Delta Dental of Washington: PNDC 2024 Community Partner

Delta Dental of Washington is on a mission to improve oral health for all, together.

Our members are more likely to have had a recent preventive care visit, and for that we thank the 90% of Washington’s dentists who partnered with our network in 2023 to complete over 2.3M preventive visits for 1.5M unique patients.

As we celebrate these preventive care wins, we also recognize the economic and staffing pressures dentists are facing, which is why in 2023 we:

• Joined the Washington State Dental Association (WSDA) and the Washington State Dental Hygienist Association to support passing the Dentist & Dental Hygiene Compact
• Partnered with the WSDA to change national policy for panoramic radiographs, which will no longer be included with other radiographs that bundle to a comprehensive, full mouth series—resulting in more diagnostic fees allowed as billable
• Invested an additional ~$34M in inflationary increases, specialist reimbursement, and modifications to our Provider Reimbursement Model (PRM)—which centers preventive care

The Tooth Fairy Experience presents free in-person and virtual presentations to youth organizations and K-2 classrooms with a focus on underserved communities including rural, tribal and Title I schools. Reaching nearly 70,000 kids to date, our program makes pediatric dental health education fun and interactive and is intended to improve dental health habits among kids. The program includes:

• Presentations, delivered in English, Spanish and American Sign Language by diverse Tooth Fairies
• Online resources for providers, educators and parents
• Quarterly newsletter
• 3 children’s books to match each module – The Clean Teeth Club, The Search for the World’s Greatest Smile, and Smile Scouts
• A coloring and activity book for dentists

Expanded access for members and care when, where, and how they need it are essential to good oral and overall health. Arcora Foundation—which Delta Dental of Washington founded and funds—advances oral health equity across the state. Highlights of Arcora’s accomplishments with partners in 2023 include:

• Provided over $2.7M in grants and sponsorships to fund localized oral health equity efforts 
• 65,000+ users received unique referrals to care through DentistLink, a no-cost public-private partnership between Arcora and the Washington State Health Care Authority that connects people to dental care whether they have insurance, including Apple Health (Medicaid) or not
• 1,400+ patients served in more than 30 clinics and community events statewide on the SmileMobile, Arcora’s modern, mobile dental office
• Partnered with dental community leaders to offer continuing dental education courses with 160+ course completions, including our in-demand Culturally Appropriate Care courses at PNDC 2023