Dental research at the National Bureau of Standards: how it changed the practice of dental health service.

A history of dental research at the National Bureau of Standards since its inception in 1919 is presented. The initial thrust on dental amalgam by the US Army Dental Corps, the assignment of Dr. William Souder to the project, and subsequent developments are traced. Difficulties in obtaining support for the early stages of the program following World War I are described. The involvement of the American Dental Association in 1928, issuance of the first ADA specification on dental amalgam, and the ultimate ramifications on dental (and medical) standards programs throughout the world are described. Benefits to patients, dentists, and taxpayers from support of the dental research program have been calculated as exceeding the combined budgets of the currently supporting institutions--NBS, ADA, and National Institute of Dental Research.