Our History

Decades ago, a small group of trustees, citizens and dentists set out to revolutionize oral health care. We developed a pilot program to help give longshoremen’s children access to dental care. It wasn’t expected to last a year. Instead we pioneered a new industry – dental benefits

1954
1954
our history 1954
How it started

The International Longshoreman’s and Warehouseman’s Union’s Welfare Fund work with local dentists to create a pre-paid dental care plan for members’ children.


1955

We name our company Washington State Dental Services Corporation and rent a one-room office from the Washington State Dental Association in downtown Seattle.

1955

1957
1957

We join with 2 other dental benefit companies in Oregon and California to start the Delta Dental Plans Association.


1958

We offer the first pre-paid dental plans to groups of 12 or more employees.

1958

1972
1972

We welcome 52 new client groups, including: Boeing, Washington Education Association, the cities of Seattle and Tacoma, and King, Pierce and Snohomish counties.


1976

We publish the first study showing prepaid dental service subscribers visit the dentist more often, receive more preventive care and have less need for extractions and dentures.

1976

1978
1978
1978 spokane

We open our 2nd office in Spokane.


1980

Dental benefits become a standard element in employee benefits packages.

1980

1985
1985
1985 WDSF

The Washington Dental Services Foundation is born. Our joint missions are to improve the oral and overall health of people in Washington.


1995
1995 smile mobile

The SmileMobile hits the road! Since then it’s travelled over 100,000 miles and provided dental care to 44,000+ children and families.

1995

1997
1997

We endow $2 million to the UW School of Dentistry to help teach essential business skills to dental students.


2002
1995 smile mobile

We open our customer service center in Colville, Washington keeping jobs in our state.

2002

2010
2010

We make a $5 million grant and partner with the University of Washington School of Dentistry, our Foundation and Seattle Children’s Hospital to open the Center for Pediatric Dentistry. This unique facility focuses on serving children with special needs.


2012
name change 2012

We change our name to Delta Dental of Washington and establish a holding company named Washington Dental Services.

2012

Washington state leads the US in delivery of oral health preventive services to low-income children – a direct result of our Foundation’s work.

2012

2014
2014
2014

We partner with the Seattle Center Foundation to support the Seattle / King County free dental clinic held in Key Arena over 4 days. Since 2014 the annual clinics have served more than 23,000 people who face challenges accessing dental health services.

But Wait, There's More!

Policy win for our Foundation and partners: Apple Health adult dental program is restored reaching 850,000 low-income families.


2016
2016

We make a $2 million grant to equip the Dental Education Center at NeighborCare’s clinic in the Pacific Tower. The Foundation reaches a milestone, by providing oral health training to over 40% of physicians who serve children.

2016

2017
2017

Our foundation changes its name to Arcora Foundation, highlighting our goal to bend the arc of oral health towards equity.


2019
1995 smile mobile

The Tooth Fairy Experience is born! Our team of diverse Tooth Fairies visit children throughout Washington, teaching healthy oral health habits, with a bit of magic mixed in.

2019

2020
2020

We work to support our employees, communities, members and dentists during the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Our combined COVID-19 relief efforts reach $1.1 billion.


2021
How it's going

We reach 3+ million subscribers nationwide.

2021