Summary: Delta Dental’s 2023 Community Impact Report highlights over $106 million invested in expanding access to care, advancing health equity, building resilient communities, and innovating for a healthier future, impacting 16 million lives.

Key Takeaways:

  • Delta Dental provided over 1.7 million dental screenings and exams, invested $14 million in community health programs, and supported disaster relief efforts.
  • The Delta Dental Institute, celebrating five years, has been pivotal in advancing oral health research, community outreach, and advocacy, ensuring Americans understand the link between oral and overall health.

The Delta Dental Institute released its 2023 Community Impact Report, revealing that 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.

Focus on Access, Equity, and Innovation

The investments supported programs focused on expanding access to care, advancing health equity, building resilient communities, and innovating for a healthier tomorrow. Over the last decade, Delta Dental has invested nearly $2 billion to support such programs in communities across the country.

“Since our founding 70 years ago, Delta Dental has been making meaningful investments in the health of our communities,” said James W. Hutchison, president and chief executive officer of Delta Dental Plans Association. “As the nation’s largest oral health philanthropist, community engagement is at the core of who we are and our mission to advance oral and overall health.”

Report Highlights

The report, “Our mission: your health,” issued annually, details the investments that Delta Dental companies, their foundations, and community partners made last year to positively impact oral and overall health.

Expanding Access to Care

Highlights include providing more than 1.7 million free or low-cost dental screenings and exams, distributing over 1.8 million oral health kits, and supplying nearly 200,000 students with free sealants. The company invested more than $14 million in community health and wellness programs.

Advancing Health Equity

Delta Dental invested over $21 million in training, education, and workforce development programs. The company launched the Driving Greater Diversity in the Oral Health Workforce campaign and invested $725,000 in the inaugural year of the Delta Dental Oral Health Diversity Fund to ensure the next generation of the oral health workforce better reflects the communities being served.

Building Resilient Communities

Last year, Delta Dental team members dedicated more than 30,000 hours to community service programs. The company distributed more than $1.4 million toward disaster relief and related activities, largely through its partnership with the American Red Cross, and its water filtration systems helped eliminate the use of over 1.3 million water bottles.

Innovating for a Healthier Tomorrow

Delta Dental partners with leading organizations and academic institutions on research to advance oral and overall health care. Last year, more than 2,700 physicians and oral health professionals participated in programs to apply medical-dental integration practices, supporting over 107,000 patients.

Celebrating Five Years of the Delta Dental Institute

Delta Dental also celebrated five years of the Delta Dental Institute, which was launched in 2019 to advance oral health for all Americans. The institute has led significant research, community outreach, and advocacy initiatives to ensure that everyone understands the connection between oral and overall health and has access to the care they need. According to Delta Dental, an overwhelming majority of Americans recognize oral health as a critical part of overall health, demonstrating the impact of their work and that of their community partners.