Dentsply Sirona recently announced a partnership with the National Dental Association (NDA), rejoining the organization’s Corporate Round Table at a Platinum level.
The partnership will help fund NDA programs and support opportunities to provide minority communities with access to quality dental education.
NDA is a non-profit organization that promotes oral health equity among people of color, according to a press release, advocating for the needs of and mentoring dental students of color, and raising the profile of the profession in local communities.
The partnership is aligned with Dentsply Sirona’s corporate values of diversity and inclusion, with its sustainability strategy BEYOND, and the company’s efforts to build a pipeline for dental practitioners of color.
NDA supports a network of more than 7,000 minority dentists and provides them with education, support and programs. The organization focuses on supporting youth in underserved communities to pursue a career in dentistry through STEM programs, help with college loans and campus visits. It also helps academies with lower means gain access to top-level dental material for their students.
The new agreement was led by Dentsply Sirona’s Black Organization for Leadership & Development (BOLD) employee resource group (ERG) and builds on a long collaboration between the two organizations. Dentsply Sirona is a founding member of the NDA Corporate Round Table, an advisory group made up of top companies in the dental industry designed to strengthen the organization’s growth and development. Jennifer Landgren, founder and chairperson of the BOLD ERG, will act as Dentsply Sirona’s representative for the Corporate Round Table.
“We are thrilled to enter a new era of partnership with Dentsply Sirona as we advance our shared mission to promote diversity and inclusion within the dental industry,” NDA President Dr. Marlon D. Henderson said, according to the release. “It is fantastic to have the support of an industry leader as we look to increase our reach and impact within minority communities. With Dentsply Sirona’s innovative solutions and significant experience in dental education, we can ensure that minority communities have access to excellent dental education and care.”
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