For Delta Dental of Arkansas, being named one of Arkansas’ Best Places to Work for the 14th consecutive year is more than recognition of a great workplace. It reflects a culture where people support one another, find purpose in their work, and are empowered to make a difference. And that culture doesn’t stop at the office door. It reaches the members, dental providers and communities we serve every day.

As the largest provider of dental benefits in Arkansas, our mission is to champion healthy smiles for all Arkansans. With more than 200 employees working toward that goal, our company recognizes that taking care of the people who serve others is an important part of fulfilling that mission.

For David Click, a Learning & Development Specialist, that connection is especially clear. “I think the way we treat each other inside the organization has a direct impact on how we treat the people we serve,” David said. “There is a genuine sense of compassion and care for one another, and I believe that naturally translates into the experience we provide our members.”

Every Investment in Employees Is an Investment in Our Members

For David, helping employees grow is at the heart of his job. Whether designing training, coaching employees, or partnering with leaders, his goal is to give employees the knowledge and confidence they need to succeed.

“When I’m training an employee who will serve our members, I remember that there is a real person on the other end of every interaction,” David said. “What may seem like a simple question to us can mean so much more to them.”

David learned that lesson firsthand early in his career, when he worked in our Contact Center. One member called about coverage for dentures, and when David explained that dentures were covered under his plan, the man became emotional. He explained that he worked as a store greeter and was embarrassed that he couldn’t smile back at people, telling David, “You don’t understand how much this means to me.”

That interaction has stayed with David throughout his career and reminds him that dental benefits are about more than policies, claims and coverage. “For that member, having access to dental care meant having the confidence to smile at another person again,” David said. “We have the opportunity to change people’s lives, sometimes in ways we may never fully realize.”

That perspective now informs David’s work behind the scenes, where he helps employees build the knowledge, skills and confidence to serve members with empathy and care. As Customer Service Team Lead Alex Crace knows, that preparation is especially important for employees who interact directly with members.

“What stands out to me is that the company genuinely cares about its employees, not just about getting the job done,” Alex said. “They want their employees to be happy, supported, and equipped with the tools they need to succeed.” He says that support and preparation give employees the confidence they need when handling member concerns.

An Approach That Extends to Our Dental Providers

The same culture of support shapes the way we work with the dental professionals who make care possible. As a Provider Network Coordinator, Briana Sparks serves as a primary connection between Delta Dental of Arkansas and network dentists.

For Briana, the work is fundamentally about relationships and being there for the people she serves. “I wish people knew how much heart goes into my role,” Briana said. “It's not just managing provider networks. It's about showing up for people, building relationships, and being a trusted resource internally and externally.”

That relationship building has a direct impact on members because dental offices are often where patients turn with questions about their benefits. “Working with the dental offices allows me to assist and educate the office staff on all things Delta Dental,” Briana said. “This then extends to the members because when the dental office is up to date on our policies and benefits, they can assist the member better.”

Helping Our People Grow Helps Everyone Grow

That willingness to support one another has shaped David’s career. “Someone saw potential in me and helped me develop it, and today I have the opportunity to help other people recognize their own potential and grow into high performers,” David said. “That cycle of investing in people is one of the things I value most about our culture.”

And that cycle is ultimately what makes the Best Places to Work recognition meaningful. The award is based on employee feedback about workplace satisfaction, policies, career growth and other aspects of the employee experience, but the impact of a positive workplace can be seen well beyond employee satisfaction.

When employees feel supported, they are better equipped to support members. When employees collaborate, providers receive better support. And when employees find purpose in their work, that purpose carries through to the people and communities Delta Dental of Arkansas serves.