Several dental organizations signed a letter opposing a proposal to restructure the National Institutes of Health.
Six notes:
1. The proposal would consolidate the NIH's current 27 institutes and centers into 15.
2. Under the restructuring, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research would be placed under the jurisdiction of a newly created Institute of Neuroscience and Brain Research.
3. The coalition that wrote the letter, which was addressed to House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, said having a dedicated dental and craniofacial institute ensures that funding for these areas are not overshadowed by other health concerns.
4. While the coalition also expressed its concern in the letter over recommendations to cut facilities and administrative costs, it did welcome recommendations to increase transparency, accountability and responsiveness in the NIH.
5. The ADA previously sent a letter opposing the bill in July. It also joined 222 organizations in another letter of opposition sent last month.
6. More than 20 organizations signed the most recent letter sent in August. These include the ADA, the Academy of General Dentistry, the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health and the TMJ Association.