In the News

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a nonprofit focused on creating an equitable system for oral health care through research, policy, advocacy and philanthropy. In September, they announced a new CEO: Wade Rakes, MBA. Months into his new role, Rakes sat down with Dental Bite to talk about his experience as a health care executive and how...

The sounds of suction and other dental tools drone in the background as Joseph Kunchik, chief dental officer for Lorain County Health and Dentistry, examines 20-year-old Jesus Cruz. Cruz is in pain after delaying dental care because he could not afford it. “I stayed up at nights crying because of this," Cruz said. "And then eating, I'm not...

As we look ahead to 2026, we need to continue to be proactive about our health care. With an upcoming second Trump administration, some in the Black community are fearful of what that can mean for health care access. But there are some practical steps we can all take to continue to care for our health as experts of our bodies. Read the full...

This month, dental executives spoke with Becker’s about dental care accessibility, new investments and financial pressures facing the industry. Here is what six dental leaders told us in December: Read the full article...

The CareQuest Institute for Oral Health will continue to advocate for dental care accessibility as the industry faces persistent challenges along with some new obstacles in 2026. Wade Rakes, the organization’s new CEO, recently spoke with Becker’s to discuss roadblocks to dental care accessibility in the U.S., including Medicaid cuts, fluoride...

Furaha Moyé owes her smile to Harlem United. The community health center, based in Upper Manhattan, has served as a steady source of affordable, quality dental care for the 76-year-old Harlem resident for more than a decade. Faced with challenging dental issues since she was a child, Moyé said the services she receives at the center are...

Young people living in rural parts of Colorado are accessing oral health care at half the rate of the general population, according to data from a new online Dental Dashboard created by the Center for Improving Value in Health Care in partnership with the Colorado Dental Association. Read the full article...

Along with brushing and flossing, good dental insurance goes a long way towards keeping your teeth healthy. Since 2016, Money’s editorial team has spent thousands of hours researching and vetting the best dental insurance providers and coverage. We've evaluated the most comprehensive policies from top insurers, including Delta Dental, Guardian...

A toothache may seem minor compared to the other medical conditions and accidents that can send people to the hospital, but the number of Americans seeking treatment in emergency rooms for nontraumatic dental conditions, and the costs associated with the care, have been increasing, making dental debt a growing concern. Read the full article...

The Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute (ICAPI) has announced a new partnership with the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health to conduct critical research on the burden of dental debt among Hoosiers. This collaboration aims to illuminate an issue that, despite the state’s ongoing conversation about general medical debt, remains severely...

In 2024, the Health Resources and Services Administration reported that approximately 60 million Americans live in dental health professional shortage areas, representing 17.4% of the total population.1 These regions lack oral health professionals and are unable to meet the population’s needs. Telehealth has emerged as a promising solution to...

The American Dental Association and the CareQuest Institute for Oral Health have spoken out against the FDA’s decision to limit the use of ingestible fluoride products. Read the full article...