Past Themes

Understanding when to exit a theme is as important as when to begin one. We look to evaluate the impact of our long-term investment in themes to understand if we have accomplished our outcomes as a foundation for that body of work.

The role of a foundation is to create the knowledge, leadership and organizational capacity within the state that will lead to long-term sustainability. It is often at that point that we hand off our work to other leaders in the state so that it can live on through the leadership and projects of other organizations and coalitions.

Improving the Oral Health of the People of New Hampshire

Oral Health was one of the Endowment's original themes. We recognized that oral health is a key component to overall health. Working with a variety of key stakeholders convened by the Endowment and the NH Department of Health and Human Services, the group set about the task of educating providers, the public and policymakers on how oral health contributes to overall health and ensuring access to oral health services for all NH residents.

The New Hampshire Oral Health Coalition was formed and the group created the state's first comprehensive Oral Health Plan: A Framework for Action. The plan, which focused on the integration of oral health and general health, was presented to the people of New Hampshire, the Legislature, and a variety of health professionals. The plan guided the Endowment's investment in more than 30 projects representing more than 40 grants. In the last five years, these projects have improved access to oral health and laid the groundwork for future progress.

The foundation has concluded its theme work in this area but continues to support a variety of Oral Health projects related to public policy change as outlined in the Plan which continues to be implemented by the Coalition.

Oral Health Accomplishments