Working Together to Innovate Solutions

The Institute for Oral Health collaborates with America's leading experts in health care to gather data, insights, and potential solutions for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of dental care treatment, delivery, and policies.

IOH helps raise awareness on key oral health issues through this website, our quarterly newsletter, and by hosting collaborative events such as focus groups and a yearly national conference.

This knowledge resource is designed to benefit dental professionals, universities, employers, benefits companies, government agencies, and the public.

IOH Leadership

Ron Inge, DDS — Executive Director
As a founder of the Institute for Oral Health, Dr. Inge leads its initiatives to advance innovation in the dental profession and health care industry. He also serves as the Vice President of Professional Services and Dental Director for Washington Dental Service, where he promotes positive changes in network development, provider relations and clinical policies.

Advisors

Howard L. Bailit, DMD, PhD
Professor Emeritus, Univ. of Connecticut Health Center
Dr. Bailit is a national leader in health policy and managed care, and a member of the Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences since 1984.

Burton Edelstein, DDS, MPH
Professor of Dentistry and Health Policy & Management, Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery
Dr. Edelstein is Founding Director of Children's Dental Health Project, a Washington, D.C.-based research and advocacy organization committed to improving children's oral health and dental care.

Dr. Linda C. Niessen, DMD, MPH, MPP
Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer for DENTSPLY International; Clinical Professor, Dept. of Restorative Sciences, Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A&M University
At DENTSPLY, Dr. Neissen has launched innovative clinical education initiatives, oversees the Global Student Clinician Research Program and is responsible for internal and external corporate communications. Clinically, she has practiced as a geriatric dentist caring for patients residing in long term care facilities in several VA Medical Centers.

Dr. Niessen has served as President of the American Association of Women Dentists; President of the American Association of Public Health Dentistry; President of the American Board of Dental Public Health; President of the Friends of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research; and President of the Dallas County Dental Society.

Martha J. Somerman, DDS, PhD
Dean, University of Washington School of Dentistry; Professor, Depts of Periodontics and Oral Biology
Dr. Somerman is dedicated to innovating dental education curriculum and access to health care. Her NIDCR/NIH funded research group focuses on understanding mechanisms controlling the development and regeneration of the dento-alveolar complex with the long term goal of devising predictable therapies to regenerate oral craniofacial tissue. Dr. Somerman is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.