Oral Health Equity Grand Challenge

In collaboration with Colgate-Palmolive, Sigma is sponsoring a Grand Challenge initiative related to improving oral health equity and giving a nurse US $10,000 to develop or implement their solution.

Did you know? 
According to the World Health Organization's 2022 Global Oral Health Status Report, nearly half of the world's population—45% or 3.5 billion—suffer from oral health diseases. Many of these people are in low- and middle-income countries. 

Challenge
Use your knowledge, background, and expertise to develop an innovative approach to addressing oral health equity. The need for oral health care and promoting oral healthcare ranges from prenatal through old age and end of life. Access to oral health services and health promotion and disease prevention related to oral health varies depending on where one lives, access to payment resources for oral healthcare, language, gender, race and ethnicity and other factors. 

Purpose
This challenge is designed to provide nurses the opportunity to develop evidence-informed strategies to reduce oral health inequities that could be replicated on a local, national, and international scale. Participants will identify at least one potential intervention to decrease oral health inequities (examples include community-based activities or solutions using technology).

Submit your idea by 11 April 2025!

Join

  1. Be a registered nurse or country equivalent with a current license.
  2. Complete the Oral Health Equity Leader: Pediatric Care course.
  3. Identify an intervention to reduce oral health inequity.
  4. Fill out the challenge application by 11 April 2025.

Recipient benefits
The nurse whose solution is selected will have the opportunity to:

  • Share their story and idea at a special session during Sigma's 48th Biennial Convention in Indianapolis 8-12 November 2025 in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. An incremental travel stipend of US $2,500 will be provided at convention to assist with expenses associated with attending.
  • Participate in a Sigma webinar to discuss the idea and continue the dialogue.
  • Receive US $10,000 in prize money to develop or implement their idea or activity within one year of receiving funding. Ten percent of the funding will be held back until the activity and final report are completed and submitted. (Reporting template that includes the collection of qualitative and quantitative data will be provided to recipient at time of award.)

Guidelines
To apply, provide your personal information, a summary of your idea (in 100 words or less), the context surrounding your idea (300 words or less), a budget with your direct costs, and personal statement as to what spurred this idea.

Some questions to consider:

  • How does your solution address the challenge that you have identified?
  • How will your solution improve outcomes and benefits of the individuals cared for or the target community?
  • What makes your approach innovative?
  • Who is needed to make this solution a reality? Have you already engaged with stakeholders?
  • What resources will be needed to implement your solution?
  • Is your solution scalable or replicable for others?
  • How will you evaluate the success of your solution? 
  • How will you disseminate the success of your solution?

Questions
Email Sigma Research Services
Phone: 888.634.7575 (US/Canada toll-free) or +1.317.634.8171 (International)

Submit your idea »

Oral Health Equity Resources

Promoting oral health equity related to race and ethnicity, access, and availability

OralHealthEquityLeader

Oral Health Equity Leader: Pediatric Care

This free course defines early childhood caries and addresses the prevalence, etiology, risk factors, and consequences of oral disease in children. Nurses will learn their role in preventing early childhood caries, and as a member of the care team, nurses will promote oral health in children. From teaching a lesson or simply engaging with children, you can help us bring oral health education to vulnerable communities. Help kids and their families learn healthy oral care habits that will last a lifetime!

After completing the course, you will receive an Oral Health Equity Leader Virtual Badge and can request to receive an Oral Health Equity Leader Kit from Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures®, which promotes health equity and optimal health and well-being by engaging with children and families in the communities where they are born, live, work, learn, play, and pray. Each kit includes easy-to-use oral health materials, plus Colgate® toothpaste and toothbrush samples for children. Terms and conditions apply.

One hour of nursing continuing professional development (NCPD) is available for completing this course.

Enroll »

This course is also available in Spanish and Portuguese. 


WholeBodyOralHealthProgram

Whole Body Oral Health Program

This free program dives into the critical connections between oral health and the other systems within the body. Learners will have a greater understanding of the signs and symptoms of oral diseases, the common risk factors that contribute to oral disease, and the correlation between oral disease and the presentation of diabetes, respiratory conditions, and cardiovascular conditions. A true “eye-opener,” this program also equips learners with educational strategies for preventing and managing oral health disorders to reduce the risk of disease in other seemingly distinct bodily systems. Additionally addressing disparities in oral health, the learner can contribute to a healthier future for themselves as well as their patients and/or students.

Two hours of nursing continuing professional development (NCPD) is available for completing this course. 

Enroll »

Webinars

Children's Oral Health Equity and Promotional Practices

Poor oral health has been linked with negative child health outcomes, including early childhood dental caries (ECC), a leading Healthy People 2030 public health concern. Health and racial disparities put disadvantaged children at a higher risk for developing ECC. The nursing profession can play a leadership role to promote oral health equity through appropriate health promotion and disease prevention best practices. This free webinar discusses recommended oral health practicesw to tackle ECC and explores strategies to promote oral health racial and health equity related to access, availability, and affordability.

This webinar is sponsored by Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures®

NCPD contact hours: 1.0 

View webinar »

 
 

Trick or Treat? The Systematic Effect of Diabetes Caused by Oral Disease

The goal of this presentation is to educate nurses and nursing professionals on the significance of preventive oral healthcare behaviors that contribute to reducing the incidence of oral disease as the causal factor of systemic infections, inflammatory injury, and end-organ damage.

This webinar is sponsored by Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures®

NCPD contact hours: 1.0

View webinar »
 
 

Supporting Inclusive, Whole-Person Oral Healthcare for Rural Communities

Join the American Institute of Dental Public Health to explore the intersection of rural, veteran, and disability communities. This session will highlight the unique challenges these populations face in accessing oral healthcare while sharing clinical care delivery solutions. Participants will discuss asset-based approaches to healthcare delivery that emphasize local strengths, while adopting a whole-person perspective to support comprehensive health outcomes. Nurses will gain valuable insights on how to integrate oral health into their practice and contribute to overcoming access barriers in rural communities. 

This webinar is sponsored by Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures®

NCPD contact hours: 1.0 

View webinar »