G-2407-21900

The Society of American Indian Dentists (SAID) was founded in 1990 and represents American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) dentists, dental students, and dental auxiliaries in the U.S. as well as the greater needs of American Indian population which disproportionately suffers across many oral health indicators due to systemic inequities.
In its first year as a CareQuest Institute grantee, SAID improved its operational processes and structure to allow for its role in serving as a voice for AI/AN dentists across the country. Additionally, SAID established a policy and Legislative Committee that reviewed invitations to support legislation, regulations, and administrative policies that had the potential to affect AI/AN communities.

The most recent grant focused on SAID’s advocacy efforts on behalf of AI/AN dentists. Additionally, SAID centered AI/AN people in oral health policy through transparent and intentional focus on policy and advocacy strategies that have the potential to positively affect Native communities and align with SAID’s mission. SAID staff and board members received policy/advocacy training and in June 2024, and SAID introduced its first Public Policy Agenda 2024. Three policy areas were identified as priority areas impacting AI/AN oral health, including the expansion of oral health coverage in Medicaid and Medicare.
This grant will focus on taking data from the State of Oral Health Equity in America 2024, a survey of SAID membership, and a recently completed survey of pre-dental and dental students and creating oral health messaging and communication methods unique to the audiences SAID serves – its membership, Indigenous communities, and policy makers. SAID will work with CareQuest Institute’s Analytics and Data Insights (ADI) Team to undergo an environmental scan to determine focus areas for each community and then develop the appropriate communication tools. This includes infographics, guides, and posters as well as social media posts, mailings, and other communication channels specific to the needs of the unique Indigenous communities. The specifics of the dataset used, message development, prioritized audience, and channels of distribution and dissemination will arise out of the collaborative work of SAID and CareQuest Institute.

With culturally appropriate communication – in both content and delivery – SAID hopes to expand its audience and increase advocacy efforts for AI/AN dental professionals and the oral health of AI/ABN communities.

Funding will support staff time, a marketing consultant, evaluation, and travel. This proposal represents 22% of SAID total organizational budget.