Good oral health is a vital part of overall health, but access to dental care remains a challenge for communities across North Carolina. Meeting that need means reaching people who lack care today while preparing the dental professionals who will serve them in the years ahead.
On October 22, 2026, the Delta Dental Foundation of North Carolina announced a $1 million commitment to support both priorities. The investment will focus on children’s and adult oral health and the next generation of dental professionals, with the goal of expanding access to care statewide.
The number of dentists in North Carolina has nearly doubled over the last two decades, yet significant gaps in access remain:
More than half of the state’s dentists practice in just six counties that account for only 35% of the state’s population.
Twenty-five counties fall below the federal threshold for adequate access to dental care.
All 100 North Carolina counties are designated, in whole or in part, as Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas.
At a press conference at the Poe Center for Health Education in Raleigh, Foundation President Curt Ladig explained that the Foundation was created to positively impact access to oral health care and overall wellness. Its immediate focus is on two connected needs: reaching patients who lack care and building a dental workforce that can sustain that care over time.
“Good oral health is a vital part of overall health, but too many people in our growing state still can’t get the dental care they need,” said Ladig. “For children, the stakes are especially high as tooth decay remains the most common chronic disease of childhood, about five times more common than asthma. At the same time, many communities simply don’t have enough dental professionals to provide the care families need. Aligning the focus areas of the Delta Dental Foundation of North Carolina around these critical issues allows us to tackle both challenges together with partners across the state.”
Ladig noted that four rural northeastern counties, Tyrrell, Hyde, Gates and Camden, currently have no practicing dentists. Long-term investments are critical to developing the next generation of dental professionals.
Dental hygiene and assisting programs at community colleges across North Carolina.
University programs training the future dental professional workforce.
Community-based organizations that provide education and oral health services for children and adults.
“Investment across North Carolina is not new,” said Ladig. “It’s been in our DNA these last sixteen years. This is an invitation to public, private, academic, nonprofit, and community partners to help us build a healthier future. We cannot do this work alone.”
Longstanding Delta Dental partners joined Ladig at the Thursday announcement to share what the investment will mean for their students, programs and communities.
Dean Janet Guthmiller described how the partnership with the Delta Dental Foundation will support UNC’s investment in the latest digital technology tools and need-based dental student scholarships.
“We are incredibly grateful for this remarkable gift,” said Guthmiller. “It will have an immediate impact on our learners and help prepare the next generation of dentists and dental hygienists to serve communities across North Carolina.”
Dean Gregory Chadwick shared that the Foundation’s investment will support ECU’s special care dentistry program and educational opportunities for the school’s dental students.
“Our goal is not to make every graduate an expert in special care dentistry, but to ensure that our students and our graduates are better prepared and more confident in caring for these patients,” said Chadwick. “The influence of an outstanding educator or mentor expands into the communities our graduates will practice in for decades.”
Wake Technical Community College is among the Foundation’s inaugural grantees. Dr. Scott Ralls, the college’s President, explained that the investment in its dental hygiene and dental assisting programs will help prepare more students for careers in oral health.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Delta Dental Foundation for investing in Wake Tech and our students,” said Ralls. “This support will help us expand opportunities for students to enter rewarding careers while preparing more dental professionals to serve our growing community. It’s a powerful example of how education, workforce development and access to care can come together to create greater economic mobility.”
For Triad Adult and Pediatric Medicine, the Foundation’s support is helping break down barriers to oral care for adults and children. Interim Director Dr. Anabec DeShield-Mayes described why that work extends beyond treatment:
“Access doesn’t just begin when a patient sits in the dental chair. Access begins when someone answers the phone and continues until that patient receives the care they need. Removing barriers and helping patients navigate the system is just as important as the treatment itself.”
Wake County Department of Public Health Director Dr. Rebecca Sykes shared how Smiles for Kids’ support and partnership are making a difference for local families. Thanks to the Foundation’s support, more than 5,000 sealants have been placed on permanent and primary molars for children in the county at no cost to families.
“For families with limited income, dental care often takes a back seat to essentials like housing, food, and transportation. Together, these efforts reduce financial barriers, support the establishment of a dental home, and foster lifelong oral health habits.”
Sustaining progress takes more than one-time funding. Ladig emphasized that the Foundation aims to build both care capacity and the professional pipeline to meet North Carolina’s oral health needs.
“Expanding access takes lasting commitment and strong partnerships,” said Ladig. “This investment is a starting point that helps communities meet immediate needs while preparing the dental professionals who will care for our growing state for years to come."