January 22, 2026 — University Park, PA — Mark Stephens, MD, MS, associate dean for medical education at Penn State College of Medicine’s University Park Regional Campus, has been named Pennsylvania’s oral health champion for the 100 Million Mouths Campaign, a national initiative led by Harvard School of Dental Medicine.
The campaign aims to improve oral health equity by training one oral health education champion per state. Over the next decade, it seeks to equip future primary care providers with the skills to improve oral health for 100 million people nationwide.
In his new role, Dr. Stephens will collaborate with medical, physician assistant, nursing, and residency programs to expand oral health education and preventive care, focusing on rural and underserved areas with limited dental access. Champions work closely with state dental directors, public health departments, and community dental professionals to strengthen connections between primary care and oral health.
“This recognition supports our efforts to extend oral health education and preventive care to some of the most austere areas of the Commonwealth,” Dr. Stephens said. “By preparing future providers to address oral health as part of whole-person care, we can positively impact population health.”
Launched in 2020 through the HRSA-funded Center for Integration of Primary Care and Oral Health, the 100 Million Mouths Campaign provides champions with curricular resources, professional networks, and funding to support educational innovation. Through this initiative, Dr. Stephens will advance Penn State College of Medicine’s commitment to health equity, interprofessional education, and improved outcomes for communities across Pennsylvania.