Conference Scholarships

Getting dental students out of the classroom and into the venues where they can learn more about public health dentistry and caring for people with disabilities can be prohibitively expensive.

That’s where the Delta Dental Foundation (DDF) comes in. As part of our commitment to workforce development, we’re now offering grants to send dental students from select student groups in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana to conferences that teach them how to meet everyone’s comfort level and abilities across the lifespan.

Application Details

Before you apply, here’s what you need to know:

• The application must be submitted by the group’s faculty adviser, and funds will be dispersed directly to the dental school. Students may not apply individually.
• The name of each attending student must be listed in the application along with their year. Each student must be a member of the applicable student group.
• As part of the funding, each of your attending students agree to submit photos, videos and a written reflection within three months of the conference.
• Applicants must submit a detailed budget that lists travel, room and registration costs. Requests must be reasonable and cannot exceed $10,000.
• Funding will cover conference registrations and travel fees only.
• Students attending NOHC will be required to attend a dinner hosted by the Delta Dental Foundation.

Eligible Conferences and Meetings

Student groups may choose from the conferences below.

• February 19-20, 2025, AIDPH (Chicago, IL).
• March 20-23, 2025, SCDA Annual Meeting (Orlando, FL)
• April 7-9, 2025, NOHC (Orlando, FL).
• June 5-8, 2025, AADMD (Scottsdale, AZ)
• June 23-25, 2025, AAIDD (Washington, DC)
• July 18-20, 2025, RDH UnderOneRoof (Dallas, TX)
• August 17-19, 2025, Community Health Institute & Expo - NACHC (Chicago, IL)
• October 4-6, 2025, ADHA, (Long Beach, CA)
• October 23-25, 2025, SmileCon (Washington, DC)
• November 9-12, 2025, NNOHA (San Antonio, TX)

Awards

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. Applications for the below programs will open on Feb. 11!

Public Health Dentist Loan Repayment Program

Offered by the Delta Dental Foundation

Dentists who are committed to practicing in public health by working at a nonprofit dental clinic in Michigan, Ohio or Indiana can apply for up to $25,000 in annual loan repayment for up to three years (up to $75,000 total).