The Dentist Scientist Award (DSA) program was startled by the National
Institute of Dental Research (NIDR) in 1984 to prepare dentists for c
areers as clinical research scientists who would be highly skilled inv
estigators and potential leaders in the full scope of oral health rese
arch. The DSA program provides support for dentists to undertake 5 yea
rs of intensive preparation in a course of study that includes basic a
nd clinical science components integrated with a supervised research e
xperience. From 1984 to 1994, the NIDR has invested $66.1 million doll
ars in the individual and institutional Dentist Scientist Awards progr
ams. Almost 250 people have been or are involved now in the DSA career
development activity. Men comprise 72% of the recipients and women 28
%.