DELTA DENTAL’S COLLABORATIVE COMMITMENT AND INITIATIVES
In 2023, Delta Dental of South Carolina launched a workforce development pilot grant program aimed at strengthening oral health career pipelines, supporting mentorship programs, enhancing recruitment efforts targeting high school students, and expanding the dental hygiene and assistant workforce.
The pilot resulted in significant workforce development outcomes –
• Launched a community dental health coordinator program in partnership with Medical University of South Carolina and the American Dental Association to address oral health inequities in rural communities: https://dentistry.musc.edu/students-and-admissions/ces/community-dental-health-coordinator-certificate-program
• Engaged more than 750 individuals through oral health career workshops, shadowing opportunities, mentorships and scholarships – many from underserved and underrepresented communities
Building on this momentum, Delta Dental of South Carolina is continuing its workforce development efforts in 2025 through a collaborative approach and a $125,000 commitment to further these initiatives.
A key milestone was the June 17 stakeholder convening in Columbia, which brought together leaders from the South Carolina Dental Association, South Carolina Department of Public Health, South Carolina Oral Health Action Network, the Medical University of South Carolina, Community Health Worker Association, Midlands Technical University, the Palmetto Medical, Dental & Pharmaceutical Association and Lexington-Richland District Five.
The collaborative meeting helped define shared goals and priorities. South Carolina stakeholders identified focus areas – integration of oral health services, education, and referral across the broader health care system, strengthening recruitment pathways and the oral health workforce pipeline and expanding the role of community-based dental coordinators and community health workers in oral health care.
Progress is underway through key collaborative actions –
• A working collaborative has been established to support implementation, continue the conversation and monitor progress
• Partnerships across focus areas are being strengthened and formalized to drive measurable impact
• A strategic framework is being developed to identify barriers and support the growth and sustainability of South Carolina’s oral health workforce
“We know there’s a shortage of dental professionals across the state, and we’re committed to supporting our providers and strengthening the pipeline,” said Dr. Nevin Mathai, Delta Dental of South Carolina dental director.
About Delta Dental of South Carolina
Delta Dental of South Carolina is a trade name of Delta Dental of Missouri, a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization, leading dental benefits provider and oral health philanthropist, which operates in South Carolina under that name. It provides more than 411,000 members in South Carolina 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. It also created the South Carolina Dental Care Resource Guide to help individuals access information about low-cost and free dental care options in their area—available online at www.DeltaDentalSC.com/ResourceGuide. To learn more about the company, visit www.DeltaDentalSC.com.