Risk
How do we deal with failure?
If this program does not meet the goals, the worst-case scenario is a couple of hundred dollars and a few hours of each volunteer's time going to waste. Given all of the theoretical long-term benefits of educating and setting individuals up for dental health success, such a worst-case scenario is not very bad at all.
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From the information we've reviewed, people experiencing homelessness are already dealing with countless dental issues which affect their everyday life. We have the power to possibly aid those people, while also ensuring that others are set up to care for their teeth to avoid these issues.
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Also, despite the ADA still supporting the addition of fluoride in community waters, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been adamantly against the fluoridation and been vocal about his assembly of health experts to help support his cause and his plans for the CDC to stop recommending the addition of fluoride.
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If this change were to occur and community waters lost its fluoride contents, the rate of cavities would surely increase, and homeless individuals would be affected by this more than most, especially if they do not have access to fluoride toothpaste.
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That means that more than ever, we must do what we can to support the homeless population with education and resources in preventive dental care.
Success
At least two faculty members and five to ten student volunteers would be a sign that there is enough involvement and participation to begin the program.
At least thirty participants as audience members in the first presentation would also be considered a success. If that number were expected to dwindle with a bimonthly presentation, then that number could change to once a month, and focus could be put on community outreach. The stakes are not high, and the scope of success far outweighs the cost of failure.