QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
June 2023
| |
A note from the Executive Director
Since the launch of DDI in June 2019, it is hard to believe how quickly time has passed and how much we have accomplished. We set out to shine a new spotlight on oral health by partnering in research, community impact, and advocacy. We are proud of the evidence-based research that has been featured in Health Affairs, the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Health Forum, and the American Public Health Association; the increased engagement in our communities impacting more than 20 million lives in 2022; and our continued advocacy to elevate oral health in the overall health conversation at a national and local level. As we celebrate these milestones, we are grateful for the amazing partners who have accompanied us on this journey and look forward to the many great things yet to come!
| | |
|
New Delta Dental report reveals U.S. adults recognize the importance of oral health to overall well-being
In May, Delta Dental released its 2023 State of America’s Oral Health and Wellness Report, a nationwide analysis of consumer opinions and behaviors relating to oral health. The report shows that oral health knowledge and habits vary across generational groups, despite a strong understanding of the critical connection between oral health and overall health.
| |
Introducing the Delta Dental 2022 Community Impact Report | Earlier this month, DDI released its 2022 Community Impact Report, “Our mission: your health.” Last year, Delta Dental invested nearly $109 million to support programs, research, and advocacy that positively impacted over 20 million lives. | | | |
Delta Dental of Iowa: Maintaining oral health through pregnancy
| Delta Dental of Iowa supported the expansion of Healthy Birth Day, Inc., to increase awareness of the connection between good oral health habits during pregnancy and improved maternal health and birth outcomes. This expanded outreach specifically focused on expectant mothers most at risk of losing a baby, including women of color, refugees, lower-income individuals, and teenagers. | |
|
Delta Dental of Kentucky: Supporting health equity through a mobile dental program
| Delta Dental of Kentucky launched a mobile dental unit program, Smiles Across the Commonwealth, to improve the oral health of all Kentuckians by providing necessary dental services to underserved communities throughout the state. The two-operatory mobile dental unit is fully equipped to provide dental exams, x-rays, cleanings, fillings, extractions, fluoride varnish, and sealants. In partnership with dental clinics and schools across the state, Smiles Across the Commonwealth hosted more than 25 mobile dental clinics in 2022, providing no-cost care to underserved individuals of all ages and backgrounds. | |
|
Northeast Delta Dental: Promoting good oral health practices | The Northeast Delta Dental Foundation supported grants for community outreach and education efforts at Battenkill Valley Health Center. Through local partnerships, oral health tools and resources are distributed annually in schools, at childcare centers, and through dozens of community events. More than 2,500 oral health kits have been distributed to children and adults each year. | |
|
|
DDI issues letter to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee’s Subcommittee on Health Care on the importance of addressing disparities in oral health
In April, DDI submitted a statement for the record to the U.S. Senate Finance Committee’s Subcommittee on Health Care in response to its March 29, 2023 hearing entitled, “An Oral Health Crisis: Identifying and Addressing Health Disparities.” In the comment letter, DDI focused on prioritizing oral health, oral health literacy, and diversity in the oral health workforce, as well as emphasized oral health's integral role in overall health and ensuring everyone has access to the high-quality dental care they need.
| | | |
|
Addressing dental fear and anxiety to improve oral health outcomes
Hear from Dr. Mark Wolff, Morton Amsterdam Dean, University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, as he shares the importance of addressing dental fear and anxiety and how providers can help create a more comfortable and positive patient experience. Read more
| |
|
Campaign update: Driving Greater Diversity in the Oral Health Workforce
In March, DDI launched a new campaign, Driving Greater Diversity in the Oral Health Workforce, to help increase the number of oral health professionals from historically underrepresented groups. Below is a summary of current initiatives.
- In June, DDI was proud to support the annual meetings of the Hispanic Dental Association and the Society of American Indian Dentists (SAID) as part of our ongoing commitment to diversifying the oral health workforce. At the SAID meeting, DDI hosted a panel discussion on addressing oral health inequities through policy. In July, DDI will participate in the National Dental Association conference.
-
As highlighted in the recently launched 2022 Community Impact Report, Delta Dental continued its support of oral health education by investing an additional $21 million in college and university programs, increasing the total investment to nearly $70 million over the past five years. Additionally, in 2022, more than 182,000 people received support from Delta Dental through scholarships, grants, and other workforce development opportunities.
-
With the goal of making dental education more accessible, helping to diversify the dental profession, and improving health equity, the Delta Dental Foundation, an affiliate of Delta Dental of Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and North Carolina, established a new $25,000 Diversity Dental Scholarship. These annual scholarships are given to students from a systemically disadvantaged racial and ethnic background entering dental school. Learn more
-
Later this year, DDI will announce the inaugural winners of the Delta Dental Oral Health Diversity Fund. Established in 2023, the Fund will make targeted investments of up to $1 million in comprehensive solutions, innovative pilots, and scalable models that inspire school-aged children from historically underrepresented groups to pursue a career in oral health. Learn more
To learn more about DDI’s campaign, Driving Greater Diversity in the Oral Health Workforce, click here.
| |
|
Adults continue to understand the critical connection between oral health and overall health
However, there are generational knowledge gaps, as Gen Z trails Millennials, Gen X, and Boomers in acknowledging that maintaining good oral health is crucial for living a healthier life.
| |
Source: Delta Dental’s 2023 State of America’s Oral Health and Wellness Report | | |
Stay connected to the Delta Dental Institute |
| | | |
