Dental Scholarships and Student Award Opportunities

Every year, the DDF provides scholarships and awards to students who demonstration excellent academic and leadership skills and who exhibit a passion for dentistry. Since 1980, the DDF has awarded more than 800 scholarships and awards. Many of the recipients have reached out to improve oral health care in communities in need around the world.

Diversity Dental Student Scholarships

Evidence suggests minority patients receive better care from providers who look like they do. But despite accounting for more than one-third of the U.S. population, fewer than 10 percent of dentists are Black, Hispanic, or Indigenous according to the American Dental Association.

With the goal of making dental education more accessible, helping to diversify the dental profession, and improving oral health equity, the DDF launched this new, $25,000 Diversity Dental Scholarship. Given annually, this scholarship will be awarded to a student from a systemically disadvantaged racial and ethnic background entering dental school. The scholarships are given to one student from Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, the Ohio State University College of Dentistry, the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, Indiana University School of Dentistry, and the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. Students interested in any of these scholarships should contact their dental school for more information.

Dental Hygiene Scholarships 

In 2013, the DDF launched the Delta Dental Foundation Dental Hygiene Scholarship program for students at select schools in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana who are pursuing a degree in dental hygiene. Recipients are selected by each school.

Community Commitment Awards

The $25,000 Community Commitment Award, given annually, helps increase access to dental care in areas of high need. The awards are given to one student from Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, the Ohio State University College of Dentistry, the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, Indiana University School of Dentistry, and the University of Michigan School of Dentistry. Each of the five award recipients will receive the award in two payments for committing to practice in a designated health professional shortage area in the state in which they attended dental school for at least one year immediately following graduation. Recipients are selected by the dean of their school of dentistry.

Patrick P. Gribben Jr. Community Commitment Award

This $25,000 award was established in 2014 to honor the memory of Patrick P. Gribben Jr., who served for 25 years as the president and chief executive officer of Delta Dental of Michigan and later as president of the Delta Dental Foundation. The award is given to one student graduating from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry who commits to practice in a designated health professional shortage area in Michigan for at least one year immediately following graduation. Recipients are selected by the dean of their school of dentistry.