>>> Newsletter Highlights | |
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Delta Dental Oral Health Diversity Fund now accepting applications: The Delta Dental Oral Health Diversity Fund is once again accepting applications from programs focused on inspiring school-aged children from historically underrepresented groups to explore careers in oral health.
New research from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics: New research, sponsored by the Delta Dental Institute (DDI), finds caregivers of people living with dementia experienced greater confidence in providing oral hygiene care through the use of a new mobile app.
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>>> Driving Greater Diversity in the Oral Health Workforce | |
DDI makes up to $1 million available to drive greater diversity in the oral health workforce
On March 20, World Oral Health Day, DDI continued its commitment to diversifying the oral health workforce and promoting health equity by announcing its Oral Health Diversity Fund is once again accepting applications.
This industry-leading fund invests up to $1 million annually in comprehensive solutions, innovative pilots, and scalable models that inspire school-aged children from historically underrepresented groups to pursue careers in oral health.
This year, the Oral Health Diversity Fund's application period is open from March 20 to May 31 at 5:00 PM ET.
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Those interested in applying to the Delta Dental Oral Health Diversity Fund can visit deltadentalinstitute.com/fund.
- Eligible applicants must be based in the United States, and may include 501(c)(3) organizations, private businesses, or limited or general partnerships.
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Information about last year’s Delta Dental Oral Health Diversity Fund awardees can be found here.
>>> Apply today
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2024 recipients of the AADOCR DDI Oral Health Equity Research Award announced
The American Association for Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Research (AADOCR) and DDI are proud to name Marvellous Akinlotan, PhD, Clinical Assistant Professor at Texas A&M University and Jason Semprini, PhD, Postdoctoral Scholar in the College of Public Health at the University of Iowa, as the 2024 recipients of the AADOCR DDI Oral Health Equity Research Award.
Each awardee will receive $25,000 to support their research, a summary of which is featured below:
- Dr. Akinlotan will conduct research on the expansion of Medicaid dental benefits and its impact on emergency dental visits in both rural and urban areas and develop an understanding of the role that social determinants of health play in accessing care.
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Dr. Semprini will pursue research that evaluates the effect of Medicaid dental service access on oral cancer treatment and outcomes and aims to provide evidence on the importance of dental health services in cancer care.
>>> Learn more
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University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics research finds new app supports improved care for persons living with dementia
Caregivers of people living with dementia reported a significant increase in their knowledge, skills, and a more positive attitude in delivering oral hygiene care, leading to higher confidence in providing care, through the use of a mobile application, according to new research from the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics and the University of Iowa College of Public Health, led by Leonardo Marchini, DDS, MSD, PhD.
>>> Read the study
>>> Download the app
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New research from Delta Dental underscores the importance of preventive dental care and its essential role in achieving optimal overall health
New research from Delta Dental underscores the importance of preventive dental care and the essential role it can play in decreasing the occurrence of serious oral disease, improving other health problems, reducing disparities, and lowering health care costs. The Preventive Dental Care Study uses oral health care measures to assess whether commercially insured members are getting recommended evidence-based preventive dental care.
>>> Read the study
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Delta Dental of Arizona
Advancing oral health education
The Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation partnered with Arizona PBS to launch the “Have A Healthy Smile” campaign. The oral health campaign included 12 events in low-income, rural Arizona communities to educate children and provide dental screenings and fluoride varnish treatments from local dentists. Three PSAs on oral hygiene run on local PBS stations, and a new website, healthysmilelearning.org, offers educators and parents oral health lessons, activities, experiments, and links to other curricula and programs at no cost.
>>> Learn more
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Delta Dental of Colorado
Supporting the oral health workforce
Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation made a historic investment into developing and diversifying the Colorado oral health workforce. Through nearly $5 million in grants, three new dental hygiene schools will be built at Pikes Peak State College, Front Range Community College, and Colorado Mountain College, and the existing dental hygiene program at Denver Community College will be expanded. The investment will double the state’s capacity to train dental hygienists by adding 75 seats for students. Each program has set diversity goals to ensure that future graduates represent the state’s demographics.
>>> Learn more
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Delta Dental of Washington & Arcora Foundation
Expanding access to oral health care
Arcora — the foundation of Delta Dental of Washington — has invested more than $19 million (2017-2023) in grants to support oral health initiatives across the state. A projected 140,000 additional patient visits resulted from this funding. In 2023, International Community Health Services ($180,000) in King County and the Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe’s health center ($142,000) in Kitsap County received capital grants to connect more people to dental care where and when they need it.
>>> Learn more
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Evaluating the patient experience: CAHPS® survey tool provides unique insights into patient care
It is well understood that patients who have positive experiences in accessing health care also have improved health outcomes. That’s why in 2018, Delta Dental became the first and only commercial dental carrier to adopt the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) Dental Plan Survey to learn about patients’ oral health care experiences. Hear from Joseph Dill, DDS, MBA, Head of Dental Science, DDI, as he explores the unique insights the CAHPS tool provides on various aspects of patient care.
>>> Read more
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New Mexico can achieve better health through oral health
Hear Lou Volk, President and CEO, Delta Dental of New Mexico, and Joseph Dill, DDS, MBA, Head of Dental Science, DDI, as they share their perspectives on the importance of increasing access to oral health care to achieve better health.
>>> Read more
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