Shils Fund

03/30/2026

At the Shils Fund, our mission is clear: connect innovators with industry to advance oral health.

At IADR 2026, that mission came to life—showcasing how collaboration and entrepreneurship are accelerating meaningful change across the profession.

Shils Fund Highlights Industry-Driven Innovation at IADR 2026 Representatives of the Shils Fund played a key role at the recent International Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (IADR) General Session, reinforcing the importance of industry-led innovation and public-private part...

02/24/2026

The Shils Fund Great Oral Health Pitch returned to the 2026 Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Dental Meeting — and what an incredible showcase of next-generation innovation in oral healthcare!

We are proud to announce that Suzanne Cano's company, LunaLite were named the 2026 Chicago Regional Winner 🏆

LunaLite’s advanced imaging solution impressed our distinguished panel of judges for its ability to help dental teams capture consistent, accurate radiographs with greater efficiency and less guesswork — addressing real-world clinical challenges with a practical, scalable solution.

At the Shils Fund, our mission is to recognize, cultivate, and connect oral healthcare entrepreneurs who are transforming the future of dentistry. The Chicago event once again demonstrated the power of bold ideas, passionate founders, and a community committed to advancing oral health.

Suzanne now advances to the National Finals in California this May, where regional winners will compete for the Grand Sponsorship Prize package valued at over $50,000.

👏 Congratulations to all of our outstanding presenters and thank you to our esteemed judges and supporters who make this platform possible.

The future of oral health innovation is bright — and we’re just getting started.

🔗 Read more: https://shilsfund.org/lunalite-wins-top-honors-at-2026-shils-fund-great-oral-health-pitch/

01/06/2026

Do you have a bold idea that could change oral healthcare? This is your moment to take the stage!

The Great Oral Health Pitch is a national competition designed to help oral health entrepreneurs transform their innovations into scalable, business strategies that drive real-world impact.

The 2026 Great Oral Health Pitch season takes off at the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 9am — where innovators will present live in a dynamic, “Shark Tank”-style showcase, gaining expert feedback, refining their approach, and expanding their professional network.

At this event, one standout innovator will receive a $2,000 cash prize and advance to the Grand Finale alongside the winners from the California Dental Association and Greater New York Dental meetings — where all finalists will compete for the Great Oral Health Pitch Grand Prize worth more than $50,000. This incredible package includes cash, product and service sponsorships, business launch marketing, networking opportunities with industry leaders, and more!

SIGN UP NOW!!

Calling All Oral Health Entrepreneurs and Innovators: Pitch Your Ideas for a $50,000 Prize! Do you have a groundbreaking innovation that could revolutionize oral healthcare? Whether you’re just getting started or have been developing your concept for years, The Great Oral Health Pitch is the opp.....

11/04/2025

11/04/2025

What an inspiring event! Over 100 leaders from across the oral-health world came together at NYU College of Dentistry on October 28 to celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact.

Special congratulations to Stanley Bergman on his Lifetime Achievement Award, and to all the extraordinary honorees recognized for their work in research, education, global leadership, and entrepreneurship.

Highlights include:
• Vincent Cardillo – Excellence in Industry Award
• Dr. Steven Bloembergen – Excellence in Research Award
• Dr. Maria Ryan – Cohen-Volpe Award
• Dr. Chris Fox – Shils-Meskin Award
• Dr. Hind Aljarahi – Scholarship Recipient
• Grand Prize of the Great Oral Health Pitch awarded to Adrian Finzelberg (KiDDY CAPS) for his ZircoThin™ innovation.

Read Full Press Release here: https://shilsfund.org/shils-fund-celebrates-innovation-and-leadership-in-oral-health-at-nyu-college-of-dentistry/

09/25/2025

The Shils Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and empowering innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship in oral health and healthcare, is proud to announce the addition of three new board members: Dr. Ashley Lerman, Jennifer Kim Field, and Mohamed Abdullah. These accomplished professionals bring unique expertise, leadership, and passion to the Shils Fund, strengthening its mission to help cultivate the next generation of leaders across oral healthcare and beyond.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE New York, NY – [September 25, 2025] – The Shils Fund, a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and empowering innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship in oral health and healthcare, is proud to announce the addition of three new board members: Dr. Ashley Lerman...

07/17/2025

SAVE THE DATE! SHILS FUND ANNUAL AWARDS CELEBRATION ON OCTOBER 28, 2025! MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

04/03/2025

Congratulations to the 2025 Gies Award Honorees!

The ADEAGies Foundation Gies Awards celebrate individuals, institutions, and partners whose work exemplifies Innovation, Achievement, Vision, and Leadership in dental education.

We are incredibly proud of our very own Shils Board Member, Dr. Lois K. Cohen, recipient of the William J. Gies Award for Eminence in Achievement!

Selected by a distinguished panel of experts, this year’s awardees are recognized for driving meaningful change and advancing the future of oral health education.

Join us in celebrating Dr. Cohen and all of the 2025 honorees for their outstanding contributions!

02/27/2025

Exciting Lineup & Winners Announced! The Shils Fund Great Oral Health Pitch at Chicago Dental Society Midwinter was a huge success! With game-changing innovative solutions, our talented entrepreneurs took the stage to pitch their ideas and compete for the ultimate prize.

Congratulations to our top winner Adrian Fin, KiDDY CAPS and runner ups - Dr. Latifa McQuiggen, VizualEyes and Patrick Conniff, OrisDx - who are shaping the future of oral healthcare! Stay tuned as they advance to the final round, where they’ll compete for a sponsorship package valued at over $50,000!

Read the full recap and meet the winners here:

The Shils Fund Great Oral Health Pitch Event returned to the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting, bringing together entrepreneurial minds in oral healthcare. With an atmosphere filled with collaboration, forward-thinking ideas, and groundbreaking solutions, this competition provided a dynamic p...

02/23/2025

A Huge Success at the Shils Fund Great Oral Health Pitch Event!

We are thrilled to share the incredible success of the Shils Fund Great Oral Health Pitch Event, which took place at the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting! This event brought together some of the most innovative minds in oral health, all competing to drive meaningful change in the industry.

Congratulations to the outstanding participants who pitched groundbreaking ideas, and a big thank you to our esteemed panelists, sponsors, and attendees who made this event truly special. The passion and innovation on display were inspiring, and we can’t wait to see how these ideas shape the future of oral health.

Here’s to pushing the boundaries of oral health and making a lasting impact!

12/12/2024

🚨 Innovation in Action: The Great Oral Health Pitch! 🚨

The Shils Entrepreneurial Fund proudly wrapped up its second annual Great Oral Health Pitch on December 2, 2024, at the Greater New York Dental Meeting, and WOW—what an event it was! 🎉

Sixteen passionate oral health entrepreneurs took the stage to present their innovative business ideas aimed at transforming the future of oral healthcare. From revolutionary technologies to game-changing strategies, their bold visions left us inspired and excited for what’s to come.

🌟 The Prize? A grand sponsorship package worth over $50,000 to help bring these innovative concepts to life!

Thank you to all participants, judges, and supporters who made this event a huge success. Your dedication to advancing oral health innovation is truly remarkable. 💡✨

Read more about this incredible event and the talented entrepreneurs who made it unforgettable: 👉

https://shilsfund.org/the-shils-entrepreneurial-fund-concludes-second-annual-great-oral-health-pitch-at-greater-new-york-dental-meeting/

10/31/2024

Win $50,000 Sponsorship Package for your oral health idea at The Great Oral Health Pitch event!

The Great Oral Health Pitch Returns to Greater New York Dental Meeting!!

What is the “Great Oral Health Pitch”?
The Great Oral Health Pitch: Innovate, Elevate, and Generate Your Idea to Advance Oral Health! program is designed to help entrepreneurs like YOU refine your innovations into winning business strategies. Through a series nationwide “Shark Tank” style pitch events, participants will have the chance to compete for a sponsorship package valued at over $50,000. This incredible package includes cash, product and service sponsorships, business launch marketing, networking opportunities with industry leaders, and more!

Who Can Participate?
This program is open to EVERYONE in the oral health community! Whether you’re a dental student, hygienist, office staff member, young professional, or an early-stage entrepreneur, you’re invited to participate.

How Do I Participate?
Prepare a pitch deck that showcases your innovative idea.
Present your idea at our live pitch competition in front of a panel of industry experts. You'll receive personalized feedback to help sharpen your pitch.
Automatically enter for a chance to win a sponsorship package worth more $50,000 grand prize in cash, business support, and exclusive networking!

Why Attend?
Learn: Get insights and mentorship from leaders in oral healthcare.
Network: Connect with like-minded professionals and potential investors.
Win: Be in the running for a game-changing prize package that will help launch your idea into the future of oral health.

Don't miss your chance to innovate, elevate, and generate! Mark your calendars for December 2, 2024, 2:30pm at the GNYDM in New York City and take the first step toward making your dream a reality.

Sign up now—spaces are limited, and this is one event you don't want to miss!

https://shilsfund.org/the-great-oral-health-pitch/

Dental Product Shopper Henry Schein Dental Dental Venture Capital

Calling All Oral Health Entrepreneurs and Innovators:Pitch Your Idea for a $50,000 Prize! What is the “Great Oral Health Pitch”? The Great Oral Health Pitch: Innovate, Elevate, and Generate Your Idea to Advance Oral Health! program is designed to help entrepreneurs like YOU refine your innovati...