NC Oral Health Collaborative

10/16/2026

The Oral Health Collaborative invites you to join Durham Technical Community College's Community Health Lab for the Clearer Vision, Brighter Futures Event on Friday, October 23rd, from 3:30 to 5 PM.

The event will feature a presentation reviewing current research and a panel discussion examining how limited access to eye exams and eyeglasses affect North Carolina's children.

We are proud to support the Community Health Lab in their mission to expand vision care in North Carolina. FHLI and the NC Oral Health Collaborative encourages partnership-driven conversations in all areas of health; we welcome the opportunity to learn and join the conversation about addressing the blind spots in pediatric vision care in our communities.

Please RSVP using the form below. More information, including parking details, will be sent to registered attendees prior to the event.

https://buff.ly/C5kbwdj

10/14/2026

Access to preventative oral health care is a key initiative of the Oral Health Collaborative and our partners. NCOHC has partnered with NC Child, Access Dental Care, and the North Carolina Dental Society to create the NC Child Oral Health Parent Survey.

Access to dental care providers that accept Medicaid is a significant barrier to preventative oral health care. The goal of the Oral Health Parent survey is to understand oral health outcomes and access to dental care for North Carolina children with Medicaid. The survey discusses common barriers associated with oral health care access and will provide critical context for previous qualitative research data collected by NC Child.

We are proud to partner with NC Child to create and distribute this survey. Click here to access the survey and learn more: https://buff.ly/F1LdvQv

10/12/2026

October is National Dental Hygiene Month!

The American Dental Hygienist Association’s campaign “The Power of Us” recognizes the importance of collaboration and the four strengths that move the profession of dental hygiene forward: prevention, career, voice, and patients.

The Oral Health Collaborative supports the advancement of the dental hygiene profession. We work collaboratively to expand the dental hygiene workforce and support the oral health needs of North Carolina communities. We appreciate the dental hygienists who serve our communities and work alongside us to address oral health needs in our state.

You can learn more about National Dental Hygiene Month on the ADHA website: https://buff.ly/Ev49IYU

10/02/2026

The Foundation for Health Leadership and Innovation’s Oral Health team is starting October off strong at the North Carolina Public Health Association conference!

On October 1, Crystal Adams and Abigail Martin from the NCOHC team presented at the NCPHA conference in Concord, NC. Their presentation, “Advancing Oral Health Care Access in North Carolina”, reflected the work being done to bridge the healthcare divide in our state.

The NCPHA conference was an amazing opportunity to connect with our partners and engage in collaborative conversations regarding oral health care in North Carolina. Collaboration with our diverse partners allows NCOHC to have a holistic approach to advancing oral health for all North Carolina communities.

We appreciate NCPHA for giving us the opportunity to present and share about advancing access to oral health care. We also appreciate the partners who were able to join us at the NCPHA conference.

09/15/2026

In continuance of our Workforce Blog Series, we sat down with Genise Kelley, Director of Dental Care Operations for the Community Care Health Center, to discuss the critical role of Expanded Functions Dental Assistants (EFDAs). EFDAs receive advanced education and training that allows them to perform more a broader range of clinical duties than dental assistants, which allows them to work with a greater level of independence as part of the dental team.

Read full blog here: https://buff.ly/8vRLY1B

09/14/2026

Mark your calendar! The Foundation for Health Leadership and Innovation's 2026 Bernstein Fellows Annual Event is coming up on October 14 from 6-8pm at the UNC Friday Center.

This annual event is always a special opportunity to celebrate the health leaders who are making a difference in communities across North Carolina and bring together the people working to build a healthier future for our state.

I’m proud to be a part of the Foundation for Health Leadership and Innovation and can’t wait to gather with this incredible community!

To buy tickets or sponsor the event, visit:

https://buff.ly/jnI8BFi

07/31/2026

Blog Post: North Carolina Community College System - Investing in the Future of Dental Workforce

This month, we met with Melissa Smith, Senior State Director of Health Science Programs at the NC Community College System Office, to discuss how the North Carolina Community College System has committed to investing in programs that will address workforce shortages in underserved communities.

Read the full post here: https://buff.ly/Br4sdaq

07/22/2026

On July 7th, our very own Crystal Adams, Program Director, North Carolina Oral Health Collaborative, participated in an advocacy panel discussion at High Point University's Workman School of Dental Medicine. Panel experts provided real-life experiences and best practices in advocating for optimal health outcomes in North Carolina. The panel also included Betsy White, Chief Operating Officer at Access Dental Care and Dr. Tameko Sowell, Chief Dental Officer at Kintegra Health. The panel was moderated by Jamie Burgess-Flowers, Assistant Professor and Director of Integrated and Applied Behavioral Sciences at the Workman School of Dental Medicine.

Following the panel, students were dismissed into breakout sessions for more intimate discussions with panelists, who provided guidance and feedback on their advocacy projects. Kudos Crystal!

07/20/2026

🏔️ Heading to the mountains this August?

The Division of Public Health Oral Health Section is hosting its 2026 Conference on August 5 & 6 at MAHEC in Asheville, and it's a must-attend for anyone in the dental and public health space.

It’s a packed two days featuring critical discussions on:

-Inclusive care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).

-Minimally invasive care using Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF).

-Specialized updates on prenatal exposures, community water fluoridation, and orofacial myofunctional therapy.

If you're looking to connect with peers across the state and enjoy a brief escape to the mountains, definitely check this one out!

👉 Learn more and register here: https://buff.ly/PRIFaDS

05/13/2026

Don’t miss your chance for the RHIP-TIDES Pediatric Mini-Residency! Registration closes Friday, May 15.

This program, through the Medical University of South Carolina James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine, is designed to strengthen care for children ages 0–5 in rural and underserved communities through:
• Hands-on pediatric simulation labs
• Training in clinical techniques and practice operations
• Strategies to expand access to care
• Opportunities for dental teams to learn together

Participants will gain practical experience in procedures including stainless steel crowns, pulp therapy, trauma management, and space maintenance.

📍 June 11–13 | Charleston, SC
📍 CE credits available
📍 Registration fees: $1,500 for dentists and $500 for dental hygienists and assistants

Learn more and register: https://buff.ly/PGv3x59

Explore the continuing education program of rural health dentistry at the MUSC College of Dental Medicine.