In order to accomplish the DentaQuest Institute’s mission to create, translate, and transfer knowledge that improves the effectiveness and efficiency of the systems that contribute to improving oral health, the Institute is engaged in several demonstration initiatives and research projects focused on improving access to, and quality of, oral health care.

Recognizing a dire need in the nation to preserve and strengthen the safety net for oral health services, the Institute launched Safety Net Solutions (SNS) in 2006.  Safety Net Solutions partners with public and private supporters of community dental health safety net programs and provides individualized technical assistance that enables them to balance mission and business.  The bottom line is sustainable safety net practices and better access and programming for their patients.

Safety Net Solutions began as a demonstration model in four Massachusetts community health centers in 2006.  Today, the Safety Net Solutions Team is advising 40+ community health centers across the United States and, with a growing demand for its services, the program is recruiting experienced and passionate expert advisors to join them.

The DentaQuest Institute enriches and expands the evidence base of effective health care delivery through DentaQuest Oral Health Center (OHC), an innovative dental practice and leader in evidence-based dentistry.  The Oral Health Center is a thriving dental practice, located in Westborough, MA, providing care to over 13,000 patients. The OHC uses the latest advances in dental medicine to prevent and treat oral diseases in its patients. The DentaQuest Oral Health Center is also a home to several national research studies and clinical trials for new prevention and treatment models.  The information and experience gained from these projects is shared through the PEARL network to enhance dental practice methods throughout the US.

Recognizing that information drives innovation and change, the Institute, is working with the Boston University School of Dental Medicine and the University of Florida, to build a series of geo-maps of dental practitioners in Massachusetts.  These maps are a valuable resource for policy makers, practitioners, insurers, and funders who want to better understand the state of the oral health care infrastructure in Massachusetts.

The DentaQuest Institute is also working with the New England Research Institutes (NERI) to understand the state of the oral health of school children and community dwelling adults in Massachusetts.  Data from that research is summarized in The Oral Health of Massachusetts Children, which can be viewed on this website.