UPIKE Newsroom

The Delta Dental of Kentucky Foundation is investing in the future of oral health in Eastern Kentucky with a $2.35 million donation to the University of Pikeville’s Tanner College of Dental Medicine. The gift includes funding to fully outfit a new pediatric dental clinic and establish a scholarship for students who aspire to become dentists and help fill a great need, especially in Eastern Kentucky.

This is the largest single donation in the foundation’s history, helping fulfill its mission to improve oral health and quality of life for all Kentuckians. The Delta Dental of Kentucky Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of Kentucky, the state’s leading dental benefits provider.

The clinic will anchor the college’s clinical education program, providing hands-on experience for students while expanding care for children across Appalachia. Tanner College broke ground in October 2024 and is expected to open in 2026, becoming just the third dental school in the state and the first located in Eastern Kentucky.

Kentucky currently ranks 43rd of 50 states for overall child dental care and 48th for children ages 0 to 5, highlighting a critical need for early intervention and preventive treatment. The clinic will treat children regardless of insurance status or ability to pay, offering a much-needed option for families who currently have limited or no access to care.

“This gift represents who we are and what we stand for,” said Brian Hart, vice president and chief revenue officer of Delta Dental of Kentucky. “Pediatric dental care is one of the greatest unmet needs in Eastern Kentucky. By supporting this clinic we’re helping remove barriers to care and creating opportunities for future dentists to stay and serve in places that have gone without consistent care for too long.”

Dr. Jill Keaton, dean of the Tanner College of Dental Medicine, said the clinic’s role in both care and training will be central to the school’s mission.

“This clinic gives students the opportunity to learn by doing, working directly with patients while gaining the skills they’ll need to serve in rural and underserved areas,” Keaton said. “At the same time, we’re reaching children early and giving them access to dental care they might not otherwise receive.”

Scholarship will strengthen local pipeline of providers

The scholarship for aspiring dentists, funded by the Delta Dental of Kentucky Foundation, will complement its earlier funding of Big Sandy Community and Technical College and its dental hygienists training program in nearby Paintsville.

“Students who train in dentistry here at UPIKE can combine with the hygienist training happening at Big Sandy to create a holistic and sustainable pipeline of dental health professionals to serve the region,” Hart said.

University of Pikeville President Burton Webb, Ph.D., said Delta Dental’s contribution will help grow the local economy.

“These scholarships will help us grow the dental workforce right here at home,” said Webb. “When students have the chance to study and train in their own communities, they’re far more likely to stay, open up practices, and serve our region. That’s the kind of impact that transforms a place.”

The Delta Dental of Kentucky Foundation has contributed more than $23 million to improve oral health access since its creation in 2015, with at least 70 percent of its annual funding directed to dental treatment and education programs. In Eastern Kentucky, its support has included funding for mobile dental units, oral health education, dentures, mouthguards, and recovery assistance for families impacted by flooding. Earlier this year, Delta Dental contributed to UPIKE’s Family Flood Support Emergency Fund, further strengthening its relationship with the university and the areas it serves.

With Delta Dental’s gift, total philanthropic support for the Tanner College of Dental Medicine has reached $35.1 million. That includes a $25 million donation from the Tanner family, along with additional private contributions.

For more information about the Tanner College of Dental Medicine, visit upike.edu/dental-medicine. To learn more about Delta Dental of Kentucky and its Foundation, visit www.deltadentalky.com.