Introduction The Department of Community Dentistry, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Dental School organized and coordinated the project Texas Initiative for Dental Public / Community Oral Health Infrastructure Development. This effort was funded by the Bureau of Health Professions (BHPr), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), USDHHS. The project goals were to: a) Develop a strategic plan to help ensure a viable community oral health infrastructure in the state of Texas, b) Plan community oral health professional education, training, and leadership opportunities, and c) Enhance dental public/community health accessibility to underserved populations in Texas. The Workshop participants developed a broad-based collaborative plan to improve oral health for children and adults in Texas. Workshop participants included representatives from diverse organizations, agencies, professional and advocacy groups with a keen interest in improving access to oral health services and reducing oral health disparities in Texas. The Workshop involved individuals from the public, private, and non-profit sectors. A Planning Work Group met twice prior to the workshop to plan activities for the workshop. The workshop was developed with the intent to enhance ongoing local, state and national activities such as: • National Governors Association (NGA) Oral Health Policy Academy Initiative • Healthy People 2010 Oral Health Objectives • Surgeon General's Report, Oral Health in America • Texas Department of Heath Strategic Plan • Final Report, Review of the Texas Oral Health Program prepared by the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors In preparation for the Workshop the following background materials were distributed to the Workshop participants before the Workshop: • Surgeon General's Report, Oral Health in America: A Report of the Surgeon General, Executive Summary (2000) • Final Report, Review of the Texas Oral Health Program prepared by the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (September 1999) The Workshop, "Shaping the Future of Oral Health: A Collaboration on the Infrastructure for Oral Health in Texas" was held at the Embassy Suites Hotel Airport, 10110 US Hwy. 281 North, San Antonio, Texas. The Workshop began with registration, orientation, and charge to participants on the evening of Wednesday, May 30, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. It continued through the next day, Thursday, May 31, 2001 and concluded at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, June 1, 2001.