Calling All Oral Health Entrepreneurs and Innovators:
Pitch Your Idea for a $50,000 Prize!
| What is the “Great Oral Health Pitch”? The Great Oral Health Pitch: Innovate, Elevate, and Generate Your Idea to Advance Oral Health! program is designed to help entrepreneurs refine your innovations into winning business strategies. Through a series of nationwide “Shark Tank” style pitch events, participants have the chance to compete for a sponsorship package valued at over $50,000. This incredible package includes cash, product and service sponsorships, business launch marketing, networking opportunities with industry leaders, and more! The live pitch events takes place at three major dental meetings: đź“Ť Greater New York Dental Meeting (GNYDM) đź“Ť Chicago Midwinter Meeting đź“Ť California Dental Association Meeting (CDA) At each event, a panel of oral healthcare industry experts provide personalized feedback, offering participants valuable insights on how to perfect their pitch and enhance their business strategy. At each event, one standout winner receives a $2,500 cash prize, and two runner-ups are also selected. All three winners from each event—the top prize winner and both runner-ups—advance to the final round, where they will compete for the Great Oral Health Pitch Grand Prize: an exclusive sponsorship package valued at over $50,000 that includes cash, oral healthcare products and services, business development support, networking and mentorship opportunities and more! This is your opportunity to bring your innovation to life—compete, connect, and take your idea to the next level in the Great Oral Health Pitch! Who Can Participate? All innovators and entrepreneurs in the oral health community are welcome! Including, but not limited to: Oral Health Professionals, Early-Stage Entrepreneurs, Educators and Researchers, Dental Students and Residents, and Public Health Advocates. How Do I Participate? Create a 5-minute pitch deck that showcases your groundbreaking idea. Present your concept live to an expert panel of judges. Compete for a chance to win the $50,000 grand prize and take your idea to the next level. Why Attend? Learn: Gain mentorship and insights from industry leaders Network: Build connections with like-minded innovators and potential investors. Win: Propel your idea forward with life-changing prizes and support. Don’t miss your chance to innovate, elevate, and generate! Mark your calendars for our upcoming event on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at the Anaheim Convention Center during the California Dental Association Meeting and take the first step toward making your dream a reality. Sign up now—spaces are limited, and this is one event you don’t want to miss! |
Shils Fund Great Oral Health Pitch Terms and Conditions
By participating in the Shils Fund Great Oral Health Pitch event, all participants agree to the following terms and conditions:
- Public Forum Disclaimer
The Shils Fund Great Oral Health Pitch event is a public forum. Participants are responsible for protecting any trade secrets, proprietary information, or confidential material included in their submissions or presentations. The Shils Fund is not liable for any unintended dissemination of such information. - Presentation Submission Requirement
Participants are required to submit their final presentation materials, no later than 48 hours before the scheduled presentation time. Failure to meet this deadline may result in the Shils Fund exercising its right to confirm or cancel the participant’s presentation. - Selection of Presenters
The selection of presenters is at the sole discretion of the Shils Fund. - Distribution of Funds
Funds awarded as part of the Great Oral Health Pitch sponsorship package will be distributed at the sole discretion and timeline determined by the Shils Fund. - Event Conduct
Participants are expected to maintain professional conduct throughout the event. The Shils Fund reserves the right to disqualify participants for behavior deemed inappropriate, disruptive, or inconsistent with the event’s mission. - Use of Award Funds
Award funds must be used for purposes outlined in the pitch or as agreed upon with the Shils Fund. Recipients may be required to provide periodic updates or reports on the use and impact of the funds. - Media and Marketing
By participating, participants grant the Shils Fund permission to use their names, images, and presentation content for promotional purposes related to the Great Oral Health Pitch and other Shils Fund activities. - Finality of Decisions
All decisions made by the Shils Fund, including the selection of winners and distribution of funds, are final and not subject to appeal. - Eligibility
Participants must meet all eligibility criteria as outlined in the event guidelines. Failure to meet these criteria may result in disqualification. - Single Event Participation – Presenters may participate in only one Great Oral Health Pitch event and must not have been a winner of any other entrepreneurial or innovation-based awards, including the Shils Partnership Awards. All participants must disclose any prior awards, and failure to do so may result in disqualification. These guidelines ensure fairness, encourage new innovators, and promote diverse participation.
For any questions or clarifications regarding these terms and conditions, please contact info@shilsfund.org.
START YOUR JOURNEY NOW!
REGISTER FOR OUR UPCOMING PITCH EVENT
IN CALIFORNIA!
Saturday, May 17, 2025
9am – 12pm
Anaheim Convention Center
800 W Katella Ave, Anaheim, CA 92802
RECENT GREAT ORAL HEALTH PITCH EVENTS
Date: Saturday, February 22, 2025
Time: 9AM – 12PM
Location: McCormick Place West Building, 2301 S. Indiana Ave, Chicago,
Sponsor Learning Theater West, Exhibit Hall, Level 3
Monday, December 2, 2024
Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York City
2024 Great Oral Health Pitch Award Winner
The Shils Fund is proud to announce the grand prize winner of the 2024 Great Oral Health Pitch: Dr. Ashley Lerman, founder of Firstgrin. Dr. Lerman, a board-certified pediatric dentist, was recognized for her innovative approach to enhancing oral health access and preventive care, particularly for pregnant women and caregivers. Her initiative, First Grin, distributes personalized oral care kits through OBGYNs and pediatricians, and is supported by a companion app that provides parents with critical early oral health education and helps connect them to providers.
In her acceptance speech, Dr. Lerman expressed her excitement and commitment to this cause, stating, “This award doesn’t just honor the work we’ve done, it speaks of the vision and values of the late Dr. Edward B. Shils, whose legacy continues to shape the landscape of oral health innovation. We are making preventive dental care accessible for families, starting with mothers during pregnancy, because we know the long-term benefits this has for both oral and overall health.”
Dr. Lerman’s innovative product not only supports early intervention but also aims to bridge gaps in oral health awareness, helping families take control of their dental health from the very beginning. The Shils Fund is honored to support such a visionary project that has the potential to make a lasting impact on oral health.
Great Oral Health Pitch Events
2023- 2024
Great Oral Health Pitch Program Commences at California Dental Association Meeting, Showcasing Innovations Set to Transform the Oral Healthcare Landscape – May 16, 2024
Online Webinars
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