A note from the Executive Director

The first quarter of 2022 was marked by the recognition of National Fluoride Day (January 25, 2022), National Children's Dental Health Month (February), and World Oral Health Day (March 20, 2022), all of which are important opportunities to recognize the connection between oral and overall health. We invite you to explore the ways in which the Delta Dental Institute elevated new research, highlighted community impact, and engaged in advocacy efforts to advance oral and overall health.

Recently, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) published a new report, “Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges.” This report features new findings on America’s oral health and provides a roadmap on how to improve the nation’s oral health. Although the report acknowledges improvements in oral health in the past two decades, the gap in health equity has only grown, leaving many vulnerable communities without oral healthcare. Delta Dental is facing these challenges head-on. Learn more about how we are addressing the challenges that remain.

The Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation is focused on root-cause solutions to elevate the well-being of all Coloradans by advancing oral health equity, awarding more than $7 million to 38 organizations. The Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation's funding supports place-based access to quality oral health care, oral health prevention in early childhood, and increased diversity in the oral health care workforce. 

Through a $2 million gift from Delta Dental of Oklahoma and its foundation, the University of Oklahoma will soon open a new dental clinic on the OU-Tulsa Campus. This clinic will serve as a student learning center and will also provide dental care to community members in need of affordable services.

The Delta Dental Foundation supported the pediatric dentistry program at Atrium Health’s Levine Children’s Hospital by providing funding for critical equipment and supplies needed to offer routine and specialized dental care to children with complex medical needs or chronic health issues in North Carolina. 

SXSW 2022 highlights

The Delta Dental Institute was proud to serve as a featured partner at the world-renowned tech, film, and music festival SXSW in Austin, Texas, earlier this month. The Institute hosted a virtual booth highlighting our work to advance oral health for all Americans and engaged with other innovative organizations from across the globe through the festival's Online Expo.

At the Online Expo, the Institute virtually launched a new video to reinforce our commitment to ensuring everyone understands the importance of oral health to overall health and has access to the care they need. DDPA CEO Wells Hutchison and Chief Public Affairs Officer Jason Daughn were on the ground in Austin meeting industry leaders and attending sessions on improving health and expanding organizational impact.

• Delta Dental Community Care Foundation establishes $1 million scholarship endowment for Howard University dentistry students
• Nearly 9 in 10 U.S. adults agree maintaining oral health is essential overall health
• Tooth Fairy sets new record high for value of a lost tooth