In April, national health leaders and community providers gathered at Howard University to confront a overlooked but widespread problem: the millions of older adults who lack consistent access to oral health care.

At the center of that conversation is a partnership between the Howard University College of Dentistry, the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation, and Mary’s Center. The collaboration,now in its fourth year, is focused on expanding care for underserved seniors in the Washington, D.C. region. Since its start, the initiative has connected clinical training andcommunity-based care and outreach with a focus on addressing gaps that often leave older adults without consistent dental services.

At the April 15 summit, leaders from each of the foundation’s partnership sites —  Dr. Fadra Whyte in San Diego County, Dr. Sung Sohn in Santa Cruz County and Dr. Inge Ford in the Mississippi Delta, along with Jackson — discussed common concerns about gaps in the system and shared strategies for improving senior oral health care.

“Our clinics have provided care to thousands of underserved patients, while giving students real experience with the complex needs seniors face,” said Andrea D. Jackson, DDS, dean of the College of Dentistry. “Many of these patients are coming to us after years without access to care, and the conditions we see reflect a system that hasn’t met their needs.”

Through the Delta Dental Community Foundation program, Howard dental students rotate through community clinics, including Mary’s Center in D.C., gaining hands-on experience. 

Kevin Ryan, director of the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation, said the Washington partnership model is now informing similar efforts in communities across the country. 

“We knew we needed partners with deep roots in their communities, and there were few better positioned than Howard University and Mary’s Center,” Ryan said. “These are institutions that not only deliver care but help hold up the safety net and train the next generation of providers.”

Candace E. Mitchell, DDS, associate dean and clinical associate professor in the Howard University College of Dentistry, served as the principal investigator on the partnership. She pointed to Howard University and Mary's Center's longstanding relationship which has demonstrated excellence in serving underserved populations, including a significant number of seniors.

At the summit, leaders from each of the foundation’s partnership sites  participated in a panel discussion,—  Dr. Fadra Whyte in San Diego County, Dr. Sung Sohn in Santa Cruz County and Dr. Inge Ford in the Mississippi Delta, along with Dean Jackson — discussed common concerns about gaps in the system and shared strategies for improving senior oral health care.At the summit, leaders from each of the foundation’s partnership sites —  Dr. Fadra Whyte in San Diego County, Dr. Sung Sohn in Santa Cruz County and Dr. Inge Ford in the Mississippi Delta, along with Jackson — discussed common concerns about gaps in the system and shared strategies for improving senior oral health care.

Across the United States, seniors experience high rates of untreated dental disease, often shaped by cost, limited coverage, and gaps in access. According to the foundation, two-thirds of seniors in the U.S. live with gum disease and one in five seniors live with untreated tooth decay. Many live without dental coverage or access to care.

As the U.S. population continues to age, summit participants said the urgency of expanding access to oral health care will only grow. For seniors, the need is immediate. 

Felicia B. Greenfield, a nearly 90-year-old patient receiving care through the College of Dentistry and the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation partnership, said oral health is central to her nutrition, social connections, and overall well-being.

“Well, number one, it benefits me because I’ll be able to eat,” said Greenfield, who lives in Maryland and is currently receiving a full upper denture and a partial lower denture from the College of Dentistry free of charge. 

Living on a fixed income, she said access to affordable care and transportation remains a challenge, underscoring the barriers many seniors face even when services are available.

The College of Dentistry at Howard University is the fifth oldest dental school in the U.S.nited States and the only dental school in the District of Columbia.  The College of Dentistry operates a year-round comprehensive oral health care clinic Monday through Friday. Affordable care is provided to the general public underthe guidance of skilled general dentists, prosthodontists, endodontists, oral and maxillofacial surgeons, periodontists, pedodontists, and orthodontists. 

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