Delta Dental of Washington has partnered with the University of Washington’s Health Promotion Research Center (HPRC) to launch a comprehensive implementation and evaluation guide designed to improve equity and representation in the dental workforce.
The new guide supports Delta Dental’s Dental Career Discovery program, which aims to inspire and connect youth from historically underrepresented communities with careers in dentistry.
While more than 70% of the American dental workforce is white, a 2023 report from the American Dental Association, the dental workforce has low diversity: 19.8% is Asian, 6% Hispanic, 3.8% Black and 0.5% American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander.
“The Dental Career Discovery program is an innovative approach to workforce development and supporting diversity and equity in dental health careers,” said Marlana Kohn, research scientist at HPRC. “It brings intentionality to the workforce development pipeline focusing on youth who can enter dental health early in their careers and have opportunities to grow into higher levels of training over time. We are thrilled to support Delta Dental of Washington as they plan for long-term program evaluation and build a foundation to scale the program to additional Delta Dental organizations nationwide.”
The goal of the partnership with the HPRC was to set up Delta Dental with the information and tools needed to demonstrate progress toward short-, medium-, and long-term goals. Doing this well requires a structured approach designed specifically to make sure all the pieces fit together seamlessly to achieve their objectives.
HPRC worked closely with Delta Dental to build a robust implementation and evaluation plan that will produce data on key performance metrics over time and the processes that support program delivery. Understanding how the Dental Career Discovery program meets its goals is critical to scaling the program across Washington and beyond by identifying infrastructure, resources and processes necessary for successful implementation.
Delta Dental can then ensure those elements are in place as they scale new communities and position the program for success. Scaling the program will help introduce more youth to dental health careers, expand the dental health workforce, improve workforce representation, and support living wage career paths for historically underrepresented communities.”
The Dental Career Discovery implementation guide outlines how to:
- Track program activities and data collection
- Analyze and report outcomes
- Use the Theory of Change model to interpret the results to identify new goals
- Reflect and adjust programming using a Process Improvement Worksheet
A key part of the guide is a custom-built data system that gives Delta Dental team members the ability to input and monitor data that will help them track program partners and workshop attendees. The system includes real-time dashboards and reports that will help the team evaluate program reach to priority communities, and progress toward program objectives and outcomes.
After data is entered and analyzed, the Implementation Guide provides guidance on how the DCD Program can improve by utilizing the Theory of Change and providing the team with a Process Improvement Worksheet.
“HPRC’s thoughtful guidance has given us the tools and knowledge we need to build off the foundation of our program,” said Nicolette Slaughter, Delta Dental of Washington’s workforce development Sr. program manager. “While there has been some progress in diversifying the dental workforce, the representation of BIPOC dentists still lags far behind the communities they serve. Our vision is to ignite inspiration in the next generation of dental professionals and help reshape the future of oral health—one that is innovative, inclusive, and truly reflective of our population.”
With the new guide in place, Delta Dental and its partners are better positioned to grow the Dental Career Discovery program statewide – and beyond – creating lasting impact for students and the oral health field alike.
For more information on the Dental Career Discovery program, visit DeltaDentalWA.com. Learn more about the University of Washington Health Promotion Research Center.
About Delta Dental of Washington
Founded 70 years ago by Seattle area dentists who set out to revolutionize oral health care, an innovative program was developed to provide longshoremen’s children access to dental care – and the concept of dental benefits was born. Today Delta Dental of Washington, a not-for-profit, is the state’s leading dental benefits provider covering nearly 4 million people statewide and beyond.
Through corporate philanthropy, oral health advocacy, and funding the Arcora Foundation, Delta Dental of Washington plays a vital role in making dental care more equitable and accessible, increasing dental health education with an emphasis on youth, and expanding diversity at all levels within the dental profession. These collective efforts aim to improve oral health care in Washington so all people can enjoy good oral and overall health with no one left behind. Delta Dental of Washington is part of the Delta Dental Plans Association, consisting of 39 independent affiliated member companies. For more information, visit: www.DeltaDentalWA.com.
About UW Health Promotion Research Center
The University of Washington Health Promotion Research Center (UW HPRC) is located in the Department of Health Systems and Population Health within the School of Public Health in Seattle, Washington.
UW HRPC conducts community-based research that promotes the health and well-being of middle-aged and older adults, particularly those with lower incomes and/or in underserved communities who are more likely to experience health disparities. The center’s research includes a broad range of health promotion topics, including healthy aging, cancer prevention and control, workplace health, physical activity, depression management, and brain health by collaborating with local, regional, and national partners who are committed to health promotion and improving people’s quality of life – as well as with organizations which reach large numbers of individuals, including nonprofits, employers, business groups, community networks, and government agencies.
