G-1912-15919

This funding is to support the Arcora Foundation in the operation of the the National Interprofessional Initiative on Oral Health (NIIOH) and the ongoing maintenance of Smiles for Life. The Arcora Foundation, formerly known as the Delta Dental of Washington Foundation, is the fiscal agent and backbone support for the NIIOH. NIIOH regards itself as the only profession neutral, national voice for interprofessional integration of oral health into whole person care. Founded in 2009, NIIOH uses a collective impact approach to engage organizations from multiple, diverse parts of the healthcare workforce to work together to create change across education and practice. DentaQuest has been a part of a co-funding relationship in support of NIIOH since its inception. The work of NIIOH is based on the premise that patients are more likely to have good oral health if their primary care provider addresses these needs. To meet this end, NIIOH provides resources for interprofessional oral health competencies in education and clinical training. One of the most significant resources developed through NIIOH is the Smiles for Life curriculum, which has just reached over 2 million views. Smiles for Life produces educational resources to ensure the integration of oral health and primary care. The growth of NIIOH has been relatively organic, but at this time, it is critical that NIIOH explores strategic opportunities to expand its presence, cement its brand, and engage other funding partners in this work. This funding provides support for NIIOH to continue to develop a strategic plan that provides direction as it creates and aligns structural requirements across its programs, administrative systems, governance, and diversified funding stream. This work provides the foundation to formalize the NIIOH as a 501(c)3 organization. In 2019, an advisory committee was established and will be re-convened in 2020. Also in this year, this funding will support the development and launch of the fourth edition of Smiles for Life – the nation’s most comprehensive and widely used oral health curriculum designed for and by clinicians. $200,000 will be used to support the time of the Executive Director to lead this work and operating costs associated with Smiles for Life.