Ann Arbor, MI — October 27, 2009 — The University of Michigan School of Dentistry’s Center for Oral Health Research (MCOHR) has entered into an agreement to become a program of the Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research (MICHR).

“I’m very pleased with this new partnership because it will enable us, working together, to become more involved in clinical research and grow in ways we probably wouldn’t have been able to on our own,” said Dr. William Giannobile, MCOHR director.

As part of the agreement, MCOHR will continue managing and holding full authority over its operations, staffing, and development processes. In addition, MCOHR will be able to leverage MICHR’s financial management, administrative resources, and clinical research support. MCOHR trainees, scholars, and students will have access to the MICHR curriculum and other resources for educational enrichment.

“The University of Michigan has a goal of doubling the number of clinical trials that are being conducted across campus over the next five years,” Giannobile said. “With this partnership, both MCOHR and MICHR will be able to help the University work toward achieving that goal.”

The Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research provides a comprehensive institutional source of support and infrastructure for those in clinical and translational research. The Institute’s mission is to increase the quality, quantity, and positive impact of clinical and translational research at U-M and to the communities it serves.

“I am very pleased to have MCOHR on board as part of MICHR, said Dr. Ken Pienta, MICHR director. “This partnership is consistent with MICHR’s goal to better connect clinical research entities University-wide, so this is an excellent opportunity for us to be closely aligned with the School of Dentistry.”

Established in 2005, MCOHR takes the knowledge discovered in its research laboratories and applies it to improve oral, dental, and craniofacial health. It builds on the School’s major strengths that include a long history of clinical trial research and national prominence in basic science research. Since its creation, more MCOHR has recorded more than 6,000 patient visits at its facilities at Domino’s Farms. MCOHR has four fully operational dental operatories and has completed numerous clinical trial investigations in areas of oral systemic health.

MICHR seeks to enable and enhance the positive impact of clinical and translational research at the University of Michigan and to make U-M a leader in translating scientific discoveries into real health gains.

Contact: Sharon Grayden, Communications Director (734) 615-2600, dentistry.communications@umich.edu, or Jerry Mastey, Editor, School of Dentistry (734) 615-1971, jmastey@umich.edu.