Delta Dental's 2024 community investments expand mobile dentistry for older adults and veterans, support rural dental clinics, and strengthen oral health education for children. Together, these efforts are creating healthier communities and closing gaps in care.
We partner with clinics, community centers, and long-term care facilities to improve oral health and well-being for older adults.
We're helping close care gaps in rural communities through mobile clinics, school-based programs, and local partnerships.
We invest in veterans' oral health by partnering with nonprofits and health centers to provide free and reduced-cost care.
We're teaching kids lifelong oral health habits — starting in school.
"By investing in programs that expand access to oral health care for veterans, older adults, and rural populations, we're supporting the overall well-being of communities. We know that brushing and flossing regularly and routine dental visits can have a positive impact on many chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. We are proud to deliver oral health care to millions of Americans each year through community investments."
Delta Dental is helping build and support the future of the oral health care workforce through education programs, training, mentorships, and scholarships, exposing students to careers in oral health.
Delta Dental works with trusted organizations across the country to deliver care and provide support where it is needed most.
For decades, Delta Dental companies and their foundations have supported communities in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
In 2024, our community impact efforts focused on closing oral health care gaps for older adults, veterans, and rural communities while strengthening oral health education for children. Delta Dental is proud to be the nation's largest oral health philanthropist, having donated more than $2.3 billion over the last 15 years and $119.7 million in 2024.
$119.7million
Direct oral care
Oral health education and workforce development
Additional community support and engagement
Community health and wellness
Research and Innovation
Disaster relief
Direct vision care
"At Delta Dental, we know that oral health is an essential part of overall health and can be critical in managing and preventing chronic diseases. That's why, in 2024, we invested nearly $120 million in improving access to oral health, teaching lifelong oral health habits in schools, and training the next generation of the oral health workforce.
These efforts are made possible through strong community-level partnerships. Whether it's delivering mobile dental care to rural communities, supporting veterans with free and low-cost services, or helping older adults receive care in the settings where they live, Delta Dental companies, their foundations, and partners are committed to reaching people where they are."
Note: The data in this report is gathered from an annual survey conducted by Delta Dental Plans Association of all Delta Dental companies and their foundations, and covers the time period 1/1/2024 to 12/31/2024. Dollar amounts correspond to funds disbursed within that time period. Employee matching grants are included in the giving total. Lives impacted is defined as individuals in attendance at an activity/event and receiving educational information or who benefit from the program in the form of direct care or assistance.
Delta Dental supported the American Heart Association's Healthy Smiles, Healthy Hearts™ program, a national initiative that will expand care settings that deliver equitable, high-quality and integrated care. With a total commitment of $4 million in 2024, led by Delta Dental of California, this initiative will engage oral health clinicians to create and implement a new standard of care for heart health screening at the dentist's office. Additionally, the initiative will also educate health care professionals and patients on the link between heart health and oral health, emphasizing the importance of a patient's integrated health team in improving total health and well-being.
Delta Dental of New Mexico worked with the American Heart Association to support the “Life is Why” program, encouraging New Mexicans to exercise and eat heart-healthy food. Additionally, they participated in prominent events across the state to promote heart-healthy behaviors.
Delta Dental of Kentucky collaborated with the American Heart Association to assist patients with hypertension control by providing the community with increased access to blood pressure monitoring through the installation of a tabletop machine in clinic waiting rooms.
In 2024, Delta Dental companies and their foundations partnered with the American Red Cross and other local organizations by donating over $1.3 million to disaster relief efforts across the U.S., including urgent support and relief efforts for Hurricanes Helen and Milton, in addition to critical healthcare supplies. These investments help local communities stabilize, rebuild, and access essential resources when they need them most.
In collaboration with the American Red Cross, Delta Dental sponsored blood drives that collected 188 units of blood, enough to save over 560 lives.
"Our collaboration with the American Heart Association marks a pivotal step towards strengthening access to quality, integrated care and emphasizes the role of dental visits as part of a holistic health check which can offer early detection of cardiovascular disease and other conditions."
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Delta Dental is proud to have awarded $980,000 in 2024 to six outstanding organizations to support the future of the oral health workforce. The awardees — American Dental Education Association, Diversity in Dentistry Mentorships, Inc., NAF, National Dental Association, Planet Smilez, Inc., and the Society of American Indian Dentists — are engaging and inspiring school-aged children to explore purpose-driven careers in oral health. These programs pave the way for a new generation of oral health professionals by providing students with mentorship, educational resources, and immersive experiences.
Older adults face the highest risk for poor oral health; nearly 70% have gum disease, and nearly 1 in 5 live with untreated cavities. Yet, 80% of older adults don't visit the dentist as often as recommended. Visiting the dentist matters: Poor oral health is linked to chronic conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and Alzheimer's.
Delta Dental is dedicated to ensuring that older adults have access to high-quality oral health care. Our companies and foundations work closely with local partners to provide direct oral care and develop programs to support the oral and overall health of older adults.
Learn more below about how we are making a difference in our local communities.
"After retirement, I lost my dental insurance and couldn't afford care. Now, at 93, getting to a clinic is very difficult, so I'm thrilled the mobile unit is coming to my neighborhood."
Nearly 25 million Americans live in 'dental deserts,' areas with too few dentists to meet demand. These shortages are especially common in rural communities, affecting 95% of rural counties. The result: delayed treatment and worsening oral health outcomes.
In 2024, Delta Dental delivered more than 1.2 million free or low-cost dental screenings and exams through mobile clinics, school sealant programs, and grants, helping close gaps in care by meeting people where they live.
Find out below how we are creating positive impacts close to home.
"As a small network of community health centers in southern West Virginia Cabin Creek Health Systems works diligently to increase access to affordable oral health care for our rural patient population. Our partnership with the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation (DDCCF) provides funding support to help offset providing services to our low-income and elderly patients below the cost of our supplies and materials. Without the generosity of DDCCF we would not be able to continue to offer these much-needed dental services."
Of the nearly 9 million veterans who are eligible for medical care through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, just 6% receive dental coverage through the VA. The lack of infrastructure and coverage often results in a poorer quality of life and disparate oral and overall health outcomes for veterans.
In 2024, Delta Dental companies supported 35 initiatives that served veterans. Through partnerships with state agencies, community health centers, and nonprofits, we have funded programs that provide free or low-cost dental services to veterans, including those who are low-income, experiencing homelessness, or medically vulnerable.
Read below to discover how we are helping veterans access the care they need.
"I've waited so long to find this type of care,” said Miuccio, who received a dental cleaning, x-rays, and two tooth extractions. I'm very grateful to have been connected to Delta Dental of New Jersey & Connecticut and Zufall and to be here today."
Preventive dental care and good habits at home are essential to good overall health, especially for children. Due to dental caries and other oral health challenges, children, on average, miss more than 51 million hours of school per year. Addressing oral health through education is not merely a dental concern; it is critical in ensuring a child's development and future success.
Delta Dental invested $8 million in oral health education programs in 2024, impacting 7 million lives. Our focus: closing a critical gap in oral health education, a key driver of poor health outcomes in children. We have also invested $3.5 million in school sealant programs, providing preventive care to more than 165,000 children.
"Thank you a million times over for providing such lovely care for our students here at Shadow Butte Elementary. With almost 50% of our families living below the poverty level, you can imagine that dental care is oftentimes not the first priority for our families. Thank you for helping to fill this gap. I would also like to give a huge shout-out to the professional that you sent our way. They were a pleasure to work with and were extremely kind to our students. We appreciate them and the opportunity that you provided for our students."
