“DentaQuest’s combination with Sun Life marks an important next step in our long-term transformation that will enhance and broaden our existing capabilities,” said Steve Pollock, President and Chief Executive Officer of DentaQuest. “A variety of longstanding barriers have created significant unmet oral health needs, which are disproportionately felt by historically marginalized groups. With support from Sun Life, we will be even better positioned to fulfill this critical need, and we look forward to partnering with them as we begin this exciting next chapter.”
Over the past 20 years, DentaQuest has pioneered a differentiated approach to oral health that emphasizes prevention, innovation and expansion of value-based solutions, with a focus on underserved communities. DentaQuest innovated its Preventistry® model, which aligns providers, payors and members by focusing on access, quality care and measurable outcomes, with its broad and deep Medicaid dental network in the U.S. and its proprietary claims management system, Windward. In addition to its leadership in Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP) programs, DentaQuest has seen robust growth in its Medicare Advantage and other segments, including offerings through health plan partners, as well as individuals on the U.S. ACA healthcare exchanges.
Dental benefits are the second-most popular benefit after health insurance and are growing in importance because of the correlation between oral and overall health. Dental benefits programs continue to be an area of growth in employer and government benefits programs. Millions of Americans, especially low-income populations and the elderly, have insufficient access to dental care and benefits, spotlighting the importance of the work that DentaQuest does.
The transaction will also enable CareQuest Institute for Oral Health (“CareQuest Institute”) to expand on its strategic priorities in support of its mission. CareQuest Institute, the current parent organization of DentaQuest, is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization that seeks to advance a more accessible, equitable, and integrated oral health system, particularly for underserved communities. DentaQuest and CareQuest Institute will continue to work closely together following Sun Life’s acquisition of DentaQuest. CareQuest Institute plans to deploy the proceeds from the transaction into programs and initiatives that advance its mission.
“Today marks an important milestone in our journey with DentaQuest to improve the oral health of all, and we believe that Sun Life is the right partner for DentaQuest going forward given their similar cultures and shared purpose,” said Myechia Minter-Jordan, MD, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer of CareQuest Institute. “The transaction will also enable CareQuest Institute to expand on our strategic priorities in support of our mission. We are pleased that CareQuest Institute and DentaQuest will continue to work together closely so that we can advance our mission of creating a more accessible, equitable, and integrated health system.”
DentaQuest’s minority shareholder, Centerbridge, will also be selling its stake in DentaQuest. “It has been a great pleasure to work so closely with Steve Pollock and the DentaQuest management team, who stand out for their exceptional skill in delivering value for customers, members, and all stakeholders, always in constant pursuit of DentaQuest’s important mission,” said Dan Osnoss, Senior Managing Director of Centerbridge. “We are also honored by our association with our partners at CareQuest Institute, who make critical contributions to the wellbeing of so many people. Sun Life is a fantastic home for DentaQuest with complementary capabilities and an aligned mission, and we look forward to their success together.”
