A $1 million gift to the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry from the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of California, will support highly qualified prospective dental students who have financial need or are facing hardship.

The gift establishes the Delta Dental Endowed Scholarship for Opportunity, designed to make a dental education more accessible by providing funding to a minimum of two dental students each year, with a preference for students who have demonstrated an interest working in underserved communities.

“We are grateful to the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation for this investment in the future of our profession and the impact it will make on the lives of our students,” said Nader A. Nadershahi, dean of the Dugoni School of Dentistry. “These funds will make a difference for many years to come. We look forward to supporting our talented and deserving students who are committed to working with patients and communities in need.”

The first two scholarships were recently awarded to the inaugural recipients.

“The partnership helps us achieve our broader mutual goals of bettering the oral health and wellness of our communities by fostering greater inclusivity and increasing educational opportunities for those training for careers in the dental field,” said Kenzie Ferguson, vice president of foundation and corporate social responsibility for Delta Dental of California.

The Dugoni School has received other funding from the foundation in recent years, including grants to support a patient emergency fund and provide care for military veterans and individuals with intellectual and development disabilities. Most recently in 2022, the foundation awarded an Access to Care Grant to support the Pacific Health Care Collaborative, a unique interprofessional health care initiative that will be located in Sacramento.