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By Jennifer Garvin

Gaithersburg, Md.—From discovering new ways to fight caries to developing new dental products and bonding materials, the ADA Foundation Paffenbarger Research Center is where dental and medical research scientists come together to improve the quality of dentistry.

	80 years strong: An aerial photo of the National Institute of Standards and Technology campus and tower, where the ADA Foundation Paffenbarger Research Center is located. NIST is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

In fact, dentistry as we know it today wouldn't be the same without this branch of the ADAF that began 80 years ago as the dental materials unit.

The PRC quietly celebrated its 80th anniversary in April. Known for its major roles in the development of modern high-speed dental drills, panoramic X-ray machines, face-surfaced dental mirrors, protective tooth sealants, orthodontic bracket bonding materials, tooth-colored composite filling materials, calcium phosphate bone cements and more, it remains one of the world's premier dental research centers.

"We are proud to acknowledge 80 years of leadership in applied research that has significantly advanced dental materials science, accelerated transfer of this knowledge to industry and vastly improved the quality of care to patients," said Dr. Arthur Dugoni, ADAF president. "The PRC has truly been a catalyst for change that has taken restorative care and prevention into the 21st century."

The PRC is located at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg. Until 1985, it was called the Research Unit before being renamed in honor of former director Dr. George C. Paffenbarger, who led the unit from 1929 to 1974 and was the first recipient of the ADA's scientific fellowship.

All PRC staff work side by side with government scientists, a partnership that serves the profession well.

"It provides a very pleasant place for us to pursue our goals and objectives," said Dr. Ray Bowen of the relationship. "People here are very willing to collaborate and assist in technical aspects of our pursuits. The high level of their expertise inspires us to solve problems that arise during our efforts to innovate and prepare dental materials that can enable clinicians to provide improved services for their patients."

Said Dr. Gary Schumacher, acting director, PRC, "I have found it both inspiring and rewarding to work with so many talented scientists who are incredibly passionate about their research and improving the oral health of Americans. Working at PRC is challenging and the excitement makes me look forward to going to work every day."

At its April meeting, the Council on Scientific Affairs introduced a resolution that recognized the PRC for its "long and distinguished record of service to the dental profession and the public it serves," and said it looked forward to PRC's "continued contributions to dental research as the Center and the ADA Foundation consider plans for the next 80 years and beyond."

CSA Chair Michael Rethman said the PRC, along with dental schools, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, military dental researchers and industry "performs the science on which enlightened clinical and public health decisions are based.

"I hope for another 80 years of even greater successes," he said.

ADA President Mark Feldman agreed.

"We are first and foremost a science-based profession and we have greatly benefited from having our own dedicated research facility at Paffenbarger," he said.

Perhaps the PRC is best known for its part in the invention of the turbine contra-angle handpiece (by Dr. Robert J. Nelsen) and Dr. Bowen's invention of the original composite restorative materials.

Dr. Bowen's invention led to the evolution of many of the contemporary adhesive bonding agents and formulated the glass-ceramic inserts for composites.

"It is a strong motivation for us in the PRC to know that if we can make even incremental improvements in materials that dentists will have available in their practices, such improvements can eventually be of benefit for millions of people," said Dr. Bowen, who still puts in 8-hour days after 52 years at the ADA.

The PRC is supported by an annual grant from the ADA to the ADAF, by in-kind contributions and project support from NIST, and by research grants from the National Institutes of Health, primarily the NIDCR. Corporate contracts and grants also provide some research support.

Currently the PRC has a total of eight research grants from the NIDCR, one Shared Instrument Grant and one grant from the ADA Foundation.

For more information, contact the PRC by email at PRC@ada.org or call 1-301-975-6806.