Annual Meeting: Oral Health 2026: New Conversations on Access and Inclusion

 

November 9 from 6-8 PM

November 10 from 9:00 AM – 3:30 PM

 

Hilton Garden Inn 235 Hoosick Street, Troy NY

 

Register Today 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 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. Melissa Wendland Chair, NYSOHC

 

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 and an update on current national oral health policy issues.

Tanya Dorf Brunner Executive Director, American Network of Oral Health Coalitions

 

10:45 UPDATE ON NYS ORAL HEALTH POLICY

Dionne Richardson, DDS, MPH State Dental Director, Title V Program, NYS DOH

 

11:30 PRESENTATIONS ON COALITION ISSUE AREAS

Melissa Wendland, Chair, NYSOHC

Lindsay Wright, Erie County Health Dept.

Gregg Salzman, COO Dentserv

 

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

. • Children’s Oral Health: Years of Progress, More to Do

• Veterans Oral Health: Possibilities for a New Program Area

 

12:30 LUNCH, AWARDS and STUDENT POSTERS

 

Dr. Elmer L. Green Public Health Award Dr. Elmer L. Green was director of the Bureau of Dental Health from 1985 until 2010. The recipient should demonstrate achievement in the field of oral health promotion and show evidence of challenging traditional policy or public health practice to improve oral health in an ongoing, effective, and innovative manner.

Dr. Thomas R. Curran Fluoridation Champion Award This award is given to an individual, group of individuals, or organizations for outstanding contributions toward the progress of maintaining or expanding fluoridation in New York State. Nominate a colleague today, Awards | nysohc

 

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 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.

 

Willow Baer is a respected public servant and attorney with deep experience in state government, human services policy, and disability rights. She currently serves as Commissioner of the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD), where she leads the agency’s work to ensure that more than 120,000 New Yorkers with developmental disabilities have access to person centered services, opportunities, and supports that promote independence, inclusion, and dignity. She earned her Juris Doctor from Albany Law School and is known for her collaborative approach, strategic thinking, and unwavering dedication to advancing equity and opportunity for New Yorkers with disabilities and their families.

 

REACTION PANEL and CONVERSATION ON NEXT STEPS

Moderator: Sally Dreslin Executive Director, Step Two Policy Project

Panelists: Holly Saupp, LMSW, Associate Director, NYS Office of the Chief Disability Officer

Barbie Vartanian, BA, Director, Advocacy & Policy Initiatives, NYU College of Dentistry

Tanya Dorf Brunner, Executive Director, ANOHC

Adela Planerova, D.D.S., M.U.Dr., M.S., Associate Professor, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, University of Rochester, Chair Special Needs Dentistry Department

Jennifer Tassler, JD, Vice President for Government Relations and Strategic Affairs, New York State Academic Dental Centers

 

3:30 Close-Safe travels

 

HOTEL BLOCK

Location: Hilton Garden Inn, Hoosick St. Troy, NY

Group Code: NYSOHC Hotel Block

CE's available for Dentists and Hygienist through NYSDHA and NYSDF

CE's available for Dentists and Hygienist through NYSDHA and NYSDF