As a filmmaker, Paul Gibbs tells other people’s stories for a living. 

He didn’t know his own story — about trying to access oral health care — would have such a profound impact. 

“My dental care experience turned out to be much more expensive, invasive, and painful than it needed to be,” Gibbs says. “And it was because while my doctors had recognized that oral health is part of the overall larger picture, my insurance didn’t.” 

A particular moment stands out to Sarah Bedard Holland, the CEO of Virginia Health Catalyst, as when she realized she wanted to work in health care: 

“When I was in high school, someone who was very close to me was diagnosed with AIDS, and I had the opportunity to see firsthand how my community reacted to that,” Bedard Holland says. “I saw how the health care system responded to him, his diagnosis, and ultimate death. . . . I think it was that general injustice and inequity that really cemented for me that there was an opportunity to change things.” 

On a warm Saturday in November, dozens of vendors lined Dunkin’ Park in Hartford, Connecticut, for the Get Out the Vote Health Fair, where visitors could find information on health care resources and connect with community partners. One of those booths belonged to the Connecticut Oral Health Initiative (COHI) — an organization that advocates for oral health access, quality, and equity in the state.

Jennifer Harris, the senior health policy advocate at Alabama Arise, says no day is the same at her job.

“You may have someone that’s working over here to reduce tooth decay in school-age children, and then you may have someone in another part of the state that is looking at the accessibility for someone who’s disabled to be seen by a provider,” Harris says. “What I’m doing is creating a network where we can bring all our work together to really make strides in access when it comes to oral health.”

OPEN Hill Day brought more than 90 members from across the US to Capitol Hill to meet with legislators about prioritizing oral health in their communities. For this Hill Day on May 14, the fourth one since 2019, there was more at stake: Potential Medicaid cuts are on the horizon, some policymakers are pushing to remove fluoride from public water supplies, and recent staff cuts to the Department of Health and Human Services are reshaping the oral health landscape. 

Caroline Le, Public Policy Analyst, CareQuest Institute 

An issue historically left to local governments is now drawing attention from some state and federal leaders — and the outcome could affect our health for generations. 

Webinar details coming soon.

As federal funding for health care faces growing uncertainty, dental leaders are raising a critical question: How will shifting policies impact access and care delivery? 

Becker’s Dental & DSO Review breaks down the latest developments with our Senior Director of Public Policy, Melissa Burroughs, and what they mean for dental practices nationwide.