Program for Oral Health Policy
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Preparing the next generation for oral health transformation
The Program for Oral Health Policy at the UNC at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry is a dynamic, first-of-its-kind initiative designed to shape the future of oral health care by preparing learners to lead in policy advocacy, research, and practice. By aligning with the core components of the ACT (Advocate, Clinician, Thinker) curriculum, the Program equips students with the tools needed to address systemic barriers, advance health equity, and influence transformative change across the oral healthcare landscape.
Vision
The ASOD Program for Oral Health Policy envisions a health care system where transformative policies and innovative practices create opportunities for all individuals and communities to thrive, unburdened by oral health disparities.
Mission
The mission of the ASOD Program for Oral Health Policy is to prepare future oral health leaders to engage in systems transformation through policy, advocacy, research, and practice.
Core Values
- Collaboration and Partnership: Foster strong relationships among health professionals, researchers, policymakers, community organizations, funders, and care consumers. Emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration and cross-sector partnerships to create sustainable, equity-centered solutions.
- Health Equity: Champion the pursuit of oral health equity by addressing systems-level factors that prevent individuals from achieving health and well-being.
- Innovation and Adaptability: Cultivate a culture of continuous learning and improvement, encouraging the development of innovative, evidence-based approaches to address disparities. Remain responsive to changes in the landscape of oral health policy, research, and practice.
- Allyship and Community Engagement: Engage with communities disproportionately affected by oral health disparities, centering their lived experiences and insights in policy development and advocacy efforts. Prioritize community-led solutions and capacity building.
- Integrity and Accountability: Uphold the highest standards of transparency, ethical conduct, and accountability. Maintain open channels of communication and actively seek feedback from diverse partners and communities to inform and enhance the Program’s impact.
The three pillars of the program
The Program for Oral Health Policy at the UNC at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry is a dynamic, first-of-its-kind initiative designed to shape the future of oral health care by preparing learners to lead in policy advocacy, research, and practice. By aligning with the core components of the ACT (Advocate, Clinician, Thinker) curriculum, the Program equips students with the tools needed to address systemic barriers, advance health equity, and influence transformative change across the oral healthcare landscape.
The Policy pillar focuses on developing learners’ skills in health systems science and advocacy. It features:
Policy-focused seminars, workshops, and mentorship sessions led by experts in health policy.
The Oral Health Policy Scholars initiative, a selective one-year program offering paid externships with North Carolina government agencies, legislative offices, regulatory non-governmental organizations (e.g., NC State Board of Dental Examiners), and payer organizations (e.g., NC Medicaid).
Opportunities for direct involvement in state and national advocacy efforts, providing hands-on experience in the policy advocacy process.
The Research pillar empowers learners to address critical, unanswered questions in oral health care through applied, evidence-based research projects. It includes:
Opportunities for learners to present their research findings at conferences and policy forums, contributing to informed policy development.
Collaborative research with UNC partners, such as the Sheps Center for Health Services Research and the Gillings School of Global Public Health.
Research projects focused on key policy issues like workforce development, value-based care, and health equity.
The Practice pillar bridges policy knowledge with clinical application, integrating policy engagement into community-based experiences. Highlights include:
Engagement with local policymakers and health administrators, enabling learners to share their clinical experiences and contribute their expertise to help inform policy discussions.
Collaboration with the Dentistry in Service to Community (DISC) Program, allowing learners to apply their policy insights while providing care in diverse settings across North Carolina.
Clinical rotations in community health centers, local health departments, and other safety-net sites, offering practical experience informed by health equity principles.
Meet our Team
Director, DISC program
Community Outreach Programs Manager
Advisory Committee
The success of the Program for Oral Health Policy is driven by a dedicated Advisory Committee composed of leaders from across the health policy, philanthropy, nonprofit, corporate, workforce development, and dental education sectors. The committee provides strategic guidance and supports the Program’s mission to prepare learners for engagement in advocacy and oral health care transformation.
Members include:
- Caroline Collier, NC Area Health Education Center
- Daijah Street Davis, Blue Cross NC Foundation
- Jill Forcina, NC Area Health Education Center
- Lewis Lampiris, UNC at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry, Adjunct Faculty
- Jessica Lee, UNC at Chapel Hill Adams School of Dentistry, Senior Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and Leadership Development
- Elaine Loyack, Delta Dental North Carolina
- Rhonda Stephens, UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health
Contact
Mailing Address
UNC Adams School of Dentistry
Program for Oral Health Policy
Attn: Dr. Zachary Brian
385 S Columbia St.
Chapel Hill, NC, 27599
zbrian@unc.edu