Our Mission As the first company to specialize in dental benefits, we are passionate about oral health and its importance to future generations. Our core purpose is the advancement of oral healthcare to our customers, partners and consumers through the dental benefits programs and philanthropic efforts of our 39 independent member companies. Delta Dental: A History of Dental Expertise We are proud to be the largest and most experienced dental benefits carrier in the country. In 1954, dentists who recognized the need to increase access to oral healthcare formed dental service organizations in California, Oregon and Washington. Led by Washington Dental Service (WDS), we began to create the future definition of dental benefits with programs for organized labor unions. In 1966, these local organizations joined in the creation of Delta Dental Plans Association in order to coordinate dental benefits programs for customers with employees in multiple states. A year later, WDS partnered with the International Association of Machinists, creating the first multi-state dental benefits program and beginning a cycle of continued growth and expansion for Delta Dental. To meet the needs of clients with out of state subscribers, WDS worked with other Delta Dental member companies and Blue Cross/Blue Shield Association members, continuing to serve its clients this way through the late 1980’s. When Delta Dental of California was chosen as the dental benefits provider for the Office of the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services (OCHAMPUS) program, other Delta Dental member companies agreed to share their provider data to centralize the administration of this large account. This change resulted in the creation of the NPF, and in 1990, the establishment of DeltaUSA. DeltaUSA is the company responsible for overseeing our provider data and enabling the administration of national business. Today, Delta Dental Plans Association is comprised of 39 independent Delta Dental member companies operating in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. These member companies provide coverage to 46 million people, enrolled in over 81,000 groups. Delta Dental continues its commitment to: Expand access to oral healthcare Use our dental expertise to provide the highest quality care to our customers Provide dependable service to respond to the needs of our customers Offer all the innovation, service and multi-state networks of a national carrier, but with an understanding of the unique oral health challenges and needs of the community where you live.