For 60 years, Delta Dental of Tennessee has been committed to helping Tennesseans enjoy healthier lives through healthier smiles. Our story is one rooted in service, innovation, and a deep belief that access to dental care strengthens communities. To see how we became the organization we are today, we’re reflecting on the 60 years that built our foundation.
While medical insurance had become widely accepted, attempts at creating dental insurance plans continuously failed in the first half of the 20th century. However, on the west coast in 1955, the International Longshoremen’s and Warehousemen’s Union’s Welfare Fund partnered with local dentists to create one of the first prepaid dental care plans for children. It wasn't expected to even last a year, but instead a new industry was started.
As dental insurance gained momentum in states like California, Oregon, and Washington, leaders in Tennessee took notice. By 1961, the Tennessee Dental Association formally recommended drafting legislation to bring this new model of dental coverage to Tennessee.
That vision became real in 1965, when the Tennessee General Assembly authorized the creation of the Tennessee Dental Service Corporation. With a Charter of Incorporation issued on September 20, the organization set out to make reliable dental coverage accessible to Tennesseans, long before dental benefits were commonplace.
Just five years later, in 1970, the company joined the growing national Delta Dental Plans Association and officially became Delta Dental Plan of Tennessee. This connection gave Tennesseans access to the largest dental network in the country while keeping service, leadership, and decision-making grounded right here in Tennessee.
The 1970s and 1980s marked a major shift in how Americans viewed dental care. By 1980, dental benefits had become a standard part of employee benefit packages. As demand grew, so did Delta Dental of Tennessee.
A defining moment came in 1986, when we became the dental carrier for the new Saturn plant in Spring Hill. This partnership strengthened our ability to expand services, build relationships with more dentists, and reach even more communities across the state. That growth ultimately set the stage for the large-scale community impact we are able to have today.
As our membership grew, so did our commitment to investing in Tennessee’s oral health workforce and safety net.
In 1999, we awarded our first scholarships to dental students at Tennessee’s dental schools.
In 2005, we supported our first dental clinic, Interfaith Dental in Nashville, helping expand access for vulnerable populations.
In 2011, we funded construction for the new dental clinic at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Today, every children’s hospital in Tennessee has dental equipment, and several have dedicated surgical suites to treat chronic dental issues in children with serious medical conditions.
Through these growing investments, one thing became clear: our mission extended far beyond benefits. We were here to strengthen the entire oral health landscape of the state.
In 2014, these longstanding commitments were formalized with the creation of the Smile180 Foundation, focused on three key pillars:
Oral health education
Charitably run dental clinics
Children’s hospitals
The name “Smile180” reflects the idea that a healthy smile can turn someone’s life around. Since then, we have continued to deepen our community partnerships:
2015: Launched Smile Power Week with the Tennessee Charitable Care Network to highlight how important, and life-changing, a healthy smile can be.
2022: Hosted the first Kids Dental Day at the Nashville Sounds stadium, now an annual tradition offering free dental screenings and cleanings for children every July.
Today, Delta Dental of Tennessee covers more than 1.4 million members, and over 92% of Tennessee dentists participate in our network. That broad reach makes it possible for us to continuously reinvest in clinics, hospitals, education, and care programs across the state.
The impact of these efforts can be seen in every corner of Tennessee:
More than $75 million invested in community programs since 2003.
Expanded dental care access in rural communities.
Support for veterans, older adults, and people with disabilities who often face the greatest barriers to care.
These aren’t just programs, they’re the result of decades of growth, careful stewardship, and a long-standing belief that when we can give back, we should.
As part of this milestone year, we’re celebrating with 60 Moments of Surprise Smiles, small acts of kindness, gratitude, and joy shared across Tennessee. From community donations and volunteer events to special surprises for individuals and organizations, each moment is designed to brighten someone’s day and bring people together. These surprises are our way of saying thank you and continuing the spirit of service that has guided us for six decades.
As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, our focus remains the same as it was in 1965: serving Tennesseans with excellence, expanding access to care, and investing in healthier futures.
Dental care continues to evolve, and so do we. We continue to focus on embracing innovation, strengthening our network, and deepening our commitment to the communities that have shaped us for the past six decades.
From our earliest days to the statewide impact we have today, one thing has never changed: our belief that healthy smiles build strong communities.
Here’s to 60 years of service, and to the years of smiles still to come.