Delta Dental Foundation
deltadental.foundation
Delta Dental Foundation
@deltadental.foundation
Funding the research, people, and programs that improve oral health equity. The DDF is a nonprofit, charitable organization that serves as the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of MI, OH, and IN. (We can't answer your insurance questions.)
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Hello, Bluesky! Excited to join the #medsky, #PublicHealth and #OralHealth communities here. (After all, teeth matter!) If you'd like to learn more about what we do, we encourage you to listen to our executive director, Holli Seabury, highlighting our strategic plan. www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNia...
A New Strategic Vision for the Delta Dental Foundation
YouTube video by Delta Dental Foundation of MI, OH, IN and NC
www.youtube.com
Did you know there's a baby board book about #OralHealth in braille? Learn more about how a collaboration among VIPS in Indianapolis, McMillen Health and the Delta Dental Foundation helped bring accessible oral health education to more children: www.deltadental.foundation/blog/braille...
Turning the page on accessibility: braille brings oral health to life for toddlers with blindness and low vision
A redesign of a baby board book brings oral health education toddlers with blindness or low vision, thanks to parent advocates at VIPS in Indianapolis.
www.deltadental.foundation
January 21, 2026 at 3:45 PM
The Davies Project, based in #Lansing, removes transportation barriers, helping families access #dental care as well as critical medical appointments for seriously and chronically ill children and expectant women. Learn more: fromcommonground.com/the-davies-p... #OralHealth
The Davies Project expands care by connecting families to oral health – Common Ground
With Delta Dental Foundation’s support, The Davies Project, based in Lansing, removes transportation barriers, helping families access dental care as well as critical medical appointments for seriousl...
fromcommonground.com
January 13, 2026 at 1:33 PM
Michigan finally has its first #dental therapist—with two more to come! Although their paths to dental therapy led them out of state for education, Dana, Jamie and Vanessa will be returning to practice in their communities. Read more about their journeys: fromcommonground.com/dental-thera...
Dental therapy offers Michigan an innovative path to expand essential oral health care – Common Ground
Michigan introduces licensed dental therapists to address provider shortages, empowering students to deliver vital community care. Michigan introduces licensed dental therapists to address provider sh...
fromcommonground.com
September 29, 2025 at 3:44 PM
At The Greater Dayton School, each child receives universal well-child visits, mental health screenings and now dental care. According to school reps, students are making academic gains at "twice the national average...regardless of income level."
Read more: fromcommonground.com/greater-dayt...
Greater Dayton School integrates health care to boost student success – Common Ground
The Greater Dayton School combines academics with on-site medical, dental, and mental health services, helping under-resourced students thrive and succeed.
fromcommonground.com
September 16, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Congratulations to this year's Mini-Grant Program recipients! Fifty-three community organizations in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana received $350,000 to support #OralHealth access, education and workforce development. For a full list of recipients, visit: www.deltadental.foundation/2025-mini-gr...
Delta Dental Foundation Awards $350,000 in Community Health Grants
Fifty-four community organizations in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana will receive $350,000 from the Delta Dental Foundation Mini-Grant Program this year.
www.deltadental.foundation
September 11, 2025 at 1:12 PM
During the pandemic, ~30% of dental hygienists left clinical practice, making it harder for patients to access dental care. One way to solve that? Invest $350K to help #DentalHygiene students pursue #OralHealth careers in MI, OH and IN. www.wilx.com/2025/07/31/d...
Delta Dental provides students with scholarships to fight hygienist shortage
Delta Dental scholarship provides students with the chance to go to school, aiding in the dental hygienist shortage.
www.wilx.com
August 6, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Are you interested in becoming a #DentalTherapist? If you're willing to practice in MI, scholarships are available! Applications are open until Monday, Aug. 11. www.mpca.net/about/dental... #OralHealth #DentalHygiene
August 5, 2025 at 12:47 PM
Justin Nance, an RDH and Hygienist Inspired ambassador in OH, serves as the dental clinic coordinator and a full-time faculty member at Rhodes State College. Learn more about how he's introducing new people to #DentalHygiene and the opportunities it presents: www.secondwavemedia.com/features/ohi...
Ohio hygienist trains future workforce through outreach role
Justin Nance blends teaching and patient care to combat workforce shortages and inspire the next generation of dental hygienists in Ohio.
www.secondwavemedia.com
July 31, 2025 at 5:02 PM
"There's so much more to this profession than people think," says Hali Householder, a #dental hygienist and Hygienist Inspired ambassador in Indiana. "It's not just about cleaning teeth."

Read more about Householder's unique #OralHealth journey: www.inputfortwayne.com/features/how...
How an Indiana hygienist inspires careers, expands access as an industry ambassador
Hali Householder helps recruit future dental hygienists and promotes whole-body health through a pioneering workforce initiative tackling care shortages.
www.inputfortwayne.com
July 30, 2025 at 2:17 PM
This fall, 35 students in MI, OH and IN will attend #DentalHygiene school with scholarships from the DDF! Learn more about why we invested $350K to support #OralHealth workforce development, address hygienist shortages and improve access to care: www.deltadental.foundation/2025-hygiene...
Dental Hygiene Students Receive $350,000 in Scholarships from Delta Dental Foundation
The Delta Dental Foundation awarded 36 students in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana from 13 schools nearly $350,000 to support their dental hygiene education.
www.deltadental.foundation
July 29, 2025 at 11:52 AM
The Michigan Health Council's 2025 Michigan Healthcare Workforce Index confirms much of what we already know: Michigan is facing a critical shortage of #dental hygienists and dental assistants. Learn more: www.mhc.org/post/dentist... #OralHealth #Dentistry
Dentists Claim Top Spot as Michigan’s ‘Healthiest’ Healthcare Occupation in New MHC Report
2025 Michigan Healthcare Workforce Index reveals critical gaps across nearly all healthcare sectors; dental assistants ranked as ‘unhealthiest’CONTACT: Ana HornburgMichigan Health Councilana.hornburg@...
www.mhc.org
July 22, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Less than two weeks to apply to our Mini-Grant program! We're offering grants up to $10,000 to programs that promote or provide #OralHealth care in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana. Applications will be accepted until July 31! Learn more: www.deltadental.foundation/community-mi...
Mini-Grants for Nonprofits Promoting or Providing Oral Health Care
www.deltadental.foundation
July 21, 2025 at 12:47 PM
More than 24,000 patients every year take advantage of school-based #dental centers in Cincinnati, and Dr. Novais expects they'll be able to care for another 2,200 once their newest clinic opens. Learn more about how school-based health improves #OralHealth: www.secondwavemedia.com/features/cin...
Cincinnati’s school dental clinics bring relief to thousands
Serving 24,000 patients annually, the Cincinnati Health Department dental program brings year-round care to students and community patients through an innovative public-private partnership.
www.secondwavemedia.com
July 15, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Dr. Rickert, the first American Indian female dentist in the U.S., is featured in an exhibit at the Grand Rapids Children's Museum. She hopes that the exhibit, along with her outreach efforts, will inspire more Native youth to become #OralHealth professionals. nativenewsonline.net/health/break...
Breaking Barriers: Dr. Jessica Rickert Inspires Native Dentists
This story is part of a series on the challenges and solutions related to oral health in Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio. It is made possible with funding support from the Delta Dental Foundation.
nativenewsonline.net
July 14, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Reposted by Delta Dental Foundation
Thanks to a decades-long public-private partnership, Cincinnati now operates 12 dental centers, six of which are embedded in public schools. Each provides year-round, comprehensive care not only for students but for their families and the broader community. buff.ly/MSqBi6S
#oralhealth #dentist
July 10, 2025 at 7:41 PM
This quarter, we granted more than $1.4M to organizations in MI, OH and IN, which you can read about in the link below. Keep an eye on your inbox for our latest newsletter, which highlights our grantmaking and the work of our community partners! www.deltadental.foundation/summer-2025 #OralHealth
Summer 2025: New Grants and Funding Initiatives
The Delta Dental Foundation (DDF) recently approved more than $1.4 million in grants to fund initiatives in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana.
www.deltadental.foundation
July 11, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Dental clinics in schools can eliminate many barriers to care: access, affordability, transportation, and more. Learn about how students AND Cincinnati residents are benefiting from the their school-based dental clinics: www.deltadental.foundation/blog/school-... #OralHealth
For kids in many Cincinnati schools, dental visits are as easy as ABC
In Cincinnati, school-based dental care helps more than 24,000 children access the dental care they need during the school day.
www.deltadental.foundation
July 10, 2025 at 7:49 PM
What happens when you have a #dental emergency, especially outside of traditional business hours? Cherry Health's Belknap Commons Dental Center is dedicated solely to urgent dental care. Since opening last year they've treated nearly 600 patients. #OralHealth www.secondwavemedia.com/features/che...
Cherry Health’s Belknap Commons Dental Center eases dental emergency burden
Cherry Health’s Grand Rapids Belknap clinic offers urgent dental care in the evenings, reducing ER visits and improving access for underserved and working patients.
www.secondwavemedia.com
May 29, 2025 at 12:59 PM
We envision a world where everyone has access to high-quality #dental care that meets their comfort level and abilities across the lifespan. Read more about the unique #OralHealth programs and solutions we funded in our 2024 annual report: www.deltadental.foundation/2024-annual-...
DDF 2024 Annual Report
www.deltadental.foundation
May 19, 2025 at 6:42 PM
The first cohort of Hygienist Inspired ambassadors recently completed their first training. Now that they're home, these #OralHealth leaders are already coordinating outreach efforts in their respective states. Read the full story below. www.deltadental.foundation/blog/hygieni...
Dental hygiene leaders assemble for first Hygienist Inspired training
Part pep rally, part leadership workshop, this seminar is a training event for the first cohort of Hygienist Inspired program ambassadors.
www.deltadental.foundation
April 23, 2025 at 5:29 PM
We wanted answers to a thorny question: What do dental hygiene programs need to increase program capacity and diversify their student population? To find out, we worked with the Michigan Health Council on a nationwide survey of #DentalHygiene programs. Review the findings: www.mhc.org/dhsurvey
Dental Hygiene Program Survey | MHC
This report highlights results from a 2024 survey of dental hygiene degree programs across the United States (U.S.). 328 schools were surveyed regarding their clinical rotation experiences, with 157 r...
hubs.la
April 7, 2025 at 5:02 PM
As the first American Indian female dentist, Dr. Jessica Rickert knows what it's like to chart her own path. Now, she advocates for #OralHealth equity in MI and beyond, inspiring Native youth through mentorship and representation. Learn more about her journey: www.secondwavemedia.com/features/bre...
Breaking Barriers: Dr. Jessica Rickert inspires native dentists
Jessica Rickert, DDS, the first American Indian female dentist, advocates for oral health equity and inspires Native youth through mentorship and representation.
www.secondwavemedia.com
April 3, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Marine veteran Thomas Jones moved from Georgia to Michigan in search of better health care. What he found was Victors for Veterans, a University of Michigan School of Dentistry program that provides free dental care to qualifying veterans. Read more: www.flintside.com/features/doc...
Doctors expand dental care access for veterans in need
Two Michigan veterans care advocates are tackling the critical gap in veterans’ dental care, offering free clinics through grants and sustainable community programs. ​​​​​​​
www.flintside.com
March 24, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Does your community have the resources it needs to support good #OralHealth habits? We offer in-kind materials—educational materials, toothbrushes, toothpaste and more—to nonprofits in MI, OH and IN. If you need materials before July, apply by Feb. 28: www.deltadental.foundation/in-kind-requ...
February 21, 2025 at 5:25 PM
For over a decade, a dental chair, still wrapped in its original plastic, sat unused in the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center. During that time, young people in the detention center often went without dental care—unless it was an emergency. That all changed last year. #OralHealth
February 18, 2025 at 5:47 PM