Alexandria, VA – The American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) released the following statement today in response to President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget proposal, which includes steep cuts to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and to other federal agencies that contribute to improving the oral health of Americans.
“These proposed cuts would undermine decades of biomedical progress and set back research that improves oral and overall health, reduces health disparities, and saves lives,” said AADOCR President Effie Ioannidou. “Continued investment in NIH research must transcend efforts by this Administration to cut federal spending. Its value in terms of improving quality of life and extending human lifespans, not to mention the millions of jobs and billions of dollars in economic growth it generates, are almost impossible to quantify.”
The White House budget also includes a sweeping reorganization of the NIH that would consolidate its 27 institutes, including the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), a move that would vastly diminish its unique role advancing our understanding of the fundamental causes of oral diseases and conditions, and transforming the delivery of oral health care.
“An independent NIDCR ensures that oral health remains a visible and prioritized component of our national public health strategy. Consolidation would not only dilute its mission but also set back 75 years of scientific progress in oral health research, including continued exploration of the now well-established link between oral health and systemic disease,” said Ioannidou.
The proposal would also eliminate the CDC Division of Oral Health, which plays a vital role in improving oral health outcomes by promoting evidence-based interventions like dental sealants, fluoridated water, and infection prevention guidelines for dental offices.
AADOCR urges Congress to reject the proposed cuts to NIH, CDC, and other federal research and science agencies, and to ensure that any structural changes to NIH only occur after an open and transparent process that includes input from a variety of key stakeholders both from within the NIH as well as the broader research community.
About AADOCR
The American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research is a nonprofit organization with a mission to drive dental, oral, and craniofacial research to advance health and well-being. AADOCR represents the individual scientists, clinician-scientists, dental professionals, and students based in academic, government, non-profit and private-sector institutions who share our mission. AADOCR is the largest division of the International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research. Learn more at www.aadocr.org.
