CEO of My Community Dental Centers Provides Accessible Dental Care Statewide

Dr. Deborah Brown, DMD, MHA, FACHE celebrates five years of practice in the dental industry 

Grand Rapids, MI., November 2023 – United States (U.S.) Army Veteran, Michigan Board of Dentistry Dentist, and My Community Dental Centers (MCDC) CEO, Dr. Deborah Brown, DMD, MHA, FACHE remains at the forefront of Dentistry statewide. Working to streamline access to Medicare Dental Benefits, Dr. Brown has been integral in the landmark budget proposal which was the first of its kind in 30+ years allocating more than $2 million toward contracts with Dental Health Plans and more than $4 million to increase the dental procedure reimbursement rate. Leveraging the Michigan Board of Dentistry as a platform, Dr. Brown is making significant strides in delivering dental care to underserved communities, providing meaningful career opportunities for dentists, and establishing herself as a leader in the dental profession through active community engagement. 

According to the American Dental Association, only 3.7% of practicing dentists across the U.S. are African American, as a Black woman within the dental industry and CEO of MCDC Dr. Brown establishes herself as a force within the field. Following her career serving the U.S. Army for four years, Dr. Brown began a career practicing dentistry for the underserved. Recently awarded by Crains Grand Rapids with the Notable West Michigan Leaders in Health Care award Dr. Brown has advocated for quality public health dentistry by  accomplishing  the following: 

• CEO of My Community Dental Centers, 2018 - present

• Bachelor of Arts and Doctor of Dental Medicine degrees from Rutgers University School of Medicine

• Master of Healthcare Administration from Seton Hall University

• Board certified in Healthcare Administration with the American College of Healthcare Executives and in Healthcare Compliance with the Compliance Certification Board

• Member of the Medicaid Medicare CHIP Services Dental Association 

• Served as Senior Director for Dental Services for WellCare Health Plans, a company that specializes exclusively in providing government-sponsored managed care services

• Dr. Brown was the Chief Dental Officer for Dental Health Associates in Phillipsburg, NJ, from 2012 to 2016

• Dental Director of the Ocean Health Initiatives, a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), in Lakewood, NJ, 2008-2012 

In addition to her career accomplishments Dr. Brown is also involved in various communities she identifies with: Speaker/panelist, blog/content contributor, and social media influencer - her platform as a black leader, dentist, veteran, and LBGTQ+ member addresses systemic barriers, promotes inclusion, and creates change within the dental industry; Michigan State Board of Dentistry/chair; Michigan Oral Health Plan/Steering; Michigan Volunteer Registry; American College of Healthcare Executives; Michigan Dental Association/Committee Access to Care; International College of Dentists; The American Legion, Post 311; Kent County Veterans Honor Guard; West Michigan Food Bank; Appointed to serve on the Michigan Board of Dentistry by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. 

“Providing equitable dental care to our most vulnerable community members has always been my passion. Our team and partners work tirelessly every day to ensure that our communities have access to quality oral health care,” said MCDC CEO, Dr. Brown. “Working alongside more than 400 passionate MCDC team members and partners is a true honor. I am deeply grateful for the recognition, which is a direct result of our collective efforts to ensure that Michiganders receive the dental care they deserve.” 

Recently re-appointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to the Michigan Board of Dentistry, Dr. Brown is recognized statewide as an industry leader. As a member of the Michigan Board of Dentistry, Dr. Brown has been asked to present on the importance of oral health to the Michigan House and Senate on several occasions. Expanding access to dental care for the underserved, Dr. Brown leads MCDC in serving more than 90,000 patients a year across 34 dental centers. MCDC serves 82 of 83 counties throughout Michigan. Patients include 73,000+ State Funded Dental Insurance, 7,000+ uninsured, 23,000+ children, and 2,000+ veterans. 

Among Dr. Brown’s many accomplishments, she has also been successful in fulfilling MCDC’s mission of providing dental care for all, including those on Healthy Kids Dental, Healthy Michigan Plan, Adult Medicaid, Private Insurance, and those who are uninsured. Dr. Brown practices a patient-centered approach to dental care as illustrated throughout the 2020 Covid-19 shutdown. Dr. Brown guided MCDC as one of the only providers to offer emergency/palliative care to alleviate the frequent use of Emergency Rooms and dental clearance for life-saving treatment/surgeries. 

Dr. Brown continues to provide opportunities for dental students, dental professionals, and all MCDC patients across Michigan. Offering employee benefits, paid time off (PTO), mentorship, and professional development, equitable dental positions are equally as important to MCDC as accessible care to patients. Dr.Brown continues to provide opportunities to the dental profession all while establishing herself as a leader within public dentistry.

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About MCDC: About 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.