Delta Dental of Washington was thrilled to cut the ribbon on Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences’ (PNWU) new school of dental medicine – Delta Dental Equity Hall – on September 28, 2024.
The state’s second dental school, expected to open to students in fall 2025, will train 36 dental students per year alongside PNWU health sciences students in preparation for working in collaborative and integrated healthcare environments, and which reflects the direct connection between oral and overall health. Following one year of on-campus training, PNWU will be the first dental school in the nation in which students will have three years of full-time immersive training at one of three federally qualified health centers located in Tacoma, Tri-Cities and Yakima.
Delta Dental of Washington’s President & CEO Mark Mitchke spoke at the ribbon-cutting event, highlighting the shared commitment to improving equitable access to dental care statewide by both PNWU and Delta Dental of Washington, which committed $12 million in funding.
“Most dental disease is preventable, but you can’t prevent oral health issues if you don’t have access to care,” said Mitchke. “As a mission-driven organization, Delta Dental of Washington is committed to growing the dental workforce particularly within communities of color and extending access to care for rural and underserved communities where we can make the biggest impact on improving our state’s oral health.”
The school’s aim is to help increase equitable access to dental care and will be uniquely focused on serving rural and other medically underserved communities which are increasingly experiencing a critical dental workforce shortage contributing to a disproportionate incidence of oral health issues.
The 30,0000-square-foot state-of-the-art dental school classroom and workspace building, to be named Delta Dental Equity Hall in recognition of the shared commitment of PNWU and Delta Dental of Washington, aims to help increase equitable access to dental care.
"The school of dental medicine would not be a reality without the support and generosity of Delta Dental of Washington,” said Dr. Fotinos Panagakos, Dean, PNWU School of Dental Medicine. “Delta Dental Equity Hall will provide a state-of-the-art academic space for our program to train the next generation of primary care dentists focused on delivering care to the underserved in Washington, bringing oral health equity to those in need."
In addition to Delta Dental of Washington’s landmark commitment -- $2 million previously awarded and an additional $10 million announced today – PNWU’s School of Dental Medicine has also received $5 million in state funding with additional support from Washington State Dental Association Foundation, Pierce County, foundations and individual donors.
