A new Delta Dental Institute campaign is working to create a more diverse oral health workforce, and it has the backing of Delta Dental of New Jersey. 

The effort, announced April 20, will support initiatives in oral health education, research and community investment, and establish the Delta Dental Oral Health Diversity Fund.   

“Since 1986, the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation has worked to promote and assist educational projects devoted to the enhancement of dental health, especially in underserved communities,” Dennis Wilson, president and CEO of Delta Dental of New Jersey, said in a statement. “We are excited to work with the Delta Dental Institute to help make an impact in diversifying the oral health workforce.”   

The Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Parsippany-based Delta Dental of New Jersey. 

The Delta Dental Institute recently sponsored research by Harvard School of Dental Medicine – an initiative that is part of the new campaign – that found “[w]hile racial and ethnic diversity among health professionals is linked to improved outcomes and greater health equity, the current oral health workforce does not reflect the changing demographics of the U.S. population.” 

Highlights of the new campaign: 

• In its first year, the Delta Dental Oral Health Diversity Fund will make investments of up to $1 million in programs that inspire children from historically underrepresented groups to pursue a career in oral health. 
• Nationally, Delta Dental will continue to fund scholarships and infrastructure at minority-serving institutions.   
• Nearly a quarter of Delta Dental’s community investments across the U.S. are dedicated to oral health education and workforce development.   

“It’s important to recruit as many historically underrepresented people into the dental workforce as possible,” said Dr. George McLaughlin, Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation chair and Delta Dental of New Jersey board member. “I’ve been advocating for greater diversity in the dental field for more than 30 years, and it makes a difference because patients tend to look for providers who look like them.  

“As a person of color, I understand firsthand the barriers people in my community face regarding accessing dental care,” McLaughlin continued. “I am hopeful that this campaign will help inspire future generations and create a more diverse workforce in our field.” 

In August 2022, the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation announced more than $761,000 in grants to organizations around the state, which included scholarships for dental hygienists in county colleges as well as dental assistant students in high school and a local county college.