#USA #Washington #Workforce Development #oral health #Delta Dental

Delta Dental's New White Paper

Delta Dental is taking significant steps to tackle the ongoing shortages in the oral health workforce with its newly published white paper titled "The Pathway Effect: A Guide to Strengthening the Oral Health Workforce Through Early Exposure Programs." This report emphasizes the urgent need to develop a more robust and inclusive dental workforce, particularly given the alarming statistic that over 24 million Americans reside in areas suffering from dental health professional shortages.

The white paper not only identifies the issues facing the oral health profession but also offers actionable strategies to mitigate these challenges. According to research findings derived from the Delta Dental Future Workforce Fund — a program that has positively impacted more than 71,000 individuals spanning students, teachers, and community members across 44 states since its inception in 2023 — early exposure to dental careers is pivotal in fostering interest and confidence in potential future professionals.

Key Findings

In the pursuit of a sustainable workforce, the report unearths several key insights:
1. The Role of Early Exposure: Engaging students at a young age in dental health careers significantly amplifies their interest and eases their journey into the profession.
2. Funding and Partnerships: Long-lasting workforce initiatives must be supported with multi-year funding, thorough evaluations, and strong collaborative efforts from various sectors.
3. Collaborative Solutions Needed: The report stresses that a united industry-wide approach is critical to effectively address the long-term workforce challenges that have plagued the oral health sector.

James W. Hutchison, President and CEO of the Delta Dental Plans Association, stated, "Early exposure works—and it may be one of our best opportunities to grow and help strengthen the oral health workforce." He lauded these organizations funded by Delta Dental as essential players in creating actionable blueprints and pathways to success.

Call to Action

Delta Dental is urging a collaborative effort among stakeholders, including funders, educators, practitioners, and community leaders, to develop and promote scalable pathways into oral health careers. The goal is to share best practices and invest in educating the next generation of oral health professionals, ensuring that equitable access to dental care becomes a reality for all communities.

For anyone interested in diving deeper into this important research and accessing the full white paper, the document is available at deltadentalinstitute.com/workforce.

About Delta Dental

The Delta Dental Institute champions the cause of oral health across the United States, collaborating with Delta Dental companies and numerous local organizations. The institute's mission is not only to enhance oral health understanding but also to expand access to dental care for all Americans. With Delta Dental being the largest dental benefits provider in the nation, the organization boasts an extensive network of approximately 151,000 participating dentists and has invested over $2.3 billion to improve community health over the last 15 years.

Through dedicated research, advocacy, and outreach, Delta Dental endeavors to solidify the notion that oral health is integral to overall well-being and to ensure support for all seeking dental care.