Turning Purpose into Progress
At Delta Dental of Colorado, our mission has always been clear: to improve the oral health of the communities we serve. But meaningful change doesn’t happen overnight. It takes long-term commitment, intentional partnerships, engaged team members, and measurable goals.
That’s the idea behind The Smile Effect, our five-year Community Impact strategy to turn purpose into measurable progress through 2030. At its center are five ambitious goals that will guide our work, help us measure our progress and bring our team members, partners and communities together around a shared vision for a healthier Colorado.
Why Five-Year Goals?
Community impact takes time. Whether we’re helping a child access oral health resources, supporting a nonprofit partner, encouraging volunteerism, or investing in sustainability initiatives, lasting outcomes are built over years, not months. Over the next five years, we want to bring our communities and partners along on that journey, working side by side toward milestones that can make a meaningful difference for Colorado.
Impact 1 Million Lives
One of our most ambitious goals is to positively impact 1 million lives by 2030. This goal reflects the many ways our community investments can support people and communities across Colorado.
Lives impacted include:
- Oral health donations distributed through nonprofit partners
- Volunteer activities that support community members
- Sponsorships and investments that expand access to programs and services
- Community partnerships that promote healthier lives and healthier smiles
Expanding Access to Oral Health Essentials
Access to oral health products remains a significant need for many individuals and families. Through our Basic Needs Program and nonprofit partnerships, we’re working to distribute 500,000 oral health items by 2030.
In 2026, our goal is to distribute 150,000 oral health items, including children’s toothbrushes, adult toothbrushes, and toothpaste tablets. This milestone aligns with Colorado’s 150th anniversary and reflects our commitment to expanding access to essential oral health resources.
These donations help put oral health essentials into the hands of Coloradans who need them, while supporting healthy habits that can last well beyond the life of the products themselves.
Volunteering 12,000 Hours in Our Communities
Volunteerism is one of the most powerful ways we connect with our communities.
By 2030, we aim to contribute 12,000 volunteer hours through company-sponsored service projects, team volunteer activities, board service, and individual volunteer efforts.
Our team members already make a tremendous impact through giving their time and talents to organizations and causes across Colorado. Looking ahead, we see even more opportunity to bring team members, leaders and community partners together through meaningful opportunities to serve.
Making Team Member Generosity go Further
When team members give, communities benefit. When those gifts are matched, the impact grows even further.
Our goal is to unlock $275,000 in matching funds by 2030 through team member charitable giving and volunteer incentives. This goal recognizes the generosity of our team members and demonstrates how corporate matching programs can amplify support for nonprofit organizations throughout Colorado.
Every dollar donated and every volunteer reward directed to a nonprofit helps strengthen the organizations working every day to improve lives across our state.
Taking 5,000 Actions Toward a Healthier Environment
Healthy communities depend on a healthy environment.
Through volunteer projects, educational initiatives, operational improvements, and sustainability-focused partnerships, we’re working toward 5,000 sustainability acts by 2030.
This goal reflects our commitment to environmental stewardship and recognizes that businesses have an important role to play in protecting natural resources for future generations. As participation grows, we plan to invite more people into this work, including nonprofit partners, providers, brokers, groups, and other stakeholders.
Looking Ahead
For us, these goals are more than numbers. They represent healthier smiles for children and families. They represent stronger nonprofit organizations. They represent cleaner communities, more volunteer service, and expanded opportunities for people across Colorado to thrive.
Most importantly, they represent a commitment to measuring what matters and ensuring that our Community Impact efforts continue creating meaningful, lasting change.
As we work toward The Smile Effect 2030, we look forward to partnering with nonprofit organizations, community leaders, employees, providers, brokers, customers, and fellow Coloradans who share our vision of a healthier, more vibrant Colorado.
Creating healthier communities isn’t work we do alone. Together, we’re turning purpose into progress, one smile and one community at a time.