The emergence of the social and behavioral sciences in dentistry: Lois Cohen as principal architect

Abstract

The role that Lois played at the NIDR and the IADR as an advocate for biopsychosocial research in dentistry cannot be underestimated and remains one of her most cherished and lasting legacies. First, she has steadfastly maintained her vision for dentistry as a major health discipline that continues to mature toward acceptance of responsibility for every aspect of the impact that oral disease could have on the health and welfare of its patients. Next, she has been an exemplary role model as a rigorous social scientist, simultaneously advocating that such research be interdisciplinary and collaborative while reflecting only the highest standards of excellence for research from the social, biologic, and clinical sciences. Through her administrative leadership skills, she has encouraged such a research mission to be incorporated into the long-range planning of the NIDCR, IADR, FDI, and ADA. Such is the esteem in which she is held that respected social scientists have been attracted to dentistry, persuaded by her vision and drawn by her science. For several decades, thanks to Lois as the primary role model, these scientists have been able to develop their own careers and research interests while bringing cadres of new scientists similarly committed to the broadest and deepest understanding of dental and orofacial growth and development and the prevention and management of dental and orofacial conditions as those processes emerge in peoples around the world.