Delta Dental Institute

We're thrilled to announce $980,000 in funding to the newest class of awardees from the Delta Dental Oral Health Diversity Fund — the first national fund aimed at inspiring school-aged children from historically underrepresented groups to pursue a career in oral health. These programs pave the way for a new generation of diverse oral health professionals by providing students from underrepresented communities with mentorship, educational resources, and immersive opportunities. ? ?? Congratulations to this year's six awardees: American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Diversity in Dentistry Mentorships, Inc. NAF National Dental Association, Inc. Planet Smilez Inc., Inc. Society of American Indian Dentists Learn more about the 2024 Delta Dental Oral Health Diversity Fund awardees ?? https://lnkd.in/gtVw-746 #DiversityInDentistry #OralHealth #Mentorship #InclusiveHealthcare #HealthEquity #FutureDentists #STEM #Education #OralHealthWorkforce

Delta Dental celebrates five years of partnership in supporting the oral health of America’s veterans with the Dental Lifeline Network: https://lnkd.in/gcnXe4-W

This National Dental Hygiene Month, Delta Dental shares additional findings from its 2024 State of America’s Oral Health and Wellness Report that reveal more adults are motivated to practice preventive oral health care. Notably, 91% of adults say that saving money and avoiding unforeseen costs is a good reason to maintain their dental hygiene, which is up over last year (87%). Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g3rjzpEk

While addressing complex issues in health care remains a major challenge, partnerships can support the greater community ecosystem and improve care delivery for those in need. Oftentimes, unexpected partnerships lead to the most impactful outcomes by enhancing the health-care workforce, bridging access gaps, and supporting Americans in thriving as they age. I invite you to read more in my new Milken Institute #PowerOfIdeas blog to learn more about how Delta Dental companies are advancing oral health through partnerships. https://lnkd.in/gsgvVZdT

We are proud to support the Society of American Indian Dentists, a 2024 awardee of the Delta Dental Oral Health Diversity Fund, the first national fund aimed at inspiring school-aged children from historically underrepresented groups to pursue a career in oral health. The Society of American Indian Dentists, whose program, Telling the Story of a Path to Dentistry: Connecting American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Dentists with AI/AN Youth, links AI/AN dentists serving as volunteer oral health ambassadors with Native high school students to tell their story about becoming a dentist and inspire more Native youth to consider a career in dentistry. Learn more??https://lnkd.in/gxQ9U2Cy?

We are proud to support Planet Smilez Inc., a 2024 awardee of the Delta Dental Oral Health Diversity Fund, the first national fund aimed at inspiring school-aged children from historically underrepresented groups to pursue a career in oral health. Planet Smilez, Inc., whose Discovering Dentistry Symposium aims to inspire students from educationally and economically disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue careers in oral health and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields through an immersive event centered on the connection between oral and systemic health, career paths in oral healthcare, and the daily routines of dental professionals. Learn more??https://lnkd.in/eMqHmYVq

We are proud to support the National Dental Association, Inc., a 2024 awardee of the Delta Dental Oral Health Diversity Fund, the first national fund aimed at inspiring school-aged children from historically underrepresented groups to pursue a career in oral health. National Dental Association, whose S.M.I.L.E. (Student Mentoring with Immersive Learning and Enrichment) Healthcare Pathway Program connects a diverse group of high school students with an oral health mentor and provides an immersive week-long camp at historically black colleges and universities to introduce students to careers in oral health. Learn more??https://ndaonline.org/

Today is #WorldMenopauseDay, and Delta Dental is helping spotlight the connection between oral health and menopause in the documentary, “The (M) Factor: Shredding the Silence on Menopause,” which premiered on PBS yesterday. The film is a groundbreaking documentary that empowers and educates the estimated 1.1 billion women worldwide who will be in menopause by 2025. Sarah Chavarria, CEO and President, Delta Dental of California and Affiliates, and Teri Barichello, DMD, Vice President and Chief Dental Officer, Delta Dental of Oregon and Alaska, are featured in the film, sharing compelling insights into how menopause impacts women’s oral and overall health. Stream “The (M) Factor” on PBS.org and check local listings for additional air dates. Learn more about this often-overlooked topic here: https://lnkd.in/gw2xTBHQ #TheMFactorFilm #ShreddingTheSilence #IamMoreThanMenopause #OralHealth #WomensHealth #DeltaDental #Menopause #MenopauseAwareness

We are proud to support NAF, a 2024 awardee of the Delta Dental Oral Health Diversity Fund, the first national fund aimed at inspiring school-aged children from historically underrepresented groups to pursue a career in oral health. NAF, whose Promoting Oral Health Pathways program within their Academies of Health Sciences curriculum, introduces oral health as an exciting, viable career path for school-aged children. Through NAF’s KnoPro platform, students will work with experts in the field to build their oral health skills and awareness of career opportunities. Learn more??https://naf.org/

We are proud to support Diversity in Dentistry Mentorships, Inc., a 2024 awardee of the Delta Dental Oral Health Diversity Fund, the first national fund aimed at inspiring school-aged children from historically underrepresented groups to pursue a career in oral health. Diversity in Dentistry Mentorships, Inc., whose Diversify Dentistry Youth Summit aims to inspire students to envision themselves as future dentists by offering mentorships throughout their educational journey. By engaging underrepresented students early, the program hopes to cultivate a more equitable and accessible oral healthcare workforce, well equipped to serve the needs of underserved communities. Learn more??https://lnkd.in/g4VXvDUF