My Community Dental Centers Celebrates Dentist for Delta Dental Foundation Award
Jelani Holliday receives the Community Commitment Award among the new generation of dentists entering the dental industry
HILLSDALE, MI., September 26, 2023 – One of the largest non-profit organizations dedicated to dental care in the United States, My Community Dental Centers (MCDC), proudly recognizes Dentist, Jelani Holliday for winning the Delta Dental Foundation (DDF) Community Commitment Award. With a determination to address dental care disparities in Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSA), MCDC and Holliday underline the importance of addressing unmet dental needs in underserved communities.Each year, the DDF awards a total of $125,000 to students from the following dental schools; Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, Ohio State University College of Dentistry, University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry, Indiana University School of Dentistry, and University of Michigan School of Dentistry. Award recipients, such as Holliday for the University of Michigan School of Dentistry, commit to practicing in a designated HPSA in their respective state for at least one year following graduation. 
“My experiences, coupled with the Delta Dental Foundation Community Commitment Award, have made me a passionate advocate for recruiting dentists to serve underserved areas,” said Holliday (left). “Growing up in rural Georgia, I witnessed dental buses providing vital care to my community, including myself, I saw similar access issues in Michigan which motivated me to address these disparities. It's my mission to make a difference, within communities such as the one I grew up in and I am fueled by my unwavering faith in helping people.”According to the DDF, approximately 4.7 million in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana, reside in HPSA’s, geographic regions, or facilities lacking sufficient dental providers. Individuals within HPSAs have more difficulty finding affordable dental care options which ultimately negatively impacts oral health. With statistics like these in mind, Holliday used his DDF Community Commitment Award, to work with MCDC. Drawn to the high-quality, affordable dental care offered at each MCDC location regardless of economic background fit the role that Holliday saw for himself post-graduation. Beginning his career with MCDC Hillsdale on the east side of Michigan, the location soon celebrates one year since reopening, serves 4,000 unique patients per year, and 50% of patients are on managed dental care programs. "Jelani's perseverance in addressing dental care disparities is truly commendable. His dedication to serving underserved communities aligns with our mission at My Community Dental Centers,” said Chief Executive Officer, Deborah Brown, DMD, MHA, FACHE. “We are proud to have Dr. Holliday as part of our team, and his work embodies the values of compassion and community service."MCDC is committed to providing opportunities for graduating dental students as they enter the workforce. Through compensation, 34 different locations across the country, employee benefits, paid time off (PTO), mentorship, and professional development, real experiences are top of mind for MCDC. Through mentorship and early access to young professionals, MCDC is dedicated to making the dental profession as accessible as its services.The Health Resources & Services Administration has identified a need for more than 859 oral health professionals in underserved dental communities in order to remove the HPSA designations, according to the Delta Dental Foundation. With systemic changes facilitated by organizations such as MCDC and doctors like Jelani Holliday, the dental industry is on a trajectory toward more accessible dental care for all.
About MCDCAbout My Community Dental Centers Established in 2006, My Community Dental Centers Inc. operates 34 dental centers throughout Michigan, with over 90,000 unduplicated patients served in 2021, MCDC focuses on quality care that is customized for each patient and offered in a patient-centered atmosphere with exceptional care. MCDC employs diverse and driven professionals to provide cutting-edge and industry-leading dental services. Visit www.mydental.org.
