Arizona’s community health dentists and local nonprofits often face challenges when it comes to accessing dental training and continuing education.
To increase access to care, Delta Dental of Arizona, through its foundation, is funding 20 scholarships, supporting 10 community health centers, public health clinics, and oral health nonprofit programs across Arizona, according to a press release.
Delta Dental representatives point out the training program is provided through the New York University Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities.
In addition to the program scholarships, in collaboration with BHHS Legacy Foundation, Arizona Department of Health Services, and The Burton Family Foundation, travel stipends of up to $2,500 were also provided to all recipients.
Local scholarship recipients include dental providers at the following:
The three-day intensive training focuses on observing patient workflow and experience.
“Our mission is to create a path to better health and wellness. That applies to everyone,” Michael Jones, president and chief executive officer of Delta Dental of Arizona and chair of the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation, said in a prepared statement. “For the over 7 million people in the U.S. with intellectual or developmental disabilities, visiting the dentist for oral health care can be overwhelming or even inaccessible, and we are out to change that in our state.”
In 2024, Delta Dental of Arizona added a Special Health Care Needs dental benefit to most of its dental plans. It covers additional dental visits and up to four dental cleanings per benefit year as well as treatment delivery modifications and the use of anesthesia when necessary to provide dental care.
