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65 B U S I N E S S P RO F I L E S B U S I N E S S P R O F I L E S S P E C I A L A D V E R T I S I N G S E C T I O N access to oral health care. Nationally, Delta Dental covers more than 73 million Americans and donates more than $50 million annually to oral health programs and services in communities across the country. Northeast Delta Dental's independent, not-for-profit status provides a framework for community investments, allowing it the freedom to make their own giving decisions—deliberately and generously. Community involvement is fundamental to its corporate culture. In 1995, Northeast Delta Dental established the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation, which awards grants to oral health initiatives in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont that provide oral health education and make dental services more accessible. Delta Dental Plans of Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont contribute a percentage of their net revenue each year. e Foundation also benefits from its largest fundraiser, the urston J. Carpenter Memorial Golf Tournament, hosted annually. "As we've prospered, our ability to award grants has expanded," said Director of Marketing and Communications, Kathleen Walker, APR, who directs the foundation. Earlier this year, the Foundation awarded grants totaling $107,659 to nine Maine oral health programs. In 2016, its overall giving total was nearly $376,000. Northeast Delta Dental has consistently supported the New York University College of Dental Medicine outreach program to Washington County, now serving Pleasant Point in addition to Machias. e incidence of caries (tooth decay) has dropped significantly in Washington County. However, Northeast Delta Dental wanted to do more to address the underlying cause of unmet dental needs in underserved areas: the shortage of dentists. Fifteen of Maine's 16 counties are classified as Dental Health Professional Shortage areas. Over 300,000 Mainers live in these areas, and an estimated 65% of them have unmet dental needs. In 2008, the University of New England (UNE), in Portland, located in the largest geographic area of the country without a dental school, approved the academic program for the Doctor of Dental Medicine degree. William Chance, UNE's Vice President of Institutional Advancement, said of the success of the College of Dental Medicine on the occasion of its first graduating class: "Delta Dental Plan of Maine led the way with a critical $2 million leadership gift, followed by corporate gifts from its sister plans in New Hampshire and Vermont. e Northeast Delta Dental Foundation also contributed a generous pledge. Together, their $2.3 million investment has been foundational to this ambitious initiative and means a bright future for oral health in Maine and beyond." Northeast Delta Dental continues to invest in UNE, its students, and its graduates through a $600,000 scholarship and loan repayment program it developed. ree graduates were selected to receive loan repayment awards of $22,500 each to support their work in rural areas. Delta Dental Plan of Maine also established a $2 million donor- advised fund at Maine Community Foundation, designating the first $80,000 to be paid out at $20,000 per year for four years to a dentist practicing in an underserved area, selected by the Finance Authority of Maine through its Dental Education Loan Repayment Program. As much as Northeast Delta Dental cares about the availability of oral health education and dental services, the company's caring doesn't stop there. Many of Northeast Delta Dental's community sponsorships are long-standing and high-profile— for example, TD Bank's Beach to Beacon 10K, the beneficiaries of which change yearly. However, they proactively look for nonprofits that need help. ey've given support recently to the Susan L. Curtis Charitable Foundation as an investment in Camp Susan Curtis, with a mission to "ensure that economically disadvantaged Maine youth develop the individual character, self-confidence, and skills essential to becoming independent, contributing citizens. Because every child matters for the future of Maine." Northeast Delta Dental has been recognized for its business practices and positive work environment, most notably by Great Place to Work Institute® and the Society for Human Resource Management for five consecutive years as One of the 25 Best Small Companies to Work for in America, and by Business NH Magazine for six years as One of the 10 Best Companies to Work for in New Hampshire. In 2010, the Rotary Club of Saco Bay recognized Northeast Delta Dental's support of the University of New England College of Dental Medicine, and for supporting other oral health awareness and access initiatives. Northeast Delta Dental operates in a corporate environment built upon high trust and mutual respect, is values-driven, and successfully balances profitability with social responsibility. e company's vision is "to be a world-class benefits company that is community-focused"—something that they make very apparent in Maine. l P H O T O C O U R T E S Y O F N O R T H E A S T D E LT A D E N T A L Left: From left, Director of Marketing & Communications Kathleen B. Walker, APR; Chief Dental Officer Michel E. Couret, DDS; CEO of Community Dental Lisa Kavanaugh; and Senior Vice President, Delta Dental Plan of Maine, Francis Boucher, at the Community Dental Portland Open House in November 2016. Northeast Delta Dental supported Community Dental's expansion to allow them to serve more patients in the Greater Portland area, including some of Maine's underserved. Right: Northeast Delta Dental's Sales & Marketing team in Saco is represented by six employees who are deeply-rooted Mainers. From left, Sales Executive Matt Lemay, Senior Account Manager Cindy Locke, Maine Market Manager Marie Bridges, Senior Sales Executive Brian Staples, Senior Marketing Support Specialist Jaimi Findlay, and Senior Account Manager Heather Lauridsen. Northeast Delta Dental regularly shares oral health information with the general public and its group customers. Grin! Magazine is a quarterly electronic publication featuring a variety of helpful and educational articles which explain the importance of good oral health. P H O T O S C O U R T E S Y O F N O R T H E A S T D E LT A D E N T A L

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