DentaQuest announced an investment in organizations that advance and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in oral health care.
With this investment, DentaQuest is supporting efforts to break down barriers to accessing oral health care. DentaQuest is contributing a total of $65,000 to five organizations across California to aid in their work, including:
- Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine is creating a dental school safety net externship;
- Children Now is advocating to reduce barriers for children of color to reach their full potential;
- GeriSmiles Dental Health Foundation is bringing mobile dental services to regional schools and to geriatric populations in need of oral health care;
- The Pediatric Dental Initiative (PDI) is providing pediatric and special needs patients with oral health prevention education and dental care services; and
- United American Indian Involvement, Inc. (UAII) is creating a pathway for American Indians/Alaskan Natives to pursue a career in dentistry.
“The overarching goal of these five organizations is to create a more equitable health care system and to break down barriers to affordable, accessible, quality dental care,” said Steve Pollock, DentaQuest president and CEO. “By investing in organizations that promote and implement programs based in diversity, equity and inclusion, we’re advancing grassroots efforts to improve the oral health of all.”