Imagine a Colorado where every child, every adult, in every corner of our beautiful state, has access to high-quality oral health care. Imagine a Colorado where our dental health professionals reflect the vibrant diversity of our communities, and no one suffers from oral health disparities due to their location, their identity, or their economic status. This is the vision Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation (DDCOF) works toward.
In 2022, DDCOF made a bold strategic move—a nearly $5 million investment to expand and diversify dental hygiene programs across our state in partnership with Colorado’s higher education institutions. This initiative aims to address the critical shortage of dental hygienists and the lack of access to oral health care, particularly in underserved areas, while also diversifying the oral health workforce to more closely reflect the demographics across the state.
Expansion of Dental Hygiene Programs Across Colorado
April of 2023 marked the beginning of this project as Community College of Denver expanded their existing dental hygiene program by 14 seats, for a total of 40 students per cohort. This summer has been particularly eventful as Front Range Community College, Pikes Peak State College, and Colorado Mountain College each held ribbon-cutting ceremonies for their new dental hygiene programs. These programs are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities designed to provide exceptional education and hands-on training for future dental hygienists.
These programs are more than just educational opportunities; they’re pathways to equity and economic mobility hubs across Colorado. To start, three of the four dental hygiene programs are located in regions of the state that previously didn’t offer a dental hygiene path, opening doors for students who might not have otherwise had the chance to pursue a career in oral health. The graduating hygienists will bolster the oral health workforce in regions that have long been underserved—some where people have had to drive hours just to see a dentist. Bringing care closer to home makes it easier for more people to access oral health care.
This initiative also supports our oral health workforce reflecting the rich tapestry of Colorado’s population. Research tells us that when patients see providers who share similar cultural backgrounds and speak their language, they feel more understood and are more likely to seek care. By diversifying our oral health workforce, we’re fostering a health care system that is inclusive, responsive, and culturally competent.
The Power of Partnerships for Impactful Change
We believe in the power of partnerships and know that when organizations from diverse sectors come together, we can amplify our impact exponentially. Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation provided the initial funds that each college was then able to leverage for additional investment to see the hygiene schools come to fruition. We’re working toward a shared commitment to a healthier Colorado, where we pool our expertise, share our knowledge, and align our goals to achieve far more than we ever could alone.
In line with this, we are excited to announce that DDCOF has been awarded a $500,000 workforce grant from the Colorado Health Foundation’s Integrated Primary Care Initiative to support continued workforce development initiatives. This funding will be focused on exposing students to both oral and overall health careers, building career pathways for oral health, and strengthening the bridge between oral and overall health by integrating students into primary care settings at each level of their career.
Looking Ahead: DDCOF’s New Strategic Plan for 2025
While we’re talking about the future, I have an exciting update to share. Over the summer, we’ve been dreaming about, and then diligently developing our new strategic plan for implementation in 2025. While I can’t share the details yet, we’re aiming to make a bigger impact than ever before. We’ll be rolling out the plan for everyone in the coming months, so subscribe to our newsletter to stay in the know.
Oral health is about more than just beautiful smiles; it’s about overall health, dignity, and opportunity. This journey began with a vision and a belief that together, we can advance oral health equity for all Coloradans. Through these strategic investments and partnerships, we are turning that vision into reality—building a healthier, more equitable Colorado for all.