GEHA Solutions Supports Increased Diversity Through Oral Health Equity Scholarships
GEHA | August 26, 2024
Today, Government Employees Health Association, Inc. (“GEHA,” pronounced G.E.H.A.) and GEHA Solutions, one of the nation’s leading dental network leasing companies via GEHA Connection Dental Network, announced their continued dedication to address oral health inequities. To actively address the causes of population health disparities within the dental and dental hygiene industries, GEHA Solutions will expand its funding and partnerships with the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry, BrownGirl, RDH and Diversity in Dentistry Mentorships.
In 2024, GEHA Solutions has:
- Provided $220,000 for 29 scholarships and fellowships to the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry to bridge the financial divide for students from historically disadvantaged backgrounds and who commit to advancing oral health equity.
- Invested $75,000 for BrownGirl, RDH, to empower a more culturally diverse dental hygiene workforce through 26 collegiate scholarships and annual conference/continuing education funding for practicing registered dental hygienists.
- Partnered with Diversity in Dentistry Mentorships to strengthen the pathway from middle school to dental school for youth and pre-dental students from underrepresented racial and ethnic backgrounds throughout America, including a $5,000 GEHA grant.
“This investment from GEHA Solutions marks a significant milestone in expanding oral health equity and is a continuation of groundwork laid years ago," said Steven Haas, dean of the UMKC School of Dentistry. "This funding is not only an investment in the immediate future; it represents a deep-seated commitment to sustaining our efforts toward achieving oral health equity. It signifies GEHA Solutions’ faith in our goal of providing the community with highly skilled and caring dental professionals for years to come. By enabling more students to pursue and complete their dental education while reducing their debt, we are setting the stage for long-term improvements in oral healthcare access and outcomes."
"Oral health is critical to overall well-being – both mental and physical – as it has significant impacts on a person’s life," adds Martelle Coke, RDH, CEO/Founder, BrownGirl, RDH. “We are focused not only on enhancing the skills of hygienists through comprehensive continuing education and robust support systems but also on diversifying the industry and increasing access. Our goal is for people to receive exceptional care from providers they feel safe with, such as GEHA Connection Dental Network."
"We are working hard to plant the seed of possibility in those who don't see themselves represented in dentistry, ensuring that our profession is truly inclusive for all, especially those from historically underrepresented groups,” said Laila Hishaw, DDS, FACD, FICD, Founder and President, Diversity In Dentistry Mentorships, Inc. “Thank you, GEHA and GEHA Solutions, for believing in our mission, amplifying our voice, and powering our mentorship programs. Together, we can strike a balance in the dental workforce and achieve greater oral health equity."
Oral health equity is a vital issue that demands urgent attention. According to CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, 93% of individuals living in poverty have unmet dental needs, compared with only 58% in high-income families. Dentistry is crucial for preventing and managing these health issues. Coupled with dedicated funding, GEHA Solutions offers the GEHA Connection Dental Network – a dental PPO network with over 74,000 providers passionate about mitigating dental health disparities. GEHA Solutions’ aim is to increase accessibility for those in need and alleviate dental health burdens, ultimately creating stronger, healthier communities, and moving one significant step closer toward oral health equity for all.
GEHA is focused on proactively addressing health and access barriers that affect underserved communities. Its sustained oral health funding helps bridge the divide for students from historically marginalized backgrounds, both with educational support and meeting unmet needs in the communities. For example, since November 2022, GEHA has donated more than 128,000 toothbrushes and toothbrush caps to nonprofit partners across America, benefiting a wide range of individuals, including military veterans, survivors of domestic violence and sexual trafficking, the unhoused, youth within the court systems, food equity organizations and families dealing with medical emergency relocations.
“We're not only investing in oral health immediately but also creating networks for the future of dentistry. Our efforts to expand these partnerships reflect our commitment to diversifying the dental landscape,” said Jenna Mills, Vice President at GEHA Solutions. “This funding is a milestone in creating a more equitable healthcare landscape where everyone has access to quality oral care. Together, we are shaping a future where the dental industry mirrors the diverse communities it serves."
ABOUT GEHA
GEHA (Government Employees Health Association, Inc., pronounced G.E.H.A.) is a nonprofit member association that provides medical and dental benefits to more than 2 million federal employees and retirees, military retirees and their families. Offering one of the largest medical and dental benefit provider networks available to federal employees in the United States, GEHA empowers health and wellness by meeting its members where they are, when they need care. The GEHA FEDVIP dental program provides dental benefits to almost 800,000 current and retired U.S. military.
GEHA gained distinctive civic recognition in 2024 by being named one of the Healthiest Employers by the Kansas City Business Journal for prioritizing the health and wellness of their employees. In addition, in 2023, GEHA was recognized by the Stevie 21st Annual American Business Awards® as a Gold winner for the Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year and Bronze winner for an Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility for its work in oral health equity. GEHA is noted by the Globee Award for Leadership for Organizational Achievement – Achieving Excellence in Diversity. GEHA also received the Seal of Accomplishment for Leader in Disability Inclusion from the Center for Disability Inclusion and was acknowledged by the Equality 100 Award for receiving a score of 100 out of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2023 Corporate Equality Index.
Headquartered in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, GEHA is committed to its members and their communities. To learn more, follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram, and visit www.geha.com.
ABOUT GEHA SOLUTIONS, INC.
GEHA Solutions is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of GEHA, established in 1997 to market GEHA's Connection Dental® Network as a solution to lower claims costs for dental payers. Today, GEHA Solutions offers multiple dental PPO networks for lease, as well as a Medicare Advantage Network Option. As one of the nation’s leading dental network leasing companies, GEHA Solutions' network offerings improve accessibility for clients such as third-party administrators, insurance companies and self-insured employer groups. To learn more, follow us on LinkedIn and visit gehasolutions.com.
ABOUT BrownGirl, RDH
Founded in 2018, BrownGirl, RDH (Registered Dental Hygienist) is a non-profit organization promoting cultural diversity within the dental hygiene field. BrownGirl, RDH offers scholarships and supplemental support to dental hygiene students covering costs outside of tuition. These include clinical supplies, equipment, loupes and national and clinical board fees. For more information, visit browngirlrdh.org.
ABOUT The University of Missouri-Kansas City’s School of Dentistry
Located in Kansas City, MO, UMKC School of Dentistry serves as a leader in the advancement of oral healthcare through exceptional educational programs, scientific inquiry, patient care and service to society. For more information, visit dentistry.umkc.edu.
ABOUT Diversity in Dentistry Mentorships
Diversity in Dentistry Mentorships, Inc. is a national nonprofit focused on creating pathways from middle school to dental school for students from historically underrepresented groups to enter the profession. The organization offers hands-on experiences, educational resources, and scholarships to inspire and equip them to pursue dental careers. By leveraging the power of mentorship, they are nurturing the next generation of dental professionals who will better reflect the communities they serve and enhance oral health equity. For more information, visit diversityindentistry.org.