The Connecticut Oral Health Initiative, Inc.

05/28/2026

JUST ANNOUNCED: We are thrilled to confirm that Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont will be in attendance at our 25th Anniversary Gathering on June 2nd! 🦷✨

In addition to the Governor, we are honored to be hosting other distinguished guests such as Author Mary Otto, COHI Founder Dr. Howard I. Mark, Oral Health Champion Dr. Donna Balaski, and many more -- this will be a star-studded event you absolutely won't want to miss!

In honor of Governor Lamont's attendance, we're EXTENDING ticket sales one more day! Spots are very limited, so be sure to reserve your seat now at: https://tinyurl.com/COHI25Gathering

We hope to see you there! 🦷✨ 🎟️

05/26/2026

Thank you to our generous 25th Anniversary Gathering Event Sponsors! Our sponsors' support goes well beyond just making our gathering possible -- it bolsters COHI's efforts all year long to advocate for better oral health for all of Connecticut. We can't wait to celebrate with you just ONE WEEK from today! 🦷✨

05/19/2026

JUST ANNOUNCED: We are thrilled to present two of COHI's top honor awards to Dr. Donna Balaski and Lisa Perry at COHI's 25th Anniversary Gathering on June 2!

✨ 2026 Oral Health Champion Award: Dr. Donna Balaski ✨

A dentist by training with further specialty training in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dr. Balaski brought her clinical expertise to public service when she joined Connecticut's Department of Social Services in 2004 to help redesign the state's Medicaid dental program. Over nearly two decades at DSS, she became one of Connecticut's most persistent and effective voices for Medicaid oral health benefits, advocating for periodontal coverage for adults and helping make Connecticut a national model for dental policy and care. Her work earned her national recognition and induction as a Fellow of the American College of Dentists, an honor reserved for only 3.5% of dentists nationwide.

Throughout her career, Dr. Balaski has navigated the political and fiscal landscape of public health with clarity of purpose: ensuring that the people who need care the most are never treated as an afterthought. What distinguishes her is not only the breadth of her accomplishments, but the conviction behind them. COHI is proud to honor her extraordinary dedication to Medicaid oral health services and to the residents of Connecticut she has served so faithfully.

✨ 2026 Howard I. Mark Award: Lisa Perry ✨

As Executive Director of the Connecticut Foundation for Dental Outreach and the Connecticut Mission of Mercy Free Dental Clinic, Lisa has become one of Connecticut's most respected leaders in dental public health. She is the driving force behind the Connecticut Mission of Mercy, organizing the state's largest volunteer-driven dental events and delivering free, high-quality care to hundreds of Connecticut residents each year.

What distinguishes Lisa is not only the scale of her work, but how she leads it: with integrity, transparency, and a deep belief that every Connecticut resident deserves access to oral health care delivered with dignity and respect. She fosters collaboration across organizations, disciplines, and communities, inspiring all those around her that meaningful change is possible. COHI is proud to honor Lisa's extraordinary commitment to ensuring that compassionate care reaches those who need it most.

Tickets are going fast - reserve your spot now so you can see these incredible oral health trailblazers receive their well-deserved recognition in person! 🦷✨ 🎟️ Sponsorships/tickets available at: https://tinyurl.com/COHI25Gathering

05/19/2026

Last weekend, the Connecticut Oral Health Initiative (COHI) was proud to attend the Connecticut State Dental Association (CSDA) Charter Oak Conference, where, thanks to CSDA, we once again had the opportunity to host our annual booth and share information about COHI’s work advocating for underserved communities and expanding access to oral health care.

It was wonderful connecting with so many oral health professionals, building new relationships, and catching up with friends and partners who share our commitment to improving oral health across Connecticut. It was especially great to meet and network with so many dentists, dental assistants, and dental hygienists who are making a difference every day.

It was also great seeing COHI Board President Dr. Brianna Munoz and Board Director Dr. Leslie Bumpus at the conference and thanking them for all they do to support COHI and our mission. A special thank you as well to CSDA Executive Director Kathlene Garrity, along with the entire CSDA staff and executive leadership team, for all of their hard work in putting together another successful conference and for their continued partnership.

COHI was represented by Executive Director Gary Turco, Policy Advocacy Director Sandra Ferreira, and an amazing team of volunteers: Mohamed, Sophie, and Hilary, who are all currently applying to dental school and hoping to continue making a difference in the field of oral health. Their passion, energy, and commitment to serving others are inspiring and a reminder that the future of oral health is in good hands.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth. Together, we continue working toward a future where everyone has access to quality oral health care. 🦷

05/18/2026

COHI is proud to partner with the UConn Health Disparities Institute, UConn School of Dental Medicine, and Delta Dental in presenting an "Oral Health and Menopause Lunch and Learn" on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 for medical/community health professionals and students! Spots are going fast, so don't miss your chance to reserve a seat - register now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/oral-health-menopause-lunch-learn-tickets-1983822623871

05/16/2026

🦷 Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Newington Senior and Disabled Center for our oral health education event! We had a wonderful group of seniors participate in an important conversation about oral health, healthy aging, and access to care. 😁

Our team was grateful for the opportunity to share resources, answer questions, provide free oral health kits, and connect with members of the community in such a welcoming environment.

Oral health is an essential part of overall health, especially for older adults. From nutrition and chronic disease management to confidence and quality of life, maintaining good oral health can have a major impact on healthy aging.

A special thank you to the Newington Greater Together Community Fund for helping make this event possible through their generous support, and to the Newington Senior and Disabled Center for hosting us and helping bring the community together. 💙

05/12/2026

GOING FAST - Opportunities are still available to sponsor COHI's 25th Anniversary! 🦷✨

COHI's 25th Anniversary Gathering is a rare opportunity to align your organization with 25 years of oral health advocacy in . Sponsorship packages ranging from $300 to $10,000 are available, offering visibility across our event program, website, social media, and promotional emails, as well as event tickets and recognition in COHI's Annual Report. All sponsors automatically become COHI LE.A.D. Partners, important stakeholders in guiding oral health access efforts for Connecticut. We're grateful to our current Sponsors and hope you'll join the growing list! 🥳

🎟️ Sponsorships/tickets are still available but selling fast; make sure to secure your impact (and your spot!) now at: https://tinyurl.com/COHI25Gathering

05/11/2026

TODAY!! See you soon!

🦷 Newington seniors and individuals with disabilities — join us this Monday, May 11, at 10:00 AM at the Newington Senior and Disabled Center for a FREE oral health event hosted by the Connecticut Oral Health Initiative!

A dental hygienist and their team will be on hand to provide oral health education, helpful resources, and answer any questions you may have about keeping your smile healthy. 😁

All participants will also receive FREE oral health kits, enjoy light refreshments, and be entered into a gift card raffle! 🎉

A big thank you to the Newington Greater Together Community Fund for helping make this event possible through their generous support! 💙

05/08/2026

🦷 Newington seniors and individuals with disabilities — join us this Monday, May 11, at 10:00 AM at the Newington Senior and Disabled Center for a FREE oral health event hosted by the Connecticut Oral Health Initiative!

A dental hygienist and their team will be on hand to provide oral health education, helpful resources, and answer any questions you may have about keeping your smile healthy. 😁

All participants will also receive FREE oral health kits, enjoy light refreshments, and be entered into a gift card raffle! 🎉

A big thank you to the Newington Greater Together Community Fund for helping make this event possible through their generous support! 💙

05/08/2026

JUST ANNOUNCED: COHI's founder will be in attendance at COHI's 25th Anniversary Gathering - you won't want to miss it! 🦷✨

Twenty-five years ago, Dr. Howard I. Mark founded the Connecticut Oral Health Initiative (COHI) with a vision of a Connecticut where everyone has access to quality oral health care. On June 2, we are honored to welcome Dr. Mark back to celebrate the organization he built and the movement he started. Join us at the Pond House Café for an evening that honors our past and looks ahead to the next 25 years. 🎟️ Secure your spot today: https://tinyurl.com/COHI25Gathering