Idaho Oral Health Alliance

10/18/2026

State of Oral Health In America – 2026 Key Findings

CareQuest’s State of Oral Health in America is the largest, nationally representative survey of more than 11,000 US adults about their experiences with the oral health care system. Learn more about the latest findings.

Explore key findings from CareQuest Institute's annual survey: insurance gaps, delayed care, and the urgent need for affordable, timely dental services.

10/14/2026

The Idaho Oral Health Alliance (IOHA) is offering free in-person oral health training for childcare providers this fall. The two-hour training, based on the Cavity Free Kids curriculum, will be held in six locations between Sept. 29 and Nov. 18. Licensed Idaho dental hygienists will present the material and will share hands-on oral health activities for children ages 0-6. Attendees will be entered into drawings for classroom toothbrush holders and will receive a classroom training guidebook, other oral health resources, and a certificate of participation. Register at least one week in advance for your preferred location. All workshops will be held from 5:45 to 8:00 p.m. (local time) and all will include food. Training locations will be shared prior to each workshop.

https://www.idahooralhealth.org/regional-childcare-training/

Dates/Locations:
October 28: Coeur d'Alene
October 29: Lewiston
November 4: Caldwell
November 18: Boise

Registration is required in order to have enough training materials and food available at each location. No on-site childcare. Questions? Contact the IOHA, [email protected]

Regional Trainings for Childcare Providers The Idaho Oral Health Alliance, in partnership with MCNA, Delta Dental of Idaho, the Idaho Oral Health Program, the Idaho Dental Foundation, and IdahoSTARS, is offering free training for child care providers including Head Start teachers, Parents-As-Teacher...

10/10/2026

Connections Between Oral Health and Kidney Disease

About 37 million adults in the US experience chronic kidney disease, and poor oral health can make it worse. CareQuest created a new visual report that summarizes research findings and offers strategies to integrate oral health into kidney care.

Gum disease can worsen chronic kidney disease, which afflicts more than 37 million adults in the US. Learn more about the connection in our new report.

10/05/2026

The Relationship Between GLP-1s and Oral Health

GLP-1 medications are transforming how millions manage weight and diabetes — but what do they mean for oral health? The latest CareQuest visual report explores the benefits, risks, and clinical implications of GLP-1s on oral health.

Are GLP-1 medications good or bad for your teeth? This visual report outlines possible dental benefits and mouth-related risks.

10/03/2026

Boise-Area High School Dental Assisting Program Seeks Local Practices for Student Shadowing

The 2026–2027 school year is back in session, and 35 excited high school students have officially started the Boise-area DTEC High School Dental Assisting Program. To help bridge classroom learning with real-world practice, students are required to complete 12 job-shadowing observations this school year.

The program is building a list of welcoming local practices willing to bring students into the clinic for one-hour observations. If your office would like to support these aspiring dental professionals, please contact [email protected]

10/01/2026

Registration Open for Idaho Dental Hygienists’ Association Annual Session

Join the IDHA in Coeur d’Alene Nov. 6-7 for the 2026 Annual Session.

Bridging the Gaps to Whole Body Care- The Collaborative Benefits of Oral and Medical Care unites oral, medical, and behavioral health professionals to explore integrated, collaborative healthcare. Dentists, hygienists, physicians, behavioral health specialists, and medical educators will share insights on integration healthcare.
Early bird registration ends October 1.

Join us for a powerful two-day session featuring speakers who believe that total body care can begin in the dental chair.

09/29/2026

Delta Dental of Idaho: Oral Health Grant Application Opens October 1

Delta Dental of Idaho is seeking submissions from throughout Idaho for the Fall 2026 cycle of their Oral Health Grant Program.

Grants may be awarded in amounts between $5,000 to $25,000 for capacity building, capital and equipment, and special projects focused on improving dental infrastructure and workforce capacity in Idaho; improving access to affordable, timely, and high-quality dental health care; and reducing oral disease through education, prevention, and treatment.

Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) public charities or government entities and their instrumentalities who serve individuals in the state of Idaho.

The online application opens October 1, 2026, and closes October 20, 2026. Decisions will be made in early December.

To preview the application and view detailed funding guidelines, create or login into an existing account here on the Delta Dental grant management system.

Our passion and purpose at Delta Dental of Idaho is to improve the oral health of Idahoans. We fulfill this mission in part through our grant programs.

09/27/2026

IOHA Regional In-Person Childcare Provider Education Scheduled This Fall

The IOHA will travel the state this fall offering free in-person oral health education for childcare providers, Head Start teachers, and Parents-as-Teachers and Nurse Family Partners program participants. Six regional trainings will provide guidance on introducing oral health concepts and tips for classroom and parent engagement.

Trainings are a part of the IOHA Healthy Me is Cavity-Free initiative that addresses the issue of early childhood caries. Partners include the Idaho Oral Health Program, IdahoSTARS, MCNA, Delta Dental of Idaho, and Head Start.

Classes held in Twin Falls (Sept. 29); Pocatello (Sept. 30); Coeur d’Alene (Oct. 28); Lewiston (Oct. 29); Caldwell (Nov. 4); Boise (Nov. 18). Register in advance.

Please share this opportunity with your community.

Events 2026 Regional Trainings for Childcare Providers Healthy Mouths – Healthy Kids – Training for Childcare Providers The Idaho Oral Health Alliance, in partnership with MCNA, Delta Dental of Idaho, the Idaho Oral Health Program, the Idaho Dental Foundation, and IdahoSTARS, is offering free tr...

09/25/2026

IOHA Champion for Oral Health Award Nominations Due October 1

Created in 2023, this IOHA award recognizes oral health champions (individuals or organizations/companies) who support the mission and vision of the Idaho Oral Health Alliance. Nominations must be received by October 1.

Nominees should demonstrate a commitment to improving the oral health of others through monetary means, by volunteering personal time, or by leading activity that is in line with the vision and mission of the IOHA.

Criteria and the required nomination form can be found on our website.

IOHA Champion for Oral Health Award Created in 2023, this award recognizes oral health champions (individuals or organizations/companies) who support the mission and vision of the IOHA. At the board’s discretion, it may be given each year, every other year, or as appropriate candidates are named. ...

09/24/2026

The Idaho Association of Free & Charitable Clinics (IAFCC) is looking for an executive director.
This remote part-time position is responsible for providing oversight for all organizational operations and executing the IAFCC's mission, goals, and policies as established by the Board of Directors.
Reach out to [email protected] for more information.