ADEA Launches Pathways to Smiles Program in Collaboration With 13 AHEC Sites Nationwide

May 7, 2025 — The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) announces the launch of Pathways to Smiles, a groundbreaking immersive training program designed to expand oral health awareness and inspire the next generation of oral health professionals by engaging underserved and underrepresented high school students.

Generously funded by Delta Dental and in collaboration with the National Area Health Education Centers Organization (NAO), this pilot initiative will be implemented in partnership with 13 Area Health Education Center (AHEC) sites across the United States, each playing a vital role in strengthening pathways into the health professions workforce.

The inaugural Pathways to Smiles AHEC sites and locations include:

• Area L AHEC—Rocky Mount, NC,
• Central Louisiana AHEC—Alexandria, LA,
• Eastern Shore AHEC—Cambridge, MD,
• North Central Wisconsin AHEC—Wausau, WI,
• South Central Kentucky AHEC—Bowling Green, KY,
• South Central Montana AHEC—Helena, MT,
• Southeastern Primary Care Consortium, Inc., Atlanta AHEC—Atlanta, GA,
• Southern New Hampshire AHEC—Raymond, NH,
• Southern Vermont AHEC—Springfield, VT,
• Southwest Washington Area AHEC—Olympia, WA,
• West Central Missouri AHEC—Lexington, MO,
• West River AHEC—Box Elder, SD, and
• Wiregrass Alabama AHEC—Dothan, AL.

This collaboration between ADEA and the AHEC sites builds on shared goals to reduce health disparities and strengthen pathways into dentistry and allied oral health careers. AHECs are uniquely positioned to support local communities, especially in rural and underserved areas where access to oral health education and resources is often limited, serving as a vital bridge between education and practice. The inaugural Pathways to Smiles curriculum, developed by a national advisory workgroup of oral health educators, K–12 teachers, health professions pathway program leaders, and AHEC professionals, will be implemented across the 13 AHEC sites between May 1 and Dec. 1, 2025.

“By increasing early exposure and access to oral health career pathways for high school students ages 14 to 18, the Pathways to Smiles program aims to break down systemic barriers to entering the profession,” said Karen P. West, D.M.D., M.P.H., ADEA President and CEO.

“Rooted in ADEA’s mission and strategic commitment to strengthening pathways into oral health careers, academic, and research, this program empowers students to see themselves as future leaders and change agents in a field where their representation is urgently needed. By reaching students at a formative stage, Pathways to Smiles helps cultivate a more representative and future-ready oral health workforce that reflects the communities it serves.”

This initiative is pivotal as dental health professional shortage areas (HPSAs) continue to expand across the United States. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, as of May 2025, nearly 60 million Americans reside in 7,057 designated HPSAs, with an estimated 10,143 additional oral health practitioners needed to meet current demand. By engaging youth early and within their local communities, ADEA and its AHEC grantee partners are advancing long-term workforce development strategies that foster accessibility, community engagement, and sustainability in the future of oral health.

About AHECs

Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) are federally funded programs designed to enhance access to health care and improve the health of underserved populations through education and workforce development. They serve as a bridge between academic institutions and local communities, particularly in rural and underserved areas. AHECs focus on recruiting, training, and retaining health professionals by offering hands-on experiences, mentorship, and community-based learning opportunities. Their work plays a vital role in strengthening the health workforce pathway and addressing regional health disparities.

For more information, visit nationalahec.org.

About the Delta Dental Institute

The Delta Dental Institute is dedicated to advancing oral health for all Americans in partnership with Delta Dental companies and dedicated organizations across the country. With expertise rooted in Delta Dental's rich history of oral health leadership, we engage in and support oral health research, community outreach, and advocacy, striving to ensure that everyone understands the importance of oral health to overall health and has access to the care they need.

Visit deltadentalinstitute.com for more information.

About Delta Dental Plans Association

Based in Chicago, Delta Dental Plans Association is the not-for-profit national association of the 39 independent Delta Dental companies. Through these companies, Delta Dental is the nation's largest dental benefits provider, and offers the country’s largest dental network with approximately 154,000 participating dentists. Over the last decade, Delta Dental companies and their foundations invested nearly $2 billion to improve the oral and overall health of our communities.