>>> Newsletter Highlights | |
>>> Driving Greater Diversity in the Oral Health Workforce | |
Campaign update: Driving Greater Diversity in the Oral Health Workforce
DDI’s Driving Greater Diversity in the Oral Health Workforce campaign aims to help increase the number of oral health professionals from historically underrepresented groups. Below is a summary of current initiatives:
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As part of its continued campaign to drive greater diversity in the oral health workforce, DDI sponsored the “Journal of the Hispanic Dental Association’s” June issue, Workforce: Challenges and Opportunities, Volume 3, Issue 1. Additionally, DDI was proud to support the 10th-anniversary issue of “Diversity in Action” magazine to drive continued awareness of careers in oral health.
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Joseph Dill, DDS, MBA, Head of Dental Science at DDI and Chief Dental Officer at Delta Dental Plans Association (DDPA), was appointed to NAF’s STEM Advisory Committee.
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Lindsey Dixon, Vice President of Product & Innovation at NAF, was a guest author for DDI’s Expert Voices Blog to discuss NAF’s innovative approach to oral health education.
- In June, DDI was proud to support the annual meetings of the Hispanic Dental Association and the Society of American Indian Dentists as part of our ongoing commitment to diversifying the oral health workforce. In July, DDI will present at the NAF Next 2024 Conference.
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Later this year, DDI will announce the 2024 Delta Dental Oral Health Diversity Fund awardees. Learn more
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Diversity in Dentistry Mentorships hosts Youth Summit at the University of Missouri Kansas City
In April, Diversity in Dentistry Mentorships, one of the inaugural awardees of the Delta Dental Oral Health Diversity Fund, hosted a “Youth Summit” at the University of Missouri Kansas City. The Diversify Dentistry Youth Summit™ aims to inspire high school students from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds to consider a career in dentistry.
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The 2024 Delta Dental State of America’s Oral Health and Wellness Report
In May, Delta Dental released its 2024 State of America’s Oral Health and Wellness Report, a nationwide analysis of consumer opinions and behaviors relating to oral health. The report reveals a strong consumer understanding of oral health’s vital role in overall wellness, with an overwhelming majority of adults (91%) believing that their dental visit is as important as an annual physical.
>>> Read the report
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Applications are now available for the 2025 AADOCR Delta Dental Institute Oral Health Equity Research Award
The American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) and DDI are now accepting applications for the third annual AADOCR DDI Oral Health Equity Research Award. This award supports research that advances recommendations for greater oral health equity in populations that lack access to dental care or improves oral health literacy for underserved populations. Two $25,000 awards will be conferred—one in each research area. The application window is open until October 1, 2024.
>>> Learn more
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Announcing the 2023 Delta Dental Community Impact Report
Earlier this month, DDI released its 2023 Community Impact Report, “Our mission: your health.” Last year, Delta Dental invested over $106 million to support programs in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, impacting over 16 million lives.
>>> Read the report
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Delta Dental of the District of Columbia
Supporting Oral Health Care and the Future of Dentistry
Delta Dental of the District of Columbia, in partnership with the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation, continued its long support of Howard University’s College of Dentistry, a top Historically Black College and University that has trained thousands of highly skilled dental professionals to serve their communities, focusing on underserved populations. Since 2012, the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation has contributed nearly $3.5 million to help support the university through various initiatives, scholarships, and the Senior Oral Health Partnership program.
>>> Learn more
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Delta Dental of Ohio
Creating new experiences for dental students
Delta Dental of Ohio supported conference scholarships to get students out of the classroom and into the venues where they can learn more about public health dentistry, caring for people with disabilities, and the high costs often associated with that care. Funding from the Delta Dental Foundation provided grants to send dental students from select groups in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio to conferences that teach them how to provide care that meets patients' comfort levels, abilities, and situations across the lifespan.
>>> Learn more
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Delta Dental of Virginia
Advancing Equitable Health Outcomes
The Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation is a founding partner of a school-based oral health initiative that supports equitable health outcomes by reducing barriers to care, such as transportation or navigating the demanding schedules of working parents. To date, 11 clinics have introduced oral health programs to 100 schools and 11 Head Start programs in Virginia. Participants receive training to build a program infrastructure supported by technical assistance to ensure the program meets the needs of the students and community, learn the capabilities of quality improvement tools, receive funding for infrastructure and equipment, and have a forum to discuss program successes and challenges.
>>> Learn more
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The overall healthcare jobs forecast looks bright — but what about the oral health workforce?
James W. Hutchison, DDPA’s President and CEO, examines the many needs that must be met to create a more sustainable health care workforce of the future, particularly in the oral health professions.
>>> Read more
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DDI at Milken Institute’s Global Conference
In May, Jason Daughn, DDPA’s Chief Public Affairs Officer, attended the Milken Institute’s Global Conference in Los Angeles. The conference’s panel discussions were of high value, and the caliber of speakers was exceptional. Many thanks to our partners at the Milken Institute for a great conference. DDI will once again be a sponsor of the Milken Institute’s Future of Health Summit in Washington, D.C., in November.
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