CareQuest Institute for Oral Health is a national nonprofit dedicated to improving oral health through research, grantmaking, policy advocacy, education, and community partnerships. The organization supports initiatives that expand equitable access to oral health care, reduce health disparities, and integrate oral health into overall health systems.

CareQuest funds projects in four primary areas:

1. Policy & Advocacy

Supports efforts that improve oral health policy at the federal, state, or local level.

Examples include:

• Expanding dental coverage through Medicare or Medicaid

• Improving oral health legislation

• Community advocacy initiatives

• Policy research

• Oral health equity campaigns

2. Community Capacity & Voice

Funds initiatives that strengthen community leadership and ensure underserved populations help shape oral health policies and programs.

Examples include:

• Community organizing

• Resident leadership development

• Coalition building

• Community engagement

• Addressing racial and health inequities

3. Care Delivery

Supports innovative models that improve access to dental care.

Examples include:

• Medical-dental integration

• Teledentistry

• Workforce development

• Person-centered care

• New delivery models

• Expanding access in underserved communities

4. Research

Funds research that advances oral health systems change.

Examples include:

• Population oral health studies

• Health disparities research

• Evaluation of care models

• Value-based care

• Community-based participatory research

• Data collection and analytics

Proposals should be led by, or strongly informed through trusted relationships with, communities that have historically been affected by oral health inequities.