NIHB Welcomes National Coalition of Dentists for Health Equity to National Partnership for Dental Therapy
On October 1, 2019, the National Indian Health Board celebrated the launch of The National Coalition of Dentists for Health Equity (DHE). The coalition is now the third co-chair of the National Partnership for Dental Therapy. Together with DHE and Community Catalyst, the National Indian Health Board stands as a leader in the effort to expand dental therapy nationwide.
For years, the National Indian Health Board’s Tribal Oral Health Initiative has provided outreach, education, and technical assistance, serving as a resource for Tribes seeking to bring dental therapy to their own communities.
“NIHB is pleased to welcome DHE to the fight for dental therapy,” said NIHB Chairwoman Victoria Kitcheyan, Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. “As Tribes continue to assert our sovereign right to employ dental therapists, the voice of dentists inside and outside of the Indian health system will play a vital role. We have seen time and again that dentists are some of the strongest advocates for Tribal dental therapy, and we at NIHB are eager to work with DHE and Community Catalyst as co-chairs of the National Partnership for Dental Therapy to ensure every community has access to oral health care.”
DHE will serve as an invaluable partner in this effort as it seeks to elevate the voices of dentists from across the county to advance health equity through support of evidence-based practices like dental therapy.
To learn more about the National Partnership for Dental Therapy, visit www.dentaltherapy.org.
Click here to learn more about dental therapy legislation in Montana.
