American Dental Education Association (ADEA)

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.

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.  

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.