous waste material, and compliance obligations.

Support for Transparency and Accountability at NIH

The coalition expressed support for some recommendations in the proposal, including enhanced transparency, accountability, and responsiveness at NIH. The proposal would expand the agency’s 12-year term limits for mid-level leadership positions to senior-level leadership positions.

“There is an opportunity for NIH to demonstrate its commitment to these principles by implementing some of the recommendations from the framework, such as ensuring NIH officials abide by financial transparency requirements; setting guidelines for public-private partnerships to prevent the appearance of corporate influence on research; disclosing all third-party financial benefits; and implementing new policies and protocols to enhance oversight of investigations into allegations of misconduct,” the letter reads.

Previous ADA Opposition to Appropriations Act Provisions

The ADA previously sent a letter to the House Appropriations Committee expressing opposition to provisions in the fiscal year 2025 Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. The Association also joined a coalition of 222 other organizations in a July 9 letter opposing the NIH restructuring proposal.