In a gesture that shows Delta Dental’s commitment to helping the next-generation workforce, the company awarded a $100,000 grant to the Brookdale Community College Foundation that will provide scholarships, equipment and job placement support for students in the college’s continuing and professional studies dental assistant and dental radiology programs.
The gift, one of the largest contributions the dental education program has ever received, will have great impact, Brookdale officials said.
Of the total grant, $85,000 will be allocated to fund 70 scholarships for students in the dental assistant and dental radiology programs. These scholarships are designed to make dental education more accessible, with students in the dental assistant program receiving $1,000 scholarships and those in the dental radiology program receiving $1,500 scholarships.
This breakdown ensures that students, regardless of their chosen track, will only have to pay $499 out-of-pocket for their courses, making these essential programs affordable for aspiring dental professionals. Additionally, the grant will fund the purchase of necessary equipment for the dental assistant and dental radiology classes, allowing Brookdale to continue offering cutting-edge training that prepares students for the workforce. The updated equipment will enable students to gain hands-on experience in a state-of-the-art learning environment, further enhancing the quality of their education.
Delta Dental’s grant, guided by its S.M.I.L.E. initiative — Solution-based, Measurement and Impact, Longevity, and Execution — highlights its focus on providing long-term, sustainable funding to address oral healthcare challenges. By investing in the education and training of dental professionals, the grant directly contributes to strengthening the workforce pipeline and improving access to quality dental care, the company said.
Nancy Kaari, vice president of advancement at Brookdale, said the school is thrilled to have this level of support from Delta Dental.
“Their generosity allows us to provide scholarships, equips our classrooms, and strengthens our job placement initiatives,” she said. “This is crucial in ensuring our students are prepared and confident as they enter the dental field.”
Part of the grant funding will also be used to support a portion of a new job placement coordinator role within the CPS department. This coordinator will work closely with students to provide resume assistance, interview preparation, and ongoing support as they transition into their careers. This added resource will be a critical component in ensuring Brookdale graduates are well-prepared for job opportunities in the dental industry.
Brookdale plans to award 40 scholarships this fall, with the remainder distributed through the 2024-2025 fiscal year, coinciding with both the fall and spring semesters.
“Our goal is to ensure that students not only gain the foundational skills in the Dental Assistant program but also have the opportunity to continue into the Dental Radiology program, allowing them to build on their skills and expand their career prospects,” Scott Shanes, manager of health care training at Brookdale, said.
“With the support of Delta Dental’s scholarships, students can apply for both programs, ensuring they have the resources needed to further their education and advance their professional qualifications in the dental field.”
