The Front OfficeDental materials research
Section snippets
Background
Meeting the current and future challenges of oral health maintenance and healing through high-quality materials that are biocompatible, durable, and easy to use at a low cost is a high priority for the dental profession. In addition, materials should be environmentally sustainable and stable during transport and storage no matter what the environment is. The Minamata Convention has been the catalyst for global dental materials research. The challenges of this area were outlined.
Policies and Strategies
Current global policy offers the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) and its partners the opportunity to create a multi-stakeholder alliance that will help to deliver a dental research agenda that considers social, economic, and environmentally sustainable aspects of health and development outcomes. The goals include establishing novel steps for getting research findings into practice, policy, and health systems; ensuring consistent, coherent dental policies worldwide;
Roles of Industry and Dental Associations
Industry has a complex role in maintaining oral health worldwide. There is substantial investment in developing materials that are sustainable and distributing them based on demand and overall oral health benefits, but increasing shareholder value within a socially responsible construct is also emphasized. A harmonious relationship is needed between research programs through private industry, non-industry research organizations, safety regulating bodies, and health organizations. Often it is
Funding
The process by which dental materials come into use includes technical feasibility study, governmental regulatory approvals, professional awareness of the materials and incorporation into practice, and patient acceptance. If materials fall short in any area, further research must be done. Dental professionals must become aware of the environmental life cycle of materials from their source to manufacturing and processing, clinical use, and waste generation both in the clinical setting and in
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Ferracane J, Fisher J, Eiselé JL, et al: Ensuring the global availability of high-quality dental restorative materials. Adv Dent Res 25:41-45, 2013
Reprints available from J Ferracane, Restorative Dentistry and Biomaterials and Biomechanics, Oregon Health & Science Univ, 611 W Campus Dr, Portland, OR 97239; e-mail: [email protected]