Research is an essential part of the mission of the College of Dentistry and as such is also a part of the teaching mission for health science students. The contribution of research to advances in the knowledge base can be directly applied to patient care, and a key component of the education of NYU Dentistry students lies in understanding how research contributes to this knowledge. Further, research as a career option is best demonstrated through the recognition of research as a prominent part of the activity of the faculty.