2026 NYSOHC Annual Meeting
Date: November 9-10 | Time: 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM
Hilton Garden Inn, Troy NY
Oral Health 2026:
New Conversations on Access and Inclusion
2026 Annual Meeting Registration $77-includes CE's
AGENDA
November 9, 2026
6:00-8:00pm WELCOME RECEPTION
Join us to connect with Coalition members from around the state. This is always a popular feature of the program where old colleagues reconnect and new friendships and partnerships are formed.
November 10, 2026
9:00 BREAKFAST and NETWORKING
10:00 WELCOME and UPDATE ON NYS ORAL HEALTH COALITION PROGRESS AND PLANS
Hear where the Coalition stands after a year of building and what's ahead as we move toward a stronger, permanent structure for oral health advocacy in New York.
10:20 ORAL HEALTH AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL:
The Increasing Role of State Coalitions
A national view of how coalitions like ours are shaping oral health policy and driving progress across the country.
Tanya Dorf Brunner
Executive Director, American Network of Oral Health
Coalitions
10:45 UPDATE ON NYS ORAL HEALTH POLICY
NYS Department of Health
Dr. Dionne Richardson and Colleagues
11:30 PRESENTATIONS ON COALITION ISSUE AREAS
Join us to learn more about the Coalition’s plans for new projects. Participate in the conversation and contribute to the plans for progress in the coming years. Bring your ideas and be prepared to get involved.
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Early Childhood Oral Health: Years of Progress, More to Do
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Veterans Oral Health: Possibilities for a New Program Area
12:30 LUNCH, AWARDS and STUDENT POSTERS
1:30 AFTERNOON SESSION
Advancing Oral Health Care for
Persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
KEYNOTE: Willow Baer
Commissioner
NYS Office of Persons with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD)
Commissioner Willow Baer joins us to discuss the state's priorities for oral health care access among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, followed by a panel response and open conversation on next steps.
REACTION PANEL and CONVERSATION ON NEXT STEPS
Panelists: Holly Saupp, LMSW, NYS Office of the Chief Disability Officer, Associate Director,
Barabara Vartanian, BA, Director, Advocacy $ Policy Institute, NYU College of Dentistry
Tanya Dorf Brunner, Executive Director, ANOHC
CE's available for Dentists and Hygienist through NYSDHA and NYSDF
3:30 Close-Safe travels
We are excited to extend an invitation to an important virtual event hosted in partnership with the American Institute on Disparities in Public Health (AIDPH), aimed at enhancing oral health care for veterans in New York. Join us on October 13,2026 at 12:00 pm for this engaging and informative session. Learn from experts, share your insights, and earn one CEU!
As oral health professionals, we understand the critical role oral health plays in overall well-being. This event is a unique opportunity to delve into the specific needs and challenges faced by our veteran community in New York.
What to Expect:
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An insightful overview of the current state of veteran oral health in New York, juxtaposed with national trends.
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In-depth analysis of state-specific veteran oral health data, using AIDPH’s comprehensive data dashboard.
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Engaging and interactive discussions aimed at harnessing information for improved clinical practice, research, and policy formulation.
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Collaborative solution-building sessions to address gaps and advocate for necessary changes in veteran oral health care.
We strongly encourage you to participate in this event and help spread the word within your professional and personal networks. Together, we can make a significant impact on the oral health and quality of life for New York veterans.
Thank you for your dedication to the dental profession and your commitment to serving those who have served our nation. We hope to see you at this important event.
The American Institute on Disparities in Public Health is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. The ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry. Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to the ADA CERP at www.ADA.org/CERP.
OPEN HILL DAY 2026:
NYSOHC REPRESENTS NEW YORK IN
WASHINGTON D.C.
On June 2nd, Melissa Wendland, Sherilee Callahan, and Paula Fischer traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in the Oral Health Progress and Equity Network (OPEN) Hill Day. The team spent the day in seminars preparing for their legislative visits, ensuring they were ready to speak to federal leaders about the importance of strengthening oral health access and equity.
On June 3rd, they joined colleagues from downstate New York for a full day of congressional meetings. Together, they visited the offices of:
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Senator Chuck Schumer
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Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
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Representative Joseph Morelle
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Representative Claudia Tenney
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Representative Greg Latimer
Their messages were well received, and the conversations reflected a shared understanding of the importance of oral health in overall health and community well‑being.
The trip also offered valuable opportunities to connect with coalition partners from across the country. The American Network of Oral Health Coalitions (ANOHC) Executive Director hosted a dinner for attendees, where participants had the chance to meet coalition members from as far away as Hawaii, strengthening national relationships and shared advocacy efforts.
NYSOHC is a member of the American Network of Oral Health Coalitions and shares their mission to shape oral health policy, champion disease prevention, and increase public awareness of the vital role oral health plays in overall well-being.
