Delta Dental of Virginia donates $3M to dentists

Funds will be used to provide PPE for dental workers

Published May 27, 2020 by Sydney Lake

Through its nonprofit foundation, Delta Dental of Virginia will donate $3 million directly to 4,500 dentists in its network to cover expenses related to the coronavirus pandemic, the dental insurance provider announced Wednesday. Practices can use the funds for personal protective equipment (PPE) for their employees. Gov. Ralph Northam lifted restrictions on doctors’ and dentists’ offices earlier this month, allowing them to resume non-emergency procedures.

“We know dentists need access to funds as soon as possible to meet new safety precautions,” Delta Dental of Virginia president and CEO Frank Lucia said in a statement. “We’re empathetic to dentists and patients alike who remain concerned about how and when to safely return to the dentist office. Quickly supporting dentists is crucial to ensuring patients receive the oral health care they need, when they need it.”

The American Dental Association issued guidance on March 17 that recommended postponing elective procedures, and on March 25, Northam issued an executive order to postpone all elective treatments and surgeries. Virginia dentists started opening their offices for routine dental care on May 1.

Some of the guidance provided from the ADA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention includes limiting the number of patients in the office at once, requesting that patients wear masks and have their temperatures taken, adding protective barriers and wearing PPE during procedures.

Founded in 1964, Delta Dental of Virginia is a dental benefits provider which offers dental plans to more than 2 million members. Its foundation was established in 2012 and focuses on initiatives to improve oral health and access to care.