On September 22, Delta Dental of Oklahoma (DDOK) announced a $2,852,050 gift to Great Salt Plains Health (GSP Health) in Enid to expand and enhance its dental clinic. The expanded nonprofit, low-cost community health center will significantly increase patient access to oral health care in northwestern Oklahoma while strengthening the pipeline of trained dental professionals in the state.

The investment will fund the renovation of a 6,558-square-foot space allowing GSP Health to increase its number of patient operatories from five to 17, more than tripling its capacity to provide dental hygiene services and train dental hygiene students from the OU College of Dentistry (OUCOD) and Northern Oklahoma College (NOC).

“This gift reflects Delta Dental of Oklahoma’s commitment to improving the oral health of all Oklahomans and removing the barriers that can make dental care difficult to access,” said John Gladden, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Oklahoma. “We’re also proud to invest in dental health education and dental workforce development, helping to ensure people across our state can get the care they need for years to come.”

GSP Health is a 501(c)(3) Federally Qualified Health Center that works to provide comprehensive primary and preventive health care to those in its community and surrounding areas who need it most.

“There is a significant need for expanded dental services in our rural and underserved region, and this new facility will allow us to provide more patients with comprehensive, quality care close to home,” said Tim Starkey, MBA, FACHE, CEO of GSP Health. “We are incredibly grateful to Delta Dental of Oklahoma for this generous investment for the people of northwestern Oklahoma.”

The gift will also fund technology upgrades necessary to serve as a remote learning site and clinical training ground for dental students from OUCOD.

“There is a critical and ongoing need to educate and train the next generation of dental professionals to meet the needs of communities across Oklahoma,” said Paul Mullasseril, DDS, MS, dean of OUCOD. “This expanded clinic will provide valuable hands-on training for dental hygiene students while helping strengthen the state’s dental workforce.”

Construction on the new and expanded GSP Health dental will begin next month. The clinic is expected to be completed in time for the start of the 2027 school year.

“Expanding opportunities for dental professionals to receive clinical training in rural communities is an important step toward building a workforce prepared to meet our state’s myriad healthcare needs,” said Diana Morris, president of Northern Oklahoma College. “Northern Oklahoma College is proud to be part of this partnership.”

Patients across Oklahoma who need low-cost, quality dental care can visit DDOKFoundation.org/need-dental-care to access a comprehensive guide of free and low-cost dental clinics across the state or to speak to a Dental Care Navigator.