The American Institute of Dental Public Health (AIDPH) is a 501c3 nonprofit centering health equity as a cornerstone of oral health education and training. We offer educational training for oral health professionals, support student growth and career development in dental public health, and serve as conveners of stature to facilitate systems change in the oral health community.
Veteran Oral Health
Expanding access and equity for veterans is a focus of our research and advocacy efforts.
Rural Oral Health ECHO
This all-teach, all-learn telementoring model builds provider capacity using a rural and health equity lens.
Leadership Academy
We are encouraging and equipping a new generation of clinicians.
Our Impact
Learn how AIDPH is creating change in the oral health community.
At-a-glance
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Inadequate Dental Care for Veterans is Painful and Costly
As the largest integrated health system in the United States, the VHA is best positioned to give veterans the comprehensive dental care they need while benefiting the most from medical savings associated with prevention. In this research brief, learn how expanding dental care through the VHA will save money and pain.
2022 Impact Report: A look at how AIDPH made a difference in advancing dental public health through science and education
“When I reflect on what we’ve accomplished in 2022, one word resonates above all: gratitude,” said Executive Director Dr. Annaliese Cothron. “Gratitude to our leadership, funders, collaborators, and team. We’ve experienced the biggest growth we’ve ever had this past year, extending our impact beyond what we thought possible.”
In 2022, AIDPH elevated oral health equity in three areas of focus: LGBTQIA+ people, rural health, and veterans. The organization announced a planned focus expansion for people with disabilities.
Illustrating the role of dental journals in the translational science process
There is a 17-year research- practice gap between the time a research question is asked and a clinical practice stemming from that research question is finally adopted. This gap translating research into practice is not only observed in healthcare, but in other research domains such as education, communication, and agriculture. Few studies have focused on the implementation gap within oral health domain. This report depicts barriers within the dental peer-reviewed publication process that slow the translation of research to clinical implementation.
Improving the oral health of rural veterans
Accessing routine dental care is challenging for many veterans — only 15% are eligible for dental care through the Veterans Health Administration (VHA). It’s even harder for veterans living in rural communities, according to a report from the American Institute of Dental Public Health (AIDPH) and CareQuest Institute.
The Dental workforce as a whole is Reduced from pre-pandemic levels
In our latest report, AIDPH evaluates the impact on workforce numbers and wages using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (US-BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. How did your state fare? Find out by reading the full report and exploring our Workforce Dashboard.
AIDPH Research Team article featured in summer JACD edition
The summer eJACD spotlights vulnerable populations and an article from AIDPH's research team on impacts of chronic disease and rurality on veteran oral health. Vets with access to dental care are more employable, financially stable, and self-sufficient. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA*) began in the early 1900s, near the end of World War One, offering benefits to veterans who were injured as a result of their military service. Today, the VHA
is the largest integrated healthcare system within the United States, with more than 1200 facilities providing services to approximately nine million veterans.
Joint Release Issued Applauding Senator Sander's Push to Improve Access to Oral Health Care for Veterans
American Institute of Dental Public Health and CareQuest Institute for Oral Health® today commended U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) for filing amendments to help expand access to dental care for veterans. The amendments are being considered as part of the Honoring Our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act of 2022.