In Yakima, a growing alliance between education and community health takes center stage
On June 16, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) welcomed members of the Delta Dental of Washington Board of Directors to its Yakima campus for a landmark gathering inside the newly constructed Delta Dental Equity Hall. The visit served as both a celebration of shared vision and a pivotal step forward in a partnership designed to transform access to care across rural and underserved communities in the Pacific Northwest.
With just weeks remaining before the inaugural class of PNWU’s School of Dental Medicine (SDM) begins their training, board members engaged directly with university leaders and faculty, toured cutting-edge facilities, and witnessed firsthand the infrastructure their investment helped make possible.
“Delta Dental of Washington’s landmark grant to PNWU’s School of Dental Medicine is a clear example of our mission in action,” said Mark Mitchke, President and CEO of Delta Dental of Washington. “But it’s more than simply the bricks and mortar of Delta Dental Equity Hall—it’s a long-term investment in growing the dental workforce within rural communities, communities of color, and other medically underserved areas.”
The gathering underscored the deep alignment between Delta Dental’s commitment to oral health equity and PNWU’s mission to prepare practice-ready, community-focused healthcare leaders. Together, they are building a new educational model rooted in access, equity, and impact.
“This visit reflected the best of what can happen when a shared vision is paired with intentional partnership.”
“This visit reflected the best of what can happen when a shared vision is paired with intentional partnership,” said PNWU Interim President Dr. Robbyn Wacker. “It was a privilege to welcome the Delta Dental Board to our campus, alongside Dr. Fotinos Panagakos, our founding dean. The day was also a powerful showcase of our faculty’s scholarly work, our state-of-the-art simulation technology, and the energy of a program that is ready to serve.”
During the visit, PNWU representatives led an immersive tour of the simulation lab, offering a glimpse into the training that awaits the 36 incoming dental students.
“PNWU-SDM is preparing primary care dental providers who will return to serve areas where care is limited—or entirely unavailable.”
“This is not just a school opening,” said Dr. Katie Hakes, Delta Dental board member. “It’s a revolutionary approach to community health. PNWU-SDM is preparing primary care dental providers who will return to serve areas where care is limited—or entirely unavailable.”
That return is not a hope, but a design. The school’s model places students in Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) throughout the state for their clinical years, with a focus on community-based learning, cultural humility, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
“As a practicing dentist in the Tri-Cities, I can’t overstate how meaningful this is,” said board member Dr. Denny Bradshaw. “Having dental students deliver care in our community, particularly in partnership with trusted clinics like Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic, boosts access, builds trust, and helps train the next generation of providers to meet patients where they are.”
The PNWU–Delta Dental partnership also plays a central role in addressing longstanding inequities in oral health outcomes. For many Washingtonians, a lack of affordable, accessible dental care continues to reinforce racial, economic, and geographic disparities.
“The health of your mouth is one of the most visible indicators of inequality,” said Delta Dental Board Chair Carol Nelson. “Partnerships like ours with PNWU expand the dental workforce and provide an opportunity to reflect the diversity of our state.”
“The health of your mouth is one of the most visible indicators of inequality,” said Delta Dental Board Chair Carol Nelson. “Partnerships like ours with PNWU expand the dental workforce and provide an opportunity to reflect the diversity of our state. When more people enjoy good oral health, everyone benefits — kids thrive in school, adults have better job opportunities, and overall health improves.”
Looking ahead, Nelson emphasized the potential for lasting change.
“We are proud to collaborate with a university that shares our vision: to train providers who will serve those with the greatest need,” she said. “Years from now, I believe people will look back at the launch of PNWU’s dental school as one of Washington’s greatest public health achievements.”
As the countdown to the first day of classes continues, the message from both institutions is clear: the future of dental care in the Pacific Northwest is being built, together.