New ASTDD Foundation Will Expand Investment in Oral Health Leadership and Capacity
Victor, NY, April 10, 2026 — The Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) today announced the official launch of the ASTDD Foundation, Inc., a philanthropic 501(c)(3) organization created to expand support for public oral health programs and strengthen oral health infrastructure nationwide.
ASTDD launched the Foundation at a critical time for state and territorial oral health programs, which face uncertain funding, workforce strain, persistent oral health disparities, and growing pressure to do more with limited resources. The Foundation will help ASTDD meet those challenges by attracting philanthropic investment, diversifying revenue, and cultivating resources to sustain and expand ASTDD’s offerings for the leaders, systems, and partnerships that advance this critical work.
The Foundation will focus on four areas of impact: (1) leadership development, (2) education and training, (3) technical assistance, and (4) capacity-building. By cultivating resources to support ASTDD’s work in these areas, the Foundation will strengthen long-term sustainability, increase organizational resilience, and help ASTDD respond more effectively to emerging public health needs.
Matthew Zaborowski, MPH, CPH, executive director of ASTDD, who will also lead the ASTDD Foundation in collaboration with its new board, said “The launch marks an important step for both the organization and the field.”
“For decades, ASTDD has helped state and territorial oral health programs build leadership, strengthen systems, and improve the health of communities across the country,” said Zaborowski. “The ASTDD Foundation allows us to build on that legacy in a new way by creating greater flexibility, stronger partnerships, and new opportunities to invest in the people and programs that drive oral health forward.”
State and territorial oral health programs play a central role in disease prevention, health promotion, surveillance, policy development, workforce support, and efforts to reduce oral health disparities. The Foundation will strengthen that work by investing in the people, knowledge, and systems that create lasting impact.
“The Foundation is about strengthening leaders and improving oral health,” Zaborowski added. “It helps expand what’s possible for ASTDD and for state and territorial programs working every day to improve oral health across the lifespan through innovation and collaboration.”
With the launch of the Foundation, ASTDD is taking a proactive step to ensure that oral health programs have the support, flexibility, and resources they need to meet today’s challenges and lead into the future.
For more information, visit astddfoundation.org or contact Matt Zaborowski, ASTDD executive director, and ASTDD foundation president and CEO.
