AIDPH Announces Expanded Mission and Health Issue Areas
AIDPH is now the American Institute on Disparities in Public Health
Over the past eight months, our leadership team has been doing some big-picture thinking — how we grow our reach, stay grounded in community voices, and keep pushing the idea we all believe in: oral health is overall health. Like we did in 2019 when we leaned hard into oral health equity, and in 2021 when we built our community-engaged framework, we took a close look at today’s public health landscape, where the gaps are, and where AIDPH can be most useful.
Spotlighting LGBTQIA+ Voices in the Dental Workforce: The University of North Carolina Pride Clinic Story
At the University of North Carolina (UNC) Adams School of Dentistry, the Pride Clinic stands as a model of what it means to combine compassionate care with health equity. Founded in 2020 through student advocacy and supported by faculty leadership, the clinic is one of the few student-led dental clinics in the US that provide free, affirming care for LGBTQIA+ patients. It reflects the school’s mission of commitment to exceptional dental care, where both patient care and professional learning are grounded in respect, affirmation, and belonging.
AIDPH Proudly Supports New Bill Supporting Healthcare Workforce Expansion
Last month, AIDPH joined more than a dozen other nonprofit organizations in supporting the Health Care Workforce Expansion Act, legislation which would make medical, dental and nursing schools tuition-free and expand the health care workforce.
Congratulations to AIDPH Board Member D.J. Close
We are incredibly proud to congratulate AIDPH’s Board Member D.J. Close on his recent recognition as “Changemaker of the Year” by Colorado Youth for Change. D.J. is the Executive Director for the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation (DDCOF).
Colorado Youth for Change addresses barriers to learning by providing individualized supports throughout pivotal stages of students’ education journeys, and envisions an equitable education system where each student has access to the resources they need to maximize their own learning and growth. CYC is a recognized leader in prevention and student reengagement programming, providing children and youth with one-on-one tutoring, evidence-based interventions, case management, and wraparound support services.
A Shared Commitment to Oral Health Equity
We are incredibly proud to share this critical report from our partners at the California Dental Association, which shares our dedication to oral health equity. The newly published Oral Health Equity Report provides a framework for investing in oral health equity and reaffirms a commitment to removing systemic barriers that contribute to poor health outcomes.
In Support of Community Water Fluoridation
AIDPH joins with CareQuest Institute for Oral Health in support of Community Water Fluoridation. As detailed in the Journal of Public Health Dentistry, community water fluoridation is a population health program that is in a unique position to prevent dental caries across all socioeconomic groups equitably.
Visit the link below to access CareQuest Institute for Oral Health’s toolkits, communication resources, scientific research, public health evidence, and advocacy resources on the importance of community water fluoridation.
Thank You and Welcome Aboard!
AIDPH has been fortunate to have a truly remarkable and dedicated slate of volunteer Board of Directors throughout our ten years. This summer, we send sincere appreciation and thanks to Darien Weatherspoon, Steven Geiermann
Alan Morgan, Jenni Polivka, and David Cappelli, who are completing their terms on our Board. AIDPH welcomes Brenda Heaton (Vice Chair), Kentucky Morrow, Sabrina Porcher-Fennell, Abbas Jessani, Lyubov Slashcheva, and McAllister Castelaz to the team! The Board of Directors comprises established leaders from clinical, policy, industry, and academic backgrounds, dedicated to advancing our mission, vision, and values.
NEW from AIDPH: Evaluating Queer Inclusion in Dental Education
The lack of LGBTQIA+ inclusion in dental education not only affects clinical competence but also the educational climate for LGBTQIA+ students, faculty, and staff. To address the gaps in evaluating queer inclusion and belonging in dental education, AIDPH conducted a three-part study culminating in a set of strategic recommendations for dental education institutions. Read the full report here.
AIDPH Welcomes Partners for Technical Assistance & Capacity Building
AIDPH is excited to roll our expertise, programming, and skillset into a new framework: Technical Assistance and Capacity Building. Offering both fixed-price and customized options for a variety of stakeholders, AIDPH assists individuals, organizations, and systems in building the capacity of their constituents to achieve improved impact and outcomes. By collaborating with AIDPH, you benefit from our nearly 50 years of collective expertise and join a community committed to addressing health disparities. We invite grantmakers, foundations, funders, organizations, industry leaders, and researchers to partner with us in advancing our shared mission. Learn more about our Technical Assistance program here and email us at info@aidph.org to set up a time to discuss.