Bulletin of Dental Education Article

The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) is pleased to announce the expansion of its Pathways to Smiles program. Generously supported for a second year by Delta Dental through its Delta Dental Future Workforce Fund, Pathways to Smiles is an immersive, community-based initiative designed to increase awareness of oral health careers and support early career exploration among students ages 14–18.

Delivered in partnership with Area Health Education Centers (AHECs), the program emphasizes the critical connection between oral and overall health and provides participants with a clear academic pathway into the oral health professions.

Building on the success of its inaugural year, during which 1,261 students across 13 states participated, the expanded initiative will partner with 26 AHEC sites in 2026, effectively doubling its reach and impact. These additional sites represent a broad geographic footprint and will play a critical role in advancing local workforce development through programming tailored to the needs of their communities.

Read the full list of the 26 AHEC sites and press release here.

Published on March 11, 2026