Each year, the National Oral Health Conference (NOHC) brings together leaders, advocates, providers, and organizations from across the country who are committed to improving oral health for all. The conference serves as a space to share ideas, highlight innovation, and learn from one another—making it a critical opportunity to strengthen and advance our collective work.
For Oral Health Kansas (OHK), participation in NOHC directly supports our mission to improve oral health access, education, and outcomes across the state. It also aligns closely with the goals of the Pathways to Oral Health initiative, which focuses on increasing access to care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), strengthening the dental workforce, and elevating the voices of those with lived experience.
Attending and presenting at NOHC allows OHK to both learn from national partners and contribute Kansas-based solutions to a broader audience. Many of the challenges faced in Kansas—such as workforce shortages, access barriers, and the need for more inclusive care—are shared across states. This makes NOHC an important platform for collaboration, innovation, and scaling effective strategies.
Elevating Pathways to Oral Health on a National Stage
This year, the OHK team is proud to elevate the Pathways to Oral Health initiative through multiple presentations and roundtable discussions. Each session reflects the collaborative work of our partners and highlights tools, resources, and strategies that have been shaped by real-world experience and community input.
Our presentations include:
- Using Storytelling to Inspire Communities and Expand Care
- Confidence in Every Smile: Tools and Training for Oral Hygiene Support
In addition, OHK will host interactive roundtable discussions:
- Empowering Consumers: Using Advocacy to Recruit Dentists
- Feeling Good About Your Smile: An Oral Health Learning Session for People with IDD
These sessions showcase key components of the Pathways initiative, including our digital storytelling efforts, consumer-driven advocacy strategies, and practical tools designed to support both individuals and providers. They also create space for dialogue—allowing participants from across the country to share insights, ask questions, and explore how these approaches can be adapted in their own communities.
Why This Work Matters
The Pathways to Oral Health initiative is rooted in the belief that improving access to care requires collaboration, innovation, and a deep understanding of lived experience. By bringing this work to NOHC, OHK is not only sharing progress but also contributing to a larger movement focused on health equity and inclusion.
Conferences like NOHC are more than just learning opportunities—they are catalysts for change. They help build connections, spark new ideas, and reinforce the importance of continued advocacy and partnership.
As OHK continues this work, we remain committed to ensuring that the voices of Kansans—especially those who have historically faced barriers to care—are represented, heard, and reflected in solutions.
Together, through initiatives like Pathways to Oral Health and opportunities like NOHC, we are helping shape a future where quality oral health care is accessible to all.
