Delta Dental of Arkansas Turns 40
Posted Aug 2022
By Delta Dental of Arkansas
Tagged COVID-19 relief funding, community fluoridation efforts, Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation, outstanding foundation, awards, in-network, dentists, Best Places to Work, Kristin Merlo, Ed Choate, Earl Gladden, Arkansas, largest dental insurer, smiles, 40 years, anniversary
Delta Dental of Arkansas Turns 40
We’ve officially reached middle age.
On Aug. 2, 1982, Delta Dental of Arkansas opened its doors in a small, two-room office in downtown Little Rock. That means—wait for it—we’re 40 now.
But we are more agile and youthful than two 20-year-olds.
Since those early days, we’ve grown into Arkansas’s largest dental insurance provider, serving more than 4,000 Arkansas-based businesses, 800,000 Arkansans and 2.4 million Americans nationwide.
Our initial staff of two—CEO and President Earl Gladden and his wife, Grace—has increased to more than 210 today.
Largest network of dentists in the State
But our proudest achievement is our large network of participating dental providers—our strong suit from the beginning. Right away in its first year of existence, Delta Dental achieved its goal of signing 400 dentists. Today, we have almost three times as many. More than 1,100 dentists participate in any of Delta Dental of Arkansas’s four networks, including our Dental Smiles network for Medicaid members.
Key Moments
Here are some milestones from our 40-year history:
1983: Signs its first major, statewide client with 4,000 members.
2000: Earl Gladden retires. Ed Choate succeeds him as President and CEO.
2004: After several office moves, constructs permanent headquarters building at 1513 Country Club Road in Sherwood.
2007: Starts offering individual/family insurance in addition to group insurance plus vision coverage.
2008: Launches the Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation to provide statewide support to communities and nonprofit organizations for oral health education, prevention and treatment.
2008: Starts offering coverage for implants as one of the first dental insurance companies in the nation.
2011: In response to Act 197 of the Arkansas Legislature, pledges to fund the community water fluoridation of all Arkansas water systems serving 5,000 or more residents. The 7-year, $7 million project results in the delivery of optimally fluoridated tap water to more than 90% of Arkansans, higher than the national average.
2014: Wins “Arkansas Business of the Year” Award, Category III, presented by the Arkansas Business Publishing Group.
2016: Synthesizes the company core values into 4 concepts: Act with Integrity; Focus on Community; Respect People, and Provide World-Class Service.
2017: Wins contract to become one of the two benefits providers of the Arkansas Medicaid dental program.
2018: Implements first-ever Medicare Advantage product.
2020: Provides more than $27.4 million in direct COVID-19 relief funding to network dentists, business clients, members and community partners.
2021: Ed Choate retires. Kristin Merlo succeeds him as President and CEO. She’s only the third chief executive in the company’s 40-year history.
2022: Named one of the “Best Places to Work” in Arkansas for the 10th consecutive year in the annual survey conducted by Arkansas Business Publishing Group, making Delta Dental one of only two Arkansas businesses with that distinction.
Numerous Business Awards
2005-2010: 5-time annual Bronze or Silver winner of Governor’s Family-Friendly Employer/ Governor’s Work-Life Balance Award, presented by Arkansas Department of Human Services
2013-2022: 10-time annual winner of Best Places to Work in Arkansas Award, presented by the Arkansas Business Publishing Group
2014 Arkansas Business of the Year” Award, Category III, presented by the Arkansas Business Publishing Group
2017: Outstanding Foundation (Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation), presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Arkansas Chapter
Life Begins at 40
In short, at 40, we’re simply fabulous. Want to join us?