CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, Inc.

CareQuest Institute for Oral Health® is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the oral health of all people. Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, the Institute champions a more equitable future where every individual can achieve their full potential through excellent health. Its core mission is to transform the oral health system to be more accessible, equitable, and integrated.

The Institute operates through various strategic areas, including philanthropy, analytics and data insights, health transformation, policy and advocacy, and education. It provides grants to support community-driven solutions, conducts research to inform policy and practice, offers online courses and webinars for dental and medical professionals, and advocates for federal and state policy changes. CareQuest Institute also leads in dental benefits and innovation advancements, collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders to accelerate oral healthcare transformation.

Wade Rakes serves as the Chief Executive Officer, having been appointed in September 2025, and An Nguyen, DDS, MPH, was named Chief Clinical Officer in April 2026. Recent reports from CareQuest Institute highlight significant issues such as nearly 9.6 million U.S. adults traveling abroad for dental care due to high costs and access gaps, and an estimated 72 million adults lacking dental insurance. The organization is actively working to shift the oral health system towards a prevention-focused, value-based care model, moving beyond traditional approaches.