DELTA DENTAL OF MISSOURI COMMITS $500,000 TO EXPAND DENTAL WORKFORCE AND ACCESS TO VITAL CARE

Achievements from its 2023 Workforce Development Grants Inspire Continued Investment

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (May 12, 2025) … Delta Dental of Missouri – a non-profit organization and the state’s leading dental benefits provider and oral health philanthropist – is committing an additional $500,000 in grant funds through its 2025 Workforce Development Initiative, which helps prepare high schoolers, college students and working-age adults for career paths in dental health professions.

The company launched its initial Workforce Development Initiative in 2023, providing $500,000 to seven organizations. It continues to address the dental workforce shortage in 2025, with grants to expand this workforce and access to vital dental care through strategic partnerships across Missouri and in South Carolina, where it also does business.

Delta Dental of Missouri will collaborate with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services – Office of Dental Health to award 2025 funding and identify organizations in Missouri, which are working to address the dental workforce shortage. The company will also identify organizations, which do the same in South Carolina, to award grants there.

The funds will play a critical role in continued development of innovative programs to support students pursuing dental health professions, such as dentists, hygienists and dental assistants, and will expand access to care for underrepresented children and adults, including those who live in rural communities in both states. The $500,000 committed for 2025 includes $375,000 for organizations in Missouri, and $125,000 for those based in South Carolina.

“We’re thrilled by the accomplishments of organizations and students who benefited from our Workforce Development grants in 2023,” said Rob Goren, president and chief executive officer at Delta Dental of Missouri. “Their work is crucial in growing the dental workforce and advancing access to critical care, especially for those in need. In 2025, we’re continuing our investment and partnering with fellow oral health leaders to inspire students to pursue a dental care profession. Investing in this workforce helps change the lives of the students and the thousands of patients they can treat throughout their careers.”

Organizations that received funding from Delta Dental of Missouri in 2023 are making a positive impact on the dental workforce:

• Central Ozarks Medical Center in Camdenton received $100,000 for its Dental Assistant Academy Program to educate 17 students through theoretical instruction and hands-on clinical training to prepare them for the Certified Dental Assisting exam. Eight of the academy’s graduates have been hired by Central Ozarks Medical Center, increasing its workforce to support patients.

• Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services – Office of Dental Health in Jefferson City received $100,000 to establish a Dental Assisting Pilot Program in high school career centers. The program enabled 51 enrolled high school juniors and seniors to earn a dental assisting certificate, pass the basic skills exam, complete clinical rotations and earn Expanded Function Dental Assistant certificates.

• Missouri Primary Care Association in Jefferson City received $99,998 to create a rural dental assistant apprenticeship program at four federally qualified health centers. The curriculum adheres to the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation standards. Three students have passed the Missouri Dental Assisting Exam, and seven students are preparing for testing.

• Missouri Area Health Education Centers in Kirksville received $40,000 for oral health science activities in its summer programming (grades 6-12) and to develop scholarship programs and mentorship opportunities. Funding provided resources for dental assisting students at Area Health Education Centers in Northwest, West Central, Northeast, Southeast and Southwest Missouri. Three student graduates are now employed as dental assistants. The centers hosted dental career workshops for 75 rural high school students, providing shadowing opportunities and scholarships to access the Dental Admission Test (DAT) Prep program.

• Missouri Highlands Health Care in Ellington received $39,200 for its Oral Health Workforce Initiative to create a workforce pipeline, including dental day camps, mentorship programs, in-house training and visits to junior high and high schools to teach students about oral health career paths. The initiative served 120 individuals, who learned about careers as a dental receptionist, dental assistant, dental hygienist and dentist.

The following South Carolina organizations received oral health grants from Delta Dental of Missouri in 2023:

• Medical University of South Carolina Foundation in Charleston, S.C. ($99,633)

• Deeper Than Dentistry in Columbia, S.C. ($21,500)

About Delta Dental of Missouri

Delta Dental of Missouri is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization and the state’s leading dental benefits provider and oral health philanthropist. It provides more than 2.41 million members with access to affordable, high-quality dental care through group plans tailored to meet the needs of organizations of all sizes, from large corporations to small businesses with two or more employees. Delta Dental also offers dental benefit plans directly to individuals and families. It also provides access to affordable, high-quality vision care through group vision benefit plans. The company proudly supports oral health initiatives, educational programs and charitable causes that help educate people about the importance of dental health and provide free dental care to those in need. Delta Dental of Missouri also created the Missouri Dental Care Resource Guide to help individuals access information about low-cost and free dental care options in their area—available online at www.DeltaDentalMO.com/ResourceGuide. To learn more about the company, visit www.DeltaDentalMO.com.