Oral Health Wellness, Formerly Oral Health Promotion Program

The Oral Health Wellness grant, administered by the Illinois Department of Public Health, is a three-year funding opportunity designed to improve oral health outcomes for children and pregnant women across Illinois. The program focuses on community-based strategies to prevent oral disease and increase access to services, with a particular emphasis on rural communities and Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas. Eligible applicants include for-profit and non-profit corporations, government entities, school districts, and higher education institutions. To qualify, applicants must be registered in the System for Award Management, possess a Unique Entity Identifier, and complete the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act prequalification process. The solicitation offers total program funding of 315,000 dollars, with an expected 12 awards ranging from a floor of 20,000 dollars to a ceiling of 27,000 dollars. Awards are determined through a merit-based review using a 100-point rubric that evaluates the statement of need, organizational capacity, program approach, work plan, and budget. The three-year strategy is structured to support implementation in the first year, growth in the second, and sustainability in the third. Grantees are expected to implement activities such as fluoride varnish application, medical management of caries, and the use of community health worker models, while submitting quarterly expenditure documentation for reimbursement. Applications must be submitted via the GATA Grantee Portal by November 30, 2026.