About NOHC

The National Oral Health Conference® (NOHC) is “the premier meeting” for those interested in continuing education and networking opportunities within the discipline of Dental Public Health. 2020 will mark the 21st joint meeting of the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) and the American Association of Public Health Dentistry (AAPHD). This conference offers quality educational sessions with a diverse array of topics presented by the “experts." It attracts attendees from around the world as it offers face-to-face networking and sharing of timely information and experience.

This conference is designed for dentists, dental hygienists, health researchers, dental/health educators, legislators, public health officials, Medicaid/CHIP dental program staff or consultants, state/territorial dental directors, county/city/local dental directors, community health center personnel, students, school-based and school-linked health center personnel, federally-employed dental personnel, as well as dental manufacturers/distributors and dental insurance companies – in short, anyone interested in engaging in collaboration to improve the oral health of the public.

Background, history, structure of ASTDD, AAPHD and the NOHC

Why is the conference jointly hosted by the two organizations?
ASTDD has convened an annual conference since 1947. In 1986, ASTDD named the conference, “The National Oral Health Conference” and ASTDD trademarked the name in 2005. In 2000, ASTDD and AAPHD merged their annual meetings under the name, National Oral Health Conference®. To learn more about each organization, visit the ASTDD and AAPHD websites.

Who attends NOHC?
NOHC attendees come from diverse backgrounds. Among others, they include state dental program staff, dental and public health educators, researchers, Medicaid/CHIP dental program staff, county/city/local dental directors, community health center personnel, student, school-based and school-linked health center personnel, federally employed dental personnel, advocates, coalition members, private practitioners, public health members, dental manufacturers and distributors, and dental insurance company representatives.

What can you tell me about all the meetings hosted by other organizations at the NOHC?
There are a number of additional meetings hosted by other organizations during the NOHC. The American Board of Dental Public Health (ABDPH) conducts board-certification examinations for dental public health specialists and a Dental Public Health Diplomates dinner and annual business meeting for Diplomates of ABDPH. The Dental Public Health Residency Program Directors meet. Their meeting is limited to program directors. In addition, the American Network of Oral Health Coalitions (ANOHC) holds its annual business meeting for its members; the Oral Health Progress and Equity Network (OPEN) hosts a convening or a session that is open to all NOHC attendees; Health Resources & Service Administration (HRSA) holds a meeting for its Oral Health Branch grantees; and the Federal Dental Services hosts a weekend breakout session which is open to all NOHC attendees.

What do ASTDD and AAPHD do? How are they different?
ASTDD was founded 71 years ago. It provides technical assistance and support and develops resources for oral health programs that are located within state and territorial health departments.

AAPHD, founded in 1937, accepts the challenge to improve total health for all citizens through the development and support of effective programs of oral health promotion and disease prevention. It is the sponsoring agency of the American Board of Dental Public Health which is the national examining and certifying agency for the specialty of Dental Public Health.