Seattle, WA – Up to 15 girls from the Kent, WA, YMCA will spend the day on Saturday at the Seattle Storm WNBA facility learning the basics of dentistry with representatives from Delta Dental of Washington.
The event is part of the Seattle Storm’s Storm Academy, in which the WNBA team provides opportunities for young women in the community to gain exposure to STEM careers through clinics, classes, and events. Delta Dental of Washington’s Dental Professional Pathways program partners with the Storm Academy for two events each year that focus, specifically, on the oral healthcare industry.
As Washington’s leading – and only not-for-profit – dental benefits provider, Delta Dental of Washington is driven by a mission to create a cavity-free Washington by increasing access to oral health resources across the state. Supporting the training of a new generation of dentists is a centerpiece of a strategy that will result in a more diverse and localized dental workforce.
Delta Dental of Washington’s Workforce Training Program was designed to help address the imbalance of representation in the dental profession and partners with the Seattle Storm’s Storm Academy to reach a wider audience of potential new dentists and hygienists.
Racial and ethnic diversity among health professionals is linked to improved health outcomes and to achieving greater health equity. But, according to the American Dental Association, only 5.9% of dentists in the US are Hispanic and 3.8% are black.
During Saturday’s event, attendees will hear from active dental professionals, learn about basic dental procedures, and be introduced to the different roles and professions found in a dental office.
Since the Dental Professional Pathways pilot began last year, the program has reached over 800 youth. For more information, visit deltadentalwa.com.
