Research at the School of Dental Medicine is a chief priority. The Office of Research is overseen by Dr. Charles Sfeir, Associate Dean for Research.
Mission & Vision
The Pitt Dental Medicine research mission is to expand the boundaries of knowledge and build on discoveries to enhance the quality of human life. Our mission aligns with the University of Pittsburgh’s position as a research-intensive university. In addition, our research is an essential part of the School’s teaching mission for health science students. Furthermore, the contribution of research can be directly applied to patient care by advancing the knowledge base of the dental field as a whole. This, too, is a key component of education for Pitt Dental Medicine students and serves to integrate research into the future of clinical dentistry and ultimately benefit patients.
Research Funding
Pitt Dental Medicine research has ranked in the top ten for funding from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) for the past five years. This emphasis in research support is due to the recognition of research as a prominent part of our faculty’s professional activity and our expansion of support for research efforts. Research at Pitt Dental Medicine also is funded by the National Science Foundation, and the United States Department of Defense, and private foundations.
Research & Education
In addition to the integration of research endeavors into Pitt Dental Medicine’s predoctoral (DMD) program, there are three research-focused academic programs at the School—the PhD in Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, master’s degree in Oral & Craniofacial Sciences, and master’s degree in Dental Public Health, all of which provide vibrant hands-on opportunities.
Research Administration
The Pitt Dental Medicine Office of Research supports our vibrant research program and includes grant administrators that manage pre-award and post-award functions. This support includes administrative and fiscal services for basic and clinical research, core facilities, faculty, students, and postdoctoral fellows.