At Delta Dental, our mission is your health. As the nation's largest oral health philanthropist, we invest in the oral and overall health of our communities.
2023 Community Impact Report
Delta Dental elevates health and wellness by expanding access to care, advancing health equity, building resilient communities, and innovating for a healthier tomorrow.
Our impact in 2023
16.2
million lives impacted
$106.6
million invested
30,000
hours volunteered
Our 2023 impact by state: Illinois
Illinois State Impact
invested
lives impacted
Illinois Featured Programs
Illinois Impact Leadership
At Delta Dental, our mission is your health
As the nation's oral health leader, for over 70 years we've worked to elevate the oral and overall health of all Americans.
Expanding access to care
As the nation's largest dental benefits provider, we help ensure everyone has an opportunity to access oral health care.
Advancing health equity
We invest in oral health programs that promote the health and wellness of the communities we serve.
Building resilient communities
We're focused on supporting the communities in which we live, work, and play.
Innovating for a healthier tomorrow
We are dedicated to finding meaningful solutions to advance the future of oral and overall health.
Delta Dental Institute: Celebrating five years
In 2019, we launched the Delta Dental Institute to put a new spotlight on oral health and it's integral relationship to overall health.
Delta Dental Institute launches Driving Greater Diversity in the Oral Health Workforce campaign
This campaign helps advance a more diverse oral health workforce by establishing the first oral health diversity fund and by supporting workforce initiatives in oral health education, research, and community investment.
Over $1 million to the American Red Cross
Delta Dental supports the American Red Cross as it responds to emergencies and moments of need in our communities, with over $1 million in investments in 2023.
Our impact in 2023
As the nation's largest oral health philanthropist, Delta Dental companies and their foundations support communities in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
2023 by the numbers
For over 70 years, Delta Dental has worked to advance the oral and overall health of all Americans. Through our national network of Delta Dental companies, we provide local support in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
Total Invested
$106.6 million
$52,900,000
Direct oral care
$21,500,000
Oral health education and workforce development
$2,900,000
Research and Innovation
$1,500,000
Disaster relief
$14,300,000
Community health and wellness
$13,500,000
Additional community support and engagement
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 1/1/2023 to 12/31/2023. 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.
$725,000
awarded by the Oral Health Diversity Fund
$1
million donated to the American Red Cross
1.7
million free or low-cost dental screenings and exams
1.8
million oral health kits distributed
190,000
students treated through school sealant programs
3,000
providers trained to provide dental care for patients with special needs
1.3
million 20 oz. plastic water bottles eliminated
107,000
patients supported through medical-dental integration practices
~$2
billion invested in communities over the last 10 years
Delta Dental Institute: Celebrating five years
In 2019, we launched the Delta Dental Institute to transform the nation's understanding of oral health's integral relationship to overall health.
James W. Hutchison
President & CEO
Delta Dental Plans Association
A message from James W. Hutchison, President & CEO, Delta Dental Plans Association
In 2019, we launched the Delta Dental Institute to shine a brighter spotlight on the connection between oral health and overall health by engaging in research, community outreach, and advocacy designed to ensure that everyone understands this important connection and has access to the care they need.
Since then, we have seen substantial policy and societal transformations showing that our work, and that of our fellow travelers, is making a difference. For example, in 2021, for the first time, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services appointed a chief dental officer. During the COVID-19 pandemic, oral health providers were included along with medical providers in emergency legislation to help them stay open and continue providing care to American families. Today, oral health is routinely recognized as a critical part of overall health – by both federal and state legislators and an overwhelming majority of Americans.
This year, we are proud to publish our fifth annual national community impact report, which comprehensively describes the deep community engagement and investments being made by the Delta Dental companies and their foundations to improve oral health, prevent dental disease, and expand access to care. We are continually evolving to meet the diverse needs of those we serve, and have created national partnerships with impactful organizations, including the American Red Cross and PBS Kids, to support communities experiencing national disasters and expand oral health education and literacy for our young people.
While five years of national reporting is a great thing, Delta Dental has been investing in the health of our communities since our founding 70 years ago. Community engagement is at the core of who we are and our mission to advance oral and overall health.
95
million lives impacted
$1.6
billion invested
111,000
hours volunteered
Delta Dental companies and foundations invested more than $106 million in our communities, impacted 16.2 million lives, and contributed more than 30,000 volunteer hours.
Advancing the next generation of oral health professionals
As part of its Driving Greater Diversity in the Oral Health Workforce campaign, the Delta Dental Institute announced the inaugural awardees of the Delta Dental Oral Health Diversity Fund, the first national investment fund focused on ensuring more school-aged children from historically underrepresented groups consider careers in oral health. The four awardees are: Diversity in Dentistry Mentorships, the Hispanic Dental Association, NAF, and the Society of American Indian Dentists.
Expanding access to dental care
To elevate the oral and overall health of the communities we serve, in 2023, we invested nearly $53 million to expand access to oral health care. Through mobile dental clinics, school sealant programs, and grants supporting dental care for vulnerable populations, we provided more than 1.7 million free or low-cost dental screenings and exams.
Delta Dental companies and foundations invested more than $108 million in our communities, impacted 20.4 million lives, and contributed over 24,000 volunteer hours.
Inclusive care for patients in need
Adults and children with complex medical conditions can face additional barriers to receiving oral health care, needing longer and more frequent dental appointments, and the dental team requires specific training to treat these individuals. Many Delta Dental companies offer expanded benefits to provide comprehensive coverage for patients with physical and intellectual disabilities and, in partnership with Penn Dental Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, we support free continuing education and professional development courses for providers on treating patients with disabilities.
Advancing patient-centered care
Many people with poor oral health face barriers because dental care is separate from other health services. That's why we are investigating care delivery models that improve health outcomes. In 2022, the Delta Dental Institute sponsored research from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, which found that increased communication and coordination between medical and dental providers improves outcomes, particularly among vulnerable populations.
Delta Dental companies and foundations invested more than $106 million in our communities, impacted 21.3 million lives, and contributed over 17,000 volunteer hours.
Building a more diverse workforce
Research shows patients feel more trusting of health care providers who share their race or ethnicity. To help ensure that the next generation of oral health care workers reflects the diversity of our communities, Delta Dental invested in workforce development, supporting the future careers of over 147,000 people, many from minority populations.
Addressing social determinants of health
Over 10% of people in the U.S. lack access to the food they need to live active, healthy lives. Delta Dental addressed this need by supporting food drives and banks, supplying 17 million meals, as well as programs that address food insecurity and initiatives to address food waste.
Delta Dental companies and foundations invested more than $102.5 million in our communities, impacted 24.7 million lives, and contributed over 20,000 volunteer hours.
Supporting communities through the COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic placed an extraordinary burden on communities across the country. To keep our promise to serve their oral and overall health, the Delta Dental companies across the country committed $1.1 billion in COVID-19 relief to support our communities. Delta Dental also provided low or no-interest loans to safety-net clinics and dentists experiencing funding gaps, ensuring they could continue meeting the oral health needs of their communities.
Dental treatment programs
Dental treatment programs served more than 2 million people, focused on low-income communities. Each year, untreated, often preventable, oral diseases send 2.1 million Americans to the emergency room for costly visits that do not address underlying diseases. Delta Dental invested in more than 600 dental treatment programs, including safety-net clinics.
Delta Dental companies and foundations invested more than $76.3 million in our communities, impacted 12.8 million lives, and contributed more than 17,000 volunteer hours.
Expanding access to oral health care
More than 56 million Americans live in federally-designated dental health professional shortage areas, meaning the needs of the community exceed the capacity of local oral health professionals. Delta Dental funded nearly $1.5 million for mobile dental clinics, helping tens of thousands of people live in rural or underserved areas.
Improving oral health education
Delta Dental companies and their foundations donated more than $10.5 million to programs addressing oral health education, teaching Americans of all ages about good oral health and providing scholarships and training to the next generation of the dental workforce.
American Red Cross
Delta Dental invested over $1 million to support our communities
We're proud of our ongoing partnership with the American Red Cross, which provides critical aid to the communities where we live, work, and play. Investments from Delta Dental companies and their foundations help support blood donation drives, CPR and AED trainings, disaster relief efforts, and services for military personnel and veterans. This work also allows us to care for our communities through challenging times and when disaster strikes.
"We are grateful for Delta Dental's multi-faceted partnership with the American Red Cross, which spans more than 30 years! Their commitment allows the Red Cross to have vital resources in place before disaster strikes. In 2023, Delta Dental hosted eight blood drives and donated more than $100,000 in workplace and matching giving. We look forward to recognizing Delta Dental as the Red Cross Philanthropic Company of the Year in 2024."
Driving Greater Diversity in the Oral Health Workforce campaign
We support workforce initiatives that address the needs of our communities.
Racial and ethnic diversity among health professionals is linked to improved outcomes and greater health equity, however, the current oral health workforce does not reflect the changing demographics of the U.S. population. As the nation's oral health leader, Delta Dental embraces the opportunity to address the needs of the communities we serve and to contribute to more equitable health outcomes, which is why we launched the Driving Greater Diversity in the Oral Health Workforce campaign. This effort helps advance a more diverse oral health workforce by establishing the first oral health diversity fund and by supporting initiatives in oral health education, research, and community investment.
Delta Dental Oral Health Diversity Fund
Launched in 2023, the Delta Dental Oral Health Diversity 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 a career in oral health.
Our inaugural awardees were Diversity in Dentistry Mentorships, the Hispanic Dental Association, NAF, and the Society of American Indian Dentists, whose programs address the barriers that historically underrepresented groups often face in seeking careers in oral health. Our investments expand opportunities for school-aged children from diverse communities to learn about oral health professions and ensure that the next generation of the oral health workforce better reflects the diverse needs of the communities they serve.
"The Society of American Indian Dentists' Telling Our Story project is driven by our vision to increase Indigenous representation in the dental profession, thereby reducing barriers to access to oral health care in all Tribal Nations. We are grateful to the Delta Dental Institute for recognizing the importance of helping to build the dental workforce in communities like ours, because good oral health is a cornerstone of overall health."
As the nation's largest dental benefits provider, we advance health and wellness.
Delta Dental partners with schools, communities, and other organizations to offer free or low-cost dental treatment and preventive care. To elevate the overall health of the communities we serve, we invested more than $14 million in community health and wellness programs.
Direct oral care
Total Invested
$52.9 million
$42,700,000
Dental treatment
$5,640,000
Other dental prevention
$2,980,000
Dental prevention: school sealant programs
$1,600,000
Dental prevention: community water fluoridation
1.7
million free or low-cost dental screenings and exams
190,000
students treated through school sealant programs
Delta Dental supports programs that bring affordable, high-quality oral health care to hard-to-reach communities. Through mobile dental clinics, school sealant programs, and grants supporting dental care for vulnerable populations, we provided more than 1.7 million free or low-cost dental screenings and exams in 2023.
Access to dental care for patients with special needs often requires extra provider training and more time for appointments and procedures. In 2023, nearly 3,000 providers participated in free training programs, sponsored by Delta Dental, to provide high-quality dental care for patients with special needs. Many Delta Dental companies also offer expanded benefits to provide comprehensive coverage to patients with physical and intellectual disabilities.
At the federal and state levels, we advocate for policies that increase access to oral care and dental benefits for Medicaid patients, expand access to dental care for underserved populations more broadly, and improve dental health outcomes.
"We learned so much from our visit to New York University (NYU) and feel that our team is much more comfortable and confident in providing care to individuals with special health care needs. We also incorporated some of the neat things we saw when we visited NYU, all to make the dental visit a safe and quality experience for the patients and the families we are caring for."
Through education, policy, and workforce efforts, we are ensuring more equitable care.
Delta Dental invested over $21 million in oral health education, training, and workforce development programs that elevate the health and wellness of the communities we serve.
$6.6
million invested in oral health education programs
$14.3
million invested in dental workforce programs
$725,000
awarded by the Oral Health Diversity Fund
1.8
million oral health kits distributed
Research shows that racial and ethnic diversity among health professionals is linked to improved patient outcomes. In 2023, the Delta Dental Institute launched the Driving Greater Diversity in the Oral Health Workforce campaign to help increase the number of oral health professionals from historically underrepresented groups. This effort helps advance a more diverse oral health workforce by establishing the first oral health diversity fund and by supporting initiatives in oral health education, research, and community investment.
In partnership with schools and other community-based organizations, Delta Dental creates oral health hygiene education programs to increase oral health literacy. The Healthy Smile Learning program, developed alongside PBS Kids, serves as a resource site for educators, parents, and children nationwide to build healthy dental habits. In 2023, over 1.8 million oral health kits were distributed in our communities to improve oral hygiene and overall health outcomes.
We advocate at the federal and state levels for policies that support community water fluoridation, promote oral health literacy and education, increase access to oral health care for older adults, and improve the diversity and strength of the oral health workforce.
"Sharing Delta Dental's PSAs on oral health aligns beautifully with our mission to educate and inform our audience — especially families with young children. And, utilizing the power of public television is a great way to spread that information. We are proud to partner with Delta Dental to keep our community healthy."
Delta Dental provides critical aid to support our communities.
We help ensure the communities where we live, work, and play remain strong, vibrant, and resilient.
$1+
million donated to the American Red Cross
1.3
million 20 oz. plastic water bottles eliminated
30,000
hours volunteered
In 2023, Delta Dental team members dedicated more than 30,000 hours toward volunteering in communities across the country. They prepared meals at food banks, supported schools and education programs, assisted older adults and veterans in need, and donated to local organizations.
Natural disasters continue to change the face of our communities, and in these moments, our impact goes beyond just health. Last year we distributed over $1.4 million toward disaster relief and related activities, responding to devastating wildfires, floods, tornadoes, and other severe weather events.
Delta Dental invests in sustainable solutions for oral health that promote environmentally conscious habits and reduce waste, from distributing recyclable bamboo toothbrushes to providing paperless benefit options. In 2023, our water bottle filling stations helped eliminate the use of over 1.3 million 20 oz. water bottles, and we supported nearly 300 schools nationwide.
"Delta Dental of Illinois and the H2O on the Go program have significantly benefited our school community. Because of the filtered water bottle station, children and their parents were able to fill their water bottles throughout the day. This usage led to a huge decrease in plastic water bottle waste!"
We are dedicated to research and innovation.
Delta Dental invested more than $2 million to support research focused on producing data-driven insights and actionable solutions to help advance the future of oral and overall health care and improve outcomes.
Research categories
Total Invested
$2.1million
39%
Access to care
15%
Medical-dental integration
15%
Reducing overall health care costs
15%
Reducing health disparities
8%
Innovation or technology
8%
Other
107,000
patients supported through medical-dental integration practices
2,700
physicians and oral health providers participating in medical-dental integration programs
We invest in research focused on identifying opportunities to increase access, improve care delivery, reduce costs, and minimize health disparities. In a study sponsored by the Delta Dental Institute and published in JAMA Health Forum, researchers from the Harvard School of Dental Medicine found that expanding the dental workforce through the National Health Service Corps may reduce dental caries and improve oral health equity.
In 2023, we announced the inaugural recipients of the AADOCR Delta Dental Institute Oral Health Equity Research Award. Two $25,000 awards were made to researchers at Boston University and the University of Colorado to support work focused on increasing access to dental care and improving oral health literacy for underserved populations.
Delta Dental is focused on developing innovative care models that improve oral and overall health. This year, more than 2,700 physicians and oral health professionals participated in programs to apply medical-dental integration practices in their care settings, supporting over 107,000 patients. We also trained medical and nursing providers to incorporate preventive oral health services into routine patient visits and inpatient care, further transforming health care.
"As the nation's oral health leader, Delta Dental understands the value of research and innovation in helping to create a better understanding of the relationship between oral health and overall health and in finding better ways to deliver high-quality care to more Americans. Our companies and foundations invest in projects focused on creating actionable solutions to our biggest health care challenges."