Oral Health Kansas Executive Director Tanya Dorf Brunner to Lead National Oral Health Organization

Tanya Dorf Brunner, Executive Director of Oral Health Kansas, has announced she will be stepping down from her role to serve as Executive Director of the American Network of Oral Health Coalitions (ANOHC), a national organization that supports and strengthens state oral health coalitions across the country.

Dorf Brunner has led Oral Health Kansas since 2009, guiding the organization’s work to improve oral health access, education and advocacy across the state. During her tenure, she has helped advance policies and programs that extend Medicaid dental benefits to adults, promote and protect community water fluoridation and increase awareness about the importance of oral health for overall health and well-being, especially for people with disabilities.

A graduate of Bethany College, Dorf Brunner holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and philosophy, earned a Master of Management from Baker University and completed an Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership from the Harvard Kennedy School. She has dedicated her career to improving oral health systems and strengthening collaboration among consumers, providers, policymakers and community organizations.

Since joining Oral Health Kansas, Dorf Brunner has played a central role in growing the organization’s impact and partnerships. Under her leadership, the organization expanded statewide advocacy efforts, strengthened community-based initiatives and built a network of partners working to improve oral health outcomes for Kansans. She also helped build the award-winning Pathways to Oral Health initiative, led leadership initiatives such as the Dental Champions Leadership Program and supported collaboration through regional and national oral health networks.

Dorf Brunner has been active in numerous national and regional initiatives focused on improving oral health systems. She is a co-founder and past chair of ANOHC and currently co-leads the Advocacy Committee for OPEN, the Oral Health Progress and Equity Network. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Dental Assisting National Board and previously served on the board of the Kansas Dental Charitable Foundation.

“On behalf of the Oral Health Kansas Board of Directors, we are deeply grateful for Tanya’s leadership and dedication over the past 17 years. She has elevated the voice of oral health across Kansas and nationally. Through Tanya’s collaborative efforts, Oral Health Kansas has built partnerships that have strengthened our state’s oral health system. While we will miss Tanya’s leadership, we are proud to see her continue this important work on a national level,” said Melanie Simmer-Beck, RDH, Ph.D., University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry and Chair of the Oral Health Kansas Board of Directors.

Dorf Brunner’s transition to the American Network of Oral Health Coalitions reflects her longstanding commitment to strengthening oral health coalitions and advancing oral health policy and systems change nationwide. In this role, she will lead efforts to support and elevate state oral health coalitions across the United States.

Oral Health Kansas will begin a search for its next executive director and is committed to ensuring a smooth leadership transition in the months ahead.

Those interested in applying can access the job description and requirements, as well as apply here.