Delta Dental Foundation commits $1 million to expand dental care access across North Carolina
RALEIGH, N.C. (WWAY) — The Delta Dental Foundation of North Carolina has announced a $1 million investment aimed at expanding access to oral health care and strengthening the state’s dental workforce.
The investment, announced Thursday, Oct. 22, will focus on improving dental care for children and adults while supporting education and training programs for future dental professionals.
According to the foundation, significant gaps in dental care access remain across North Carolina. Although the number of dentists statewide has nearly doubled over the past two decades, more than half practice in just six counties that account for 35% of the state’s population.
Additionally, 25 counties fall below the federal threshold for adequate dental care access, and all 100 North Carolina counties are designated, at least in part, as Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas.
Four rural counties — Tyrrell, Hyde, Gates and Camden — currently have no practicing dentists, according to the foundation.
“Good oral health is a vital part of overall health, but too many people in our growing state still can’t get the dental care they need,” said Curt Ladig, president of the Delta Dental Foundation of North Carolina. “For children, the stakes are especially high as tooth decay remains the most common chronic disease of childhood, about five times more common than asthma. At the same time, many communities simply don’t have enough dental professionals to provide the care families need. Aligning the focus areas of the Delta Dental Foundation of North Carolina around these critical issues allows us to tackle both challenges together with partners across the state.”
The funding will support dental hygiene and dental assisting programs at community colleges, university programs preparing future dental professionals and community organizations providing oral health education and services.
Among the organizations benefiting from the investment are the UNC Adams School of Dentistry, East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine and Wake Technical Community College.
UNC plans to use the support for digital technology tools and need-based dental student scholarships, while ECU will focus on its special care dentistry program and educational opportunities for dental students.
Wake Tech will receive funding to strengthen its dental hygiene and dental assisting programs.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Delta Dental Foundation for investing in Wake Tech and our students,” said Wake Tech President Dr. Scott Ralls. “This support will help us expand opportunities for students to enter rewarding careers while preparing more dental professionals to serve our growing community. It’s a powerful example of how education, workforce development and access to care can come together to create greater economic mobility.”
The foundation is also supporting community-based programs that help families overcome financial and logistical barriers to dental care.
In Wake County, the foundation’s partnership with the Smiles for Kids program has helped provide more than 5,000 dental sealants on children’s teeth at no cost to families.
Foundation leaders say the $1 million commitment is intended to address immediate dental care needs while building a stronger workforce for the future.
“Expanding access takes lasting commitment and strong partnerships,” said Ladig. “This investment is a starting point that helps communities meet immediate needs while preparing the dental professionals who will care for our growing state for years to come.”
