The Delta Dental enterprise contributed $930,000 in 2006 in support of dental education, community dental outreach and dental research.

• The largest portion of the contributions, about $460,000, was committed over the course of the year to various dental schools and students across the country.
• A scholarship program for Hispanic students was among the new programs launched this year, directing $30,000 to students at three different California dental schools.
• Next year, the program expands to include students in Florida, Georgia, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas.

“Scholarships are an ideal way to nurture careers in dentistry that we hope will create greater access to care for those with unmet dental needs,” says Gary D. Radine, president and CEO of Delta Dental.

Delta Dental also directed nearly $370,000 this year to dental clinics and community dental outreach organizations across the country that provide services to those who lack access to affordable care — predominantly low-income, working families.

Among the total contributions made by the enterprise:

• $460,000 to dental schools and students across the country (including $30,000 to Hispanic dental students)
• $370,000 to dental clinics and for community dental outreach organizations
• $75,000 grant for an evidence-based dentistry study to be conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles, and the University of Florida.