Project OpenWide chapters allow students to bring our mission of oral-health education and access to their own schools and communities. Chapter leaders organize local outreach projects, educational activities, donation drives, and volunteer opportunities while receiving guidance, resources, and support from the Project OpenWide team.
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Starting a chapter is an opportunity to build a team of students who are passionate about dentistry, healthcare, public health, education, or community service. Chapters help expand Project OpenWide’s impact by responding to the specific oral-health needs of their local communities.
What Your Chapter Can Do
Oral-Hygiene Kit Projects
Collect toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, and other approved supplies to assemble kits for children and families in your community. Chapters may distribute these kits through schools, shelters, clinics, nonprofits, and outreach events.
Oral Health Education
Use Project OpenWide’s educational resources to teach students and community members about brushing, flossing, cavity prevention, gum health, nutrition, and the connection between oral health and overall health.
Donation Drives
Coordinate supply drives at your school, workplace, dental office, or community center. Donation drives help chapters gather the materials needed to support local hygiene-kit and outreach projects.
Community Partnerships
Build relationships with schools, dental offices, clinics, health fairs, nonprofits, and other organizations. These partnerships can help your chapter identify community needs and create more effective outreach opportunities.
Digital Education
Participate in Project OpenWide’s Weekly Bites initiative by creating engaging oral-health facts, trivia questions, and educational social-media content.
Build Your Chapter Team
A successful chapter begins with a dependable group of students who are prepared to communicate, divide responsibilities, and remain involved throughout the school year.
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Most chapters are led by a president who communicates with Project OpenWide and oversees chapter activities. Additional leaders may help manage outreach, education, donations, events, membership, and media. Your exact leadership structure may depend on the size of your chapter and the requirements of your school or organization.
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We encourage applicants to build a team before applying so the responsibility of operating the chapter does not fall on one person.
Approved chapter leaders will not have to begin completely on their own. Project OpenWide will provide guidance and resources to help chapters plan responsible, organized, and mission-aligned activities.
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Chapters may receive access to educational materials, presentation templates, donation-drive guidance, hygiene-kit recommendations, branding instructions, event ideas, and communication support. Our team may also hold check-ins with chapter leaders to review progress, answer questions, and help address challenges.
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Project OpenWide provides the framework, but local chapter leaders are responsible for recruiting members, securing school approval, contacting community partners, and carrying out their projects.
Support from Project OpenWide
Chapter Expectations
Project OpenWide chapters are expected to remain active and communicate regularly with our team. Chapters should plan approved activities throughout the year, accurately track participation, and provide updates after completing projects.
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Chapter leaders are also responsible for following school policies, protecting participant privacy, using Project OpenWide’s name and branding appropriately, and ensuring that all educational information is reviewed for accuracy.
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Specific activity requirements, reporting instructions, and chapter guidelines will be shared during onboarding.