17 April 2023

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Envista Smile Project donates $50,000 to Dr. Robert Tanner Freeman Scholarship

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The Dental Trade Alliance (DTA) Foundation announced on April 5 that the Envista Smile Project has donated $50,000 to the Dr. Robert Tanner Freeman Scholarship, which aims to increase diversity in the dental field. Envista’s contribution aligns with its philanthropic mission to improve the smiles and oral health of disadvantaged communities by supporting increased access to oral care and oral health education. 

People of color are significantly underrepresented among the dentist and hygienist workforces. According to a Journal of American Dental Association study, “Elevating Dentistry Through Diversity,” dental schools today have student populations that are more diverse but still do not reflect the current U.S. population. Researchers said that things do “not seem to be moving in that direction.”

According to the news release, the Dr. Robert Tanner Freeman Scholarship aims to change that by providing scholarships to underrepresented minorities looking to start their dental education. The initiative was established by the DTA Foundation in June 2021, in partnership with the UNCF (United Negro College Fund), to increase diversity and improve access to the oral health care profession.

Sarah Miller, executive director of the DTA Foundation, said in the news release that Black dentists are underrepresented in the U.S. 

“That is why the support of this scholarship is crucial for diversifying the dental field,” she said. 

Launched in July 2021, Envista Smile Project is a philanthropic foundation dedicated to providing oral health education to underserved communities worldwide. In 2022, the non-profit organization donated more than $650,000 in charitable giving. In 2022, the Smile Project also:

• Provided free dental care to more than 600 patients in need in the Dominican Republic.
• Donated goods for cleaning, cavity prevention and treatment, and consumables to Heartland Dental, supporting their “Free Dentistry Day.”
• Partnered with the Special Olympics, New Jersey, providing access to a Nomad portable x-ray.

“We are proud to support the Dr. Robert Tanner Freeman Scholarship and to empower the future generation of students pursuing a career in dentistry,” said Amir Aghdaei, Envista CEO and Envista Smile Project chairman. “We look forward to seeing how these students will make a positive difference in dentistry for years to come.”