Scientific Investigations
- Non-invasive, rapid (5 minutes or less) salivary tests are being developed (or envisioned) to detect salivary antibodies to Tuberculosis, Dengue Fever, Cholera, and a host of other communicable diseases.
- Analytical tests useful for the diagnosis and treatment monitoring of certain oral diseases are being developed and validated. Current tests utilize polyclonal antibodies towards specific pathogens or reactions specific to certain disease mechanisms.
- Evidence-based assessment tools are being developed to help identify individuals at high risk for experiencing acute dental problems.
- Naval Institute for Dental and Biomedical Research continues to monitor the operational impact of various types of dental emergencies and collect longitudinal data related to the origin of certain emergency categories.
- Multivariate statistical methods are being applied to redefine dental readiness incorporating: (i) demographic variables; (ii) evidence-based risk assessment tools; (iii) dental health behaviors.
- The short- and long-term consequences of sealant application and treatment prioritization are being evaluated.
- Refinement and field testing of a software-based expert system (Advanced IDC Dental Triage Informatics System) are being conducted.
- An interim treatment material, along with a new delivery system, is being developed. This material will be used by Independent Duty Corpsmen to ameliorate a wide variety of urgent dental problems.
- Existing and emerging technologies for removal of mercury from dental unit wastewater streams are being developed and evaluated. Naval Institute for Dental and Biomedical Research is the lead agent in this important Navy-wide program.
- Naval Institute for Dental and Biomedical Research is overseeing and coordinating the design and installation of mercury abatement systems in all Navy dental clinics worldwide.
- Technologies to remove biofilms from dental unit water lines, or to prevent their formation, are being evaluated.