The Office
of Clinical Research (OCR) was created to coordinate physical and
human resources to facilitate investigation by combining laboratory
and clinical research into an effective investigational unit.
Laboratory-Based Research
OCR
has its own laboratory staff and facilities for a variety of
pre-clinical services. Many of our clinical trials
require clinical samples to be prepared before or after they are used in the
clinic including:
Implants: In-house expertise
in advanced ceramic and implant restorations;
Cariology:
The ability to make artificial dental cavities for use in a
clinical crown model;
In addition, the Office of Clinical
Research utilizes joint-facilities within the Dows Institute for Dental
Research including:
Biochemistry;
Histology;
Ultrastructure core laboratories;
Image analysis core equipment;
Tissue culture core lab; and
Oral soft tissue
In addition, there are sterilization and glass-washing
rooms, two water purification systems and a storeroom for glassware,
supplies and chemicals.
A large walk-in cold room with bench space is used to
store materials and reagents. Sample storage facilities include liquid
nitrogen storage containers, several -90 degree freezers and other
freezers.
The Office of Clinical Research is able to connect to the
National Library of Medicine databases provided by the Hardin Library for
the Health Sciences along with other electronic resources.
Clinical-Based Research
The Dental Clinical
Research Center (DCRC) is the outpatient clinic of the Office of Clinical
Research and is conveniently located on the main floor of the Dental College.
We interface with The University of Iowa's NIH sponsored General Clinical
Research Center, which is a part of The University of Iowa College of Medicine.
DCRC has seven completely outfitted operatories, a private reception area,
appointment desk, and secured storage for dispensing materials committed to
clinical studies. In addition, we have full access to the College of
Dentistry's computerized patient record system.
DCRC is fortunate to have a staff dentist, two full-time
dental assistants,
and a clinical coordinator who provides clinical trial management services for
each phase in a protocol. DCRC provides a private area for
participants to have a comprehensive review of informed consent materials for
each clinical trial.
If requested, two demonstration operatories are available
within the College of Dentistry for video taping, surgical demonstration and
digital recording of patient care.
Community-Based Research
Office of Clinical Research (OCR) strives to reach beyond the College of
Dentistry to integrate the clinic's expertise into special population
communities. For instance, past outreach studies have involved
interventions to prevent dental decay for children enrolled in the Head
Start programs.
We use the Geriatric Mobile Unit
(GMU) to provide care for
outreach clinical trials located throughout eastern Iowa. This gives
us the capability to provide comprehensive care to patients that are
unable to visit the Dental Clinical Research Center. We also study
quality of life issues of medically compromised adults and issues
involving geriatric patient care.
DCRC has seven completely outfitted operatories, a private reception area,
appointment desk, and secured storage for dispensing materials committed to
clinical studies. In addition, we have full access to the College of
Dentistry's computerized patient record system. 
Office of Clinical Research (OCR) strives to reach beyond the College of
Dentistry to integrate the clinic's expertise into special population
communities. For instance, past outreach studies have involved
interventions to prevent dental decay for children enrolled in the Head
Start programs.
We use the Geriatric Mobile Unit
(GMU) to provide care for
outreach clinical trials located throughout eastern Iowa. This gives
us the capability to provide comprehensive care to patients that are
unable to visit the Dental Clinical Research Center. We also study
quality of life issues of medically compromised adults and issues
involving geriatric patient care.