The purpose of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), as part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health, is to the promote the general health of the American people by improving their oral, dental and craniofacial health. Through nurturing fundamental research and the development of researchers, the NIDCR aims to promote health, to prevent diseases and conditions, and to develop new diagnostics and therapeutics.