Dental Trade Alliance Foundation

10/08/2026

Meet one of our new recipients of the Gary & Deborah Steinberg Dental Assistant Scholarship, Lindsey DiBattista.

Attending the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine-Dental Assistant Training Program this year, Lindsey is set to graduate in June 2027. Earning this scholarship will help her get there.

"This scholarship means the world to me. I was incredibly surprised and feel so lucky to have been chosen. This award will help cover the cost remaining of my tuition along with all the costs I incurred to take the BLS class along with the clearances I need," Lindsey shared.

Thank you to Gary & Deborah for making this scholarship possible and to Andy & Deborah, who will cover the costs of Lindsey's infection control certificate.

Check out Lindsey's winning application video that made us want to bet on her success: https://bit.ly/4hoTsJm

"This scholarship means the world to me. I was incredibly surprised...

10/06/2026

Our grants application deadline is creeping up! 🗓️

If you’ve been considering a Pilot Project Grant through the Dental Trade Alliance Foundation, now is the time to start shaping your application.

With the November 30 deadline in mind, starting now gives you the space to build something thoughtful and meaningful. 🔨💡

Even if your idea still feels early, this is the moment to start putting it on paper.

If you’re ready to take your ideas to the next level but could use some support, apply here: https://bit.ly/4111Pln

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to Jackie Michaels, the DTA Foundation's managing director, at [email protected].

10/06/2026

🪥 Mark Your Calendars: National Brush Day is November 1!

The costumes may come off, and the candy bags may get put away, but there’s one important thing to remember after Halloween: healthy brushing habits!

This November 1, the DTA Foundation is celebrating National Brush Day and encouraging families everywhere to make oral health a priority with one simple habit:

⏱️ 2 minutes. 2 times a day.

National Brush Day is an opportunity to remind parents, caregivers and kids that small habits can make a big difference in building healthy smiles for the future.

Learn more about National Brush Day here: https://bit.ly/3Yg84Ru

Stay tuned as we get ready to celebrate! 🦷✨

10/05/2026

Last week, DTA Foundation Board of Directors Chair and Chief Commercial Officer at A-dec Inc., Tim Long, sat down with Kevin Henry, Editor in Chief at DrBicuspid , on the DTA podcast to talk National Brush Day. 🪥

Since this holiday centers around children's oral health, Tim's focus area as chair, he wanted to personally share more on this important initiative.

Check out the podcast & don't forget to brush 2min2x on National Brush Day and everyday! https://bit.ly/3TyytdY

Tim Long, chairman of the Dental Trade Alliance Foundation, and Kevin Henry discuss the group's efforts to highlight oral health during National Brush Day.

10/05/2026

It's not too late to apply for a $25k grant from the DTA Foundation! 📄🦷

Does your non-profit have a burning idea to solve one of your communities top challenges to oral health? Each year, we look for the right oral health pilot project to support, helping them get off the ground and make real impact.

When designing your project, consider how you can highlight your project's impact on expanding access to care for underserved populations, based on your non-profit's experience working in your community.

Whether its a research project, designing/testing a new model of care, or something else innovative, we want to hear from you. Of particular interest this year are projects that relate to children's oral health, as that is the focus area of our current Chair of the Board of Directors for the DTA Foundation.

Apply today to learn more: https://bit.ly/3Y1R6oB

Grant Recipient Highlights Grant FAQ

09/25/2026

When you pledge support to the DTA Foundation, you're helping create healthy smiles for all. Each dollar raised puts us one step closer to this goal. To keep providing grants to kick-start innovations in oral health, like the $25k grant we provided to TeamSmile in 2025 (pictured), we need dental industry partners with big hearts to make a difference.

Today, we'd like to extend a special thank you to three donors that just made new pledges to the DTA Foundation's Annual Fund, ensuring the DTA Foundation's continued mission. Each of these companies, Envista , Ivoclar , and Solventum, are dedicated to giving back to help advance access to dental care for those that need it most.

Thank you for being an integral part of our DTA Foundation circle of supporters and key to sustaining our work. We can't thank you enough for standing with the DTA Foundation as we tackle issues of oral health equity and access to care together.

09/25/2026

🦷 New this year: DTA Foundation Dental Assisting Scholarships!

The Gary & Deborah Steinberg Dental Assistant Scholarship is helping prepare the next generation of dental assistants, beginning with our first recipient, Evelyn Ganan Sumba.

Made possible through the generosity of Gary and Deborah Steinberg, with support from the ADS-DANB-DALE Foundation Andrew Whitehead Education and Certification Scholarship. Ten students are awarded $2,500 each, along with a voucher to complete the Dental Infection Prevention and Control Certificate.

The program recognizes the critical role dental assistants play in infection prevention, patient safety and the overall success of the dental team.

As Gary Steinberg asks:

“How are you giving back? What will be your legacy?”

Meet Evelyn, learn more about the inspiration behind this new scholarship and discover how you can help create opportunities for future dental professionals.

Read the full story: https://bit.ly/3Vo74Mc

09/22/2026

🌟 Meet Evelyn Ganan Sumba, the first recipient of the new Gary & Deborah Steinberg Dental Assistant Scholarship!

At just 19 years old, Evelyn is already building a future dedicated to helping others. A student at the Westchester School for Medical and Dental Assistants, she is preparing to graduate this fall and begin her career in dental assisting.

After coming to the U.S. from Ecuador in 2021, Evelyn has supported herself through school while pursuing her passion for patient care.

“I want to do something to change people’s lives.”

Through this new DTA Foundation scholarship, Evelyn will receive $2,500 toward her education, along with the opportunity to further her infection control education and prepare for a successful career in dentistry.

We’re proud to support Evelyn as she takes this next step! 🦷

Read Evelyn’s full success story: https://bit.ly/3Vo74Mc

09/22/2026

National Brush Day is coming up on November 1! 🪥

The DTA Foundation is celebrating by encouraging families to join the and make brushing fun for kids.

Learn more about National Brush Day and how to get involved: https://prn.to/4hjYPYK

/PRNewswire/ -- National Brush Day is celebrated every year on November 1, the day after Halloween, to promote children's oral health. By reinforcing the...

09/21/2026

🦷 From Proven Impact to an Even Bigger Reach

The DTA Foundation is proud to award a $25,000 grant to Dignity Health Foundation – East Valley for its Hospital Oral Care Workforce Development project.

Building on a successful DTA Foundation-funded initiative from 2018, this next phase addresses a critical gap in inpatient care: helping prevent oral inflammation, pneumonia, and other oral health-related complications among hospitalized patients.

With support from the 2026 grant, Dignity Health will develop a standards-based curriculum, video lectures, simulations, and assessments to equip dental hygienists with the specialized skills and certification needed to enter the emerging hospital-based oral care career pathway.

The project will also create hospital-specific career ladders for dental hygienists and employer toolkits to help hospitals successfully integrate these professionals into patient care.

What began as an innovative approach to bedside oral care is now growing into something bigger: a pathway to prepare more dental professionals, strengthen hospital care, and improve outcomes for more patients.

💙 We’re proud to support Dignity Health Foundation – East Valley as they turn proven impact into lasting change.