Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
As the nation's largest dental insurance provider, we at Delta Dental believe we have a responsibility to help create a more equitable society. We have been deeply involved in the communities we serve, guided by a promise to improve the oral and overall health of all Americans. As part of that promise, Delta Dental's nationwide network of 39 independent companies is committed to continually advancing diversity, equity and inclusion and addressing the needs of diverse communities through holistic efforts. As such, the national Delta Dental association and all of its 39 member companies have unanimously adopted the following guiding principles:
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An inclusive workplace
At Delta Dental, we strive to foster an inclusive workplace environment—one where all our employees, customers and oral health professionals are treated with respect and their diversity is celebrated. Everyone should be able to operate free from discrimination, prejudice or any other form of hate. We are committed to creating a trusting and inclusive culture that encourages dialogue and openness. Our goal is for every employee to thrive, feel like they belong and know they can bring their whole selves to work. -
Strength in diversity
We value the unique experiences and identities that each employee in the Delta Dental System brings to our team. This diversity is one of our greatest assets. Delta Dental is committed to recruiting and developing talent from a diverse candidate pool and ensuring our company's leaders reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. -
Our commitment to vendor and partner diversity
Our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion extends to everyone who helps make our work possible—including our vendors and partners. Delta Dental is committed to supporting a more equitable and accessible business environment by increasing opportunities for diverse vendors and partners. -
Ensuring equitable access to oral health care through research, advocacy and community impact initiatives
Current racial and socioeconomic disparities in oral health outcomes are unacceptable, and we believe it is essential to use every tool at our disposal to understand and solve this challenge. We are committed to supporting research, advocacy and community impact initiatives that improve access to oral health care, especially in underserved communities, so that every person—no matter their background or identity—has access to quality and affordable health care. -
Our commitment to a more diverse oral health workforce
We believe it is critical that our country's oral health professionals reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. Delta Dental is committed to helping build a more inclusive pipeline of oral health professionals through our community impact initiatives and business operations. -
Our commitment to accountability
We commit to holding ourselves accountable to these standards and driving positive change. Moving forward, we will regularly assess these principles and our adherence to them. We will share regular updates with our board of directors and employees. We will create a culture of sharing and learning from our challenges and successes. And we will continually evolve and enhance our DEI initiatives to help create a more equitable society.