A statement from our Executive Director

The past weeks have brought our country's disparities into sharper focus.

In the middle of a public health crisis that is disproportionately impacting people of color, we are also responding to the continued unacceptable violence against Black Americans. These events are a painfully fresh reminder of the disparities in our systems that leave minorities behind.

The oral health care system is, unfortunately, no exception. Relative to peers, Black Americans are less likely to have dental insurance; experience higher rates of tooth decay and missing teeth; and report going to the dentist less frequently. These inequities are unacceptable. They demand our attention and our action.

The Delta Dental Institute was founded on the principle that everyone deserves access to the oral health care that is vital to overall health. Equity is at the heart of what we do. We will continue striving toward that goal, working to address oral health disparities and advance oral health for everyone through research, community outreach, and advocacy efforts. We are also committed to listening to and learning from the communities we serve and elevating diverse expert voices so that we can be the best possible partner. 

I'm proud to work for a mission-driven organization focused on equity, and that mission has taken on even greater significance for me over the last few weeks. I have devoted more than 25 years of my career to working on social justice issues and commit to work even harder to build strong, healthy, and equitable communities.

Respectfully,

Vivian Vasallo

Executive Director of the Delta Dental Institute

Sources

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6427601/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6658987/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5497869/