Professor Beatty Named a 2021 Health Equity Hero by DentaQuest

Professor Beatty Named a 2021 Health Equity Hero by DentaQuest

The University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry is pleased to congratulate Professor Marsha Wilkes Beatty, BS, MPH, on being named a 2021 Health Equity Hero by DentaQuest for her efforts in preserving access to better equitable oral health care. 

Prof. Beatty has long been a champion for oral health in Oklahoma and across the United States. In her role at the College of Dentistry, she serves as Assistant Professor of Research in the Community Dentistry Division and director of the Senior Externship Program, which provides students with hands-on clinical education experience in rural and underserved communities throughout Oklahoma, where access to dental care remains a particular challenge. 

“The college is proud of Professor Marsha Wilkes Beatty and congratulates her on being recognized as a Health Equity Hero,” said Raymond A. Cohlmia, D.D.S., dean of the OU College of Dentistry. “Her commitment to making dental care affordable and accessible to all embodies the spirit of our college. Her efforts have made for better educational opportunities for our students and have positively impacted communities across Oklahoma.”

Prof. Beatty is also the Chair of the Oklahoma Oral Health Coalition (OOHC), an organization aimed at advancing the oral health of Oklahomans through collaboration, coordination and education.

Many Oklahomans lack access to adequate dental care. As thousands become eligible to receive dental benefits through Medicaid expansion, Prof. Beatty is providing leadership for coalition partners and stakeholders to create the state’s first strategic oral health plan since 2009. 

DentaQuest, a purpose-driven oral health care company dedicated to improving the oral health of all, announced its 2021 Health Equity Heroes: Champions of the Pandemic. Now in its seventh year, the DentaQuest Health Equity Hero program celebrates individuals who preserve access to equitable oral care and health care for all. This year, DentaQuest chose heroes who assisted those most at-risk during the pandemic and who continue to expand that access today.  

In addition to celebrating and promoting the contributions of the 2021 Health Equity Heroes, DentaQuest is providing a $5,000 charitable contribution in the name of each hero to a nonprofit of their choice.  

Prof. Beatty is dividing her award funds among multiple nonprofits, including Neighborhood Services Organization, Good Shepherd Ministries, Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma, Oklahoma Dental Foundation, Inc., and the OOHC.  

For the full list of 2021 DentaQuest Health Equity Heroes, click here.

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COLLEGE OF DENTISTRY

The OU College of Dentistry is home to the state’s only doctor of dental surgery program and baccalaureate degree program in dental hygiene. More than 60 percent of the state of Oklahoma’s dentists are graduates of the OU College of Dentistry. The college provides general dental care and specialty care to Oklahomans through student, resident and faculty practice clinics. The OU College of Dentistry has established a reputation of training its students to provide the highest quality of clinical care available.

About DentaQuest

DentaQuest is a purpose-driven oral health care company dedicated to improving the oral health of all. We do this through Preventistry® – our all-in approach to better care, expanded access, value-based financing, and innovative solutions. We manage dental and vision benefits for 30+ million Americans and direct patient care through our network of more than 75 oral health centers in 6 states. We provide outcomes-based, cost-effective dental solutions for Medicaid and CHIP, Medicare Advantage, small and large businesses, and individuals nationwide. And, we've invested more than $230 million in grants, programs and other corporate citizenship efforts to achieve measurably healthier communities across the country. By advancing prevention-focused oral health, we will achieve better overall health for everyone. Learn more at www.DentaQuest.com and follow on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.