For decades, Community Catalyst has worked with community partners to bring quality and affordable oral health care to more people by addressing inequitable access and other barriers to care. Through our Dental Access Project, we are advancing state and federal policies to expand access to comprehensive and affordable dental coverage across public and private insurance programs. Our efforts also include advocating for the training and deployment of community-based and representative oral health provider models, like dental therapists, to bring oral health care to communities that historically lack access.

For years, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) has been bringing together stakeholders including Tribal leaders, Tribal health directors, Area Indian Health Boards, Tribal Epidemiology Centers, and public health leaders to explore solutions and develop recommendations to address oral health disparities and lack of access to oral health treatment and prevention services in Indian Country.

The NIHB’s Tribal Oral Health Initiative is a growing body of work that includes a toolkit, research, Tribal leader and Tribal healthcare administrator trainings, and, eventually, the Tribal Oral Health Agenda. Check back as we continue to grow this online compendium of resources on innovative programs and policies for Tribal governments to utilize in increasing access to safe and quality oral healthcare in Indian Country.