Oral Health Ohio Symposium - Advancing Oral Health in Ohio: Policy, Integration, and Community Impact (October 23, 2026)

Program Information

The Oral Health Ohio Symposium is a one-day, statewide educational conference that convenes oral health professionals, health care providers, public health practitioners, policymakers, educators, community organizations, and other stakeholders to advance oral health equity and strengthen the integration of oral health into overall health care. Through keynote presentations, expert panels, and collaborative discussions, participants will explore emerging research, policy developments, workforce trends, and innovative strategies that improve access to high-quality oral health care for Ohioans across the lifespan.

This year's symposium will feature sessions on artificial intelligence in dentistry, using oral health data to inform public health action, state and national policy updates, strengthening Ohio's dental hygiene workforce, oral health integration for dual-eligible populations, and community-based approaches to expanding access for older adults and people with disabilities. Attendees will gain practical knowledge, evidence-based strategies, and interdisciplinary perspectives that can be applied within their organizations and communities to improve health outcomes and advance integrated, equitable systems of care.

For a full agenda: Oral Health Ohio Symposium Agenda

This conference met on October 23, 2026.

Target Audience

This activity is appropriate for the following audiences:

  • Nurses
  • Nurse Practitioners
  • Physicians
  • Physician Associates/Assistants
  • Social Workers
  • Pharmacists
  • Dentists
  • Psychologists
  • Registered Dietitians
  • Other behavioral health providers
  • Other members of the care team

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to do the following:

  • Evaluate emerging evidence, policy developments, and technologies that influence oral health care delivery and access.
  • Apply evidence-based strategies to integrate oral health into interdisciplinary, person-centered health care settings.
  • Identify workforce, policy, and community-based approaches that improve equitable access to oral health services for diverse populations.
  • Develop collaborative strategies to strengthen partnerships across health care, public health, and community organizations to improve oral health outcomes.
  • Implement practical approaches within their organizations or communities that advance oral health equity and improve care for underserved populations.

AMA Designation Statement

Moses/Weitzman Health System Inc. designates this Live activity for a maximum of 3.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. 

Activity summary

Available credit: 
  • 3.75 AAPA Category I CME
    Through Joint Accreditation, Moses/Weitzman Health Center, Inc./Weitzman Institute is able to provide American Academy of PAs (AAPA) credit to physician assistants at its activities. Participants should only claim commensurate credit with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • 3.75 ACE/ASWB
    Through Joint Accreditation Moses/Weitzman Health Center, Inc./Weitzman Institute is able to provide Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) credit to social workers at its activities.
  • 3.75 ACPE
    Through Joint Accreditation, Moses/Weitzman Health Center, Inc./Weitzman Institute is able to provide Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) credit to pharmacists at its activities.
  • 3.75 ADA CERP
    Through Joint Accreditation, Moses/Weitzman Health Center, Inc./Weitzman Institute is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry. Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition at ADA.org/CERP.
  • 3.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    Through Joint Accreditation, Moses/Weitzman Health Center, Inc./Weitzman Institute is able to provide AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ to physicians at its activities via Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).
  • 3.75 ANCC
    Through Joint Accreditation, Moses/Weitzman Health Center, Inc./Weitzman Institute is able to provide American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) nursing credit to nurses at its activities.
  • 3.75 APA
    Through Joint Accreditation, Moses/Weitzman Health Center, Inc./Weitzman Institute is able to provide American Psychological Association (APA) credit to psychologists at its activities.
  • 3.75 CDR
    Through Joint Accreditation, Moses/Weitzman Health Center, Inc./Weitzman Institute is able to provide CDR credits to registered dieticians at its activities.
  • 3.75 Participation Hour(s)
    You are able to download an unaccredited Participation Certificate for your records if you are not able to use any of the credit types provided for this activity or if this activity does not offer accredited CME/CE credits.
Activity opens: 
10/23/2026
Activity expires: 
04/23/2027

Schedule

The full schedule may be found here: Oral Health Ohio Symposium Agenda

October 23, 2026

  • Panel 1 - The Oral Health of Ohioans: Turning Data into Action (10:30-11:15am)  
  • Panel 2 - Oral Health Policy: Key Changes in Shaping Access and Care (11:30am-12:15pm)
  • Panel 3 - Strengthening the Dental Hygiene Workforce: Ohio’s Path Forward (1:15-2:00pm)
  • Panel 4 - Bridging Care: Oral Health  Integration for Dual-Eligible Populations (2:00-2:45pm)
  • Panel 5 - Community Solutions: Expanding Oral Health Access for Older Adults & People with Disabilities (2:45-3:30pm)

Weitzman Institute Disclosure Statement

It is the policy of the Weitzman Institute to ensure that Continuing Education (CE) activities are independent and free of commercial bias. To ensure educational content is objective, balanced, and guarantee content presented is in the best interest of its learners' and the public, the Weitzman Institute requires that everyone in a position to control educational content disclose all financial relationships with ineligible companies within the prior 24 months. An ineligible company is one whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. Examples can be found at accme.org.

Faculty participating in a Weitzman Institute-sponsored activity must disclose to the planning committee and audience all financial or other relationship(s) with ineligible companies.

Dr. Karen Ashley is the Director of Education for the Weitzman Institute. She oversees all educational programming accredited by the Moses/Weitzman Health System.

Planners & Presenters

  • Abby Beausir, PhD, MPH, MCHES, OCPS - Director, Oral Health Strategy, Oral Health Ohio
  • Homa Amini, DDS, MS, MPH - Clinical Professor of Pediatric Dentistry at The Ohio State University College of Dentistry; Attending dentist at Nationwide Children's Hospital
  • Ron Browder, MSEd - President, Co-Founder, and CEO of the Ohio Federation for Health Equity and Social Justice
  • Erika Cybulskis, BA - Government & Community Relations Representative at Delta Dental
  • Susan Lawson, MHRM - Director of Oral Health Services, Ohio Association of Community Health Centers
  • Cindy Lord, MHS, PA-C - Ohio Oral Health Champion, 100 Million Mouths Campaign
  • Star Sawicki, RDH, MPH - State Oral Health Program Administrator, Oral Health Program of Bureau of Maternal, Child, and Family Health, Ohio Department of Health 
  • Haley Miller, MPH - Health Services Policy Analyst, Oral Health Program Bureau of Maternal, Child, and Family Health, Ohio Department of Health  
  • Vaughn Flasher - President, Capitol Strategies Group  
  • Paul Casamassimo, DDS - Chief Policy Officer, American Academy of   Pediatric Dentistry
  • Laura Sorg, MD - Medical Director, Ohio Dept of   Developmental Disabilities
  • Jacinto Beard, DDS - Chief Dental Officer, Molina Healthcare
  • David Owsiany, JD - Executive Director, Ohio Dental Association 
  • Luke Burroughs, RDH, MPH - Program Director, UC Blue Ash Dental Hygiene Program 
  • Marie Richey, MS, RDH - Associate Professor & Program Director, Shawnee State University Dental Hygiene Program  
  • Justin Nance, MSDH, RDH - President, Ohio Dental Hygienists Association; Representative, Hygienist Inspired Program
  • Wendy Bowles, PhD, APRN-CNP, CNE - College of Nursing, The Ohio State University
  • Valery Villeda - Dental Hygiene Student, Columbus State Community College 
  • Beth Kowalczyk, JD - Chief Executive Officer, Ohio  Association of Area Agencies on Aging 
  • Samantha Morales, MA - Senior Policy Advocate, Justice In Aging
  • Michelle Kohler, DDS, MPH - Chief Dental Officer and Director of Quality Improvement & Population Health, Delta Dental of Michigan
  • Steven Alexander - Section Chief, Integrated Care Policy, Ohio Department of Medicaid
  • Tiffany Lacour, MCP - Senior Program Officer, HealthPath Foundation of Ohio 
  • Cindy L Linger - Executive Director, Access Health Stark County
  • Mark Rasch, DDS, MS - Dental Consultant, Reach Out of Montgomery County
  • Brian Martin, DMD, MHCDS Vice President, Population Health Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatric Dentistry

Disclosures

  • Vaughn Flasher - Independent Contractor: UnitedHealthcare Services, Inc. (Present)
  • All disclosures of potential relevant financial relationships have been reviewed and mitigated through Moses/Weitzman Health System’s accreditation review process.

Accreditation Statement

In support of improving patient care, this activity has been planned and implemented by HealthPath Foundation of Ohio and Moses/Weitzman Health System, Inc./Weitzman Institute. Moses/Weitzman Health System, Inc. is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credential Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

By completing this activity, you provide Moses/Weitzman Health System Inc. the permission to share completion data with the ACCME and the certifying board(s).

Joint Accreditation Logo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Please note that continuing education credit requirements differ by state, jurisdiction, and licensing agency. It is your responsibility to confirm if your licensing/credentialing agency will accept the credits offered by this activity.

Available Credit

  • 3.75 AAPA Category I CME
    Through Joint Accreditation, Moses/Weitzman Health Center, Inc./Weitzman Institute is able to provide American Academy of PAs (AAPA) credit to physician assistants at its activities. Participants should only claim commensurate credit with the extent of their participation in the activity.
  • 3.75 ACE/ASWB
    Through Joint Accreditation Moses/Weitzman Health Center, Inc./Weitzman Institute is able to provide Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) credit to social workers at its activities.
  • 3.75 ACPE
    Through Joint Accreditation, Moses/Weitzman Health Center, Inc./Weitzman Institute is able to provide Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) credit to pharmacists at its activities.
  • 3.75 ADA CERP
    Through Joint Accreditation, Moses/Weitzman Health Center, Inc./Weitzman Institute is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry. Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to the Commission for Continuing Education Provider Recognition at ADA.org/CERP.
  • 3.75 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
    Through Joint Accreditation, Moses/Weitzman Health Center, Inc./Weitzman Institute is able to provide AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ to physicians at its activities via Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).
  • 3.75 ANCC
    Through Joint Accreditation, Moses/Weitzman Health Center, Inc./Weitzman Institute is able to provide American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) nursing credit to nurses at its activities.
  • 3.75 APA
    Through Joint Accreditation, Moses/Weitzman Health Center, Inc./Weitzman Institute is able to provide American Psychological Association (APA) credit to psychologists at its activities.
  • 3.75 CDR
    Through Joint Accreditation, Moses/Weitzman Health Center, Inc./Weitzman Institute is able to provide CDR credits to registered dieticians at its activities.
  • 3.75 Participation Hour(s)
    You are able to download an unaccredited Participation Certificate for your records if you are not able to use any of the credit types provided for this activity or if this activity does not offer accredited CME/CE credits.
Please log in or register to take this activity.

How to Register

  1. Create an account on the Weitzman Education Platform if you do not have one already. Reference How do I create an account? if needed. 
  2. Select the Register button above to register for all conference sessions, regardless of your attendance.
  3. Then, in the table above, select the links for each session you attended.
  4. Within each activity, select the Continue tab above to complete the session evaluation. You will need to complete a session evaluation for each session you would like to claim credit for.
  5. After completing session evaluations and claiming credit for each session you attended, you can download an overall conference certificate appropriate to your credentials.

For a visual guide: How do I register, complete the session evaluations, and claim credits for a conference?

You must claim credit and download your certificate by the activity expiration date. For compliance reasons, the Weitzman Institute cannot modify this deadline. If you need any technical support, submit a ticket to our Support Center.