Delta Dental
Launched in 2023, the Delta Dental Future Workforce Fund invests up to $1 million annually in comprehensive solutions, innovative pilots, and scalable models that inspire school-aged children from a variety of backgrounds and experiences to pursue careers in oral health.
Pathways to Smiles inspires future oral health professionals through an interactive, hands-on curriculum in partnership with Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) throughout the country. The program engages students by highlighting the importance of oral health’s connection to overall health and providing a clear understanding of the academic pathway into the oral health professions.
The program aims to serve communities and regions with limited access to oral health education, with the potential to significantly impact oral health equity and expand the workforce nationwide.
Pathways to Smiles strives to break down barriers to education, ensuring that students from all backgrounds can pursue careers in oral health.
Hygienist Inspired is a multiyear initiative created in partnership between the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) and Delta Dental to expand the dental hygiene profession through chairside recruitment and community outreach. The program leverages the expertise of dental hygienists and the strength of their patient relationships to inspire new career opportunities — particularly within communities currently underrepresented in the profession.
This collaborative effort will strengthen the dental hygiene workforce by encouraging more individuals to pursue the field, while also addressing disparities in representation.
Hygienist Inspired seeks to create a more inclusive future for oral health by opening pathways for talent and ensuring that the profession reflects the communities it serves.
Building our Leaders in Dentistry (BOLD) is a pre-dental school mentorship program designed to introduce dentistry as a career option and to help influence more underrepresented minorities to enter the profession.
Outreach presentations, workshops, and hands-on sessions will be geared toward Head Start/elementary and high school/undergraduate students.
Mentorship in Dentistry (MIND) advances the oral health profession through intentional mentorship and early exposure. The program inspires school-aged and pre-dental students to pursue careers in oral health, while also engaging dental professionals in mentorship and leadership opportunities that reignite their passion for dentistry and service.
The MIND Summit Youth Summit is a one-day immersive experience that introduces middle and high school students to oral health careers through hands-on activities and meaningful connections with dental students and community dentists. The event culminates in a symbolic White Coat Ceremony, encouraging mentees to envision themselves as future oral health professionals.
With a ready-to-use toolkit, dental institutions can bring the MIND model to their local communities—expanding access to oral health careers, strengthening pathways for future professionals, and creating lasting impact through mentorship.
Mentorships in Dentistry In Action
2024 Dentistry Youth Summit at the University of Missouri Kansas City >> Watch video recap
2024 Dentistry Youth Summit at Midwestern College of Dental Medicine >> Watch video recap
2024 Dentistry Youth Summit at Midwestern College of Dental Medicine >> Watch testimonial
2024 Dentistry Youth Summit at UCLA >> Watch video recap | >> Watch testimonial
Dr. Laila Hishaw, Founder & President, featured in Dental Entrepreneur Woman Magazine >> Read article
Telling the Story of a Path to Dentistry connects American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) dentists with AI/AN youth to increase awareness of dentistry as a career path. Through mentorship and resources, the program supports students on their journey, while working toward greater AI/AN representation in the dental profession.
This initiative seeks to reduce barriers to oral health care across Tribal Nations by inspiring the next generation of AI/AN dental professionals.
Outreach efforts will include classroom presentations (in-person and virtual), AI/AN-focused conferences, high school career events, and a targeted social media campaign, ensuring multiple touchpoints to engage and empower students.
