Delta Dental of Oklahoma (DDOK) and the Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation recently announced its scholarship fund recipients at the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry (OUCOD). Morris resident Gavin Allen, a second-year dental student, is one of ten OUCOD students receiving a $10,000 scholarship for the 2025-2026 academic year.

While in dental school, Gavin has served as the Dental Technology Club Vice President and the OrthoXplore Treasurer. He regularly volunteers for organizations, events and programs like CyberCity, the STEM club at Twin Hills, Oklahoma State University’s Pre-Dental club and Cyber Corps. Additionally, he coaches academic teams. After graduation, Gavin hopes to complete a Periodontics residency and practice dentistry in rural Oklahoma.

“With Oklahoma facing a growing need for skilled dental professionals, these scholarships are an investment in the future dental workforce of Oklahoma,” said John Gladden, chairman, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Oklahoma. “Our Foundation is proud to support students like Gavin whose commitment to dentistry will help ensure Oklahoma communities can receive quality oral health care for generations to come.”

Established in 2001, DDOK Foundation’s scholarship program provides financial support to deserving OU College of Dentistry dental and dental hygiene students planning to practice within Oklahoma after graduation. The organization also provides stipends to dentistry students to assist with their research projects. With this year’s scholarships and research funding included, DDOK and its Foundation have granted more than $1.45 million to OUCOD students over the past 24 years.

“For decades, Delta Dental of Oklahoma and its Foundation have shown a remarkable commitment to our students and to the future of dentistry in our state,” said Paul M. Mullasseril, D.D.S., M.S., and dean of the OU College of Dentistry. “Their support and scholarships continue to empower our students to pursue their passion for dentistry, making a lasting impact on the oral health landscape of Oklahoma.”

Scholarships and research stipends totaling more than $117,000 were awarded to the following 17 students for the 2025-2026 academic year:

Dental Scholarship Recipients • Danna Abella, DS3 (Edmond)

• Leyann Adi, DS4 (Oklahoma City)

• Gavin Allen, DS2 (Morris)

• William Dumigan, DS2 (Edmond)

• Matilyn Flanagan, DS2 (Disney)

• Paria Iranpour, DS3 (Oklahoma City)

• Caroline Judd, DS3 (Edmond)

• Tommy Nguyen, DS4 (Lawton)

• Chloe Scheitzach, DS3 (Edmond)

• Pann Warner, DS2 (Jenks) — Dental Hygiene Recipients

• Bailey Henderson, DH2 (Skiatook)

• Tiana Jacquez, DH2 (Oklahoma City)

• Madeline Mullenberg, DH2 (Moore)

• Paris Warriner, DH2 (Davis) — Dental Research Stipend Recipients • Jaylee Berryhill, DS2 (Ardmore)

• Matilyn Flanagan, DS2 (Disney)

• Abigail Lam, DS2 (Oklahoma City)

• Rena Zhang, DS2 (Tulsa) — Delta Dental of Oklahoma

For over 50 years, Delta Dental of Oklahoma, the leading provider of dental benefits in the state, has prioritized and advanced the oral health of millions of Oklahomans. Delta Dental of Oklahoma (DDOK) serves more than one million eligible members and more than 9,600 Oklahoma-headquartered companies. Delta Dental of Oklahoma offers Individual and Family benefit plans designed to meet the needs of Oklahomans outside the workplace. For more information, visit DeltaDentalOK. org/CoversMe.

— Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation

DDOK established its Foundation in 1998 to advance the company’s not-for-profit mission to improve the oral health of all Oklahomans. In addition to its free dental care resources, the charitable organization provides grants and funds to free and lowcost clinics, awards scholarships to dental students and proactively educates thousands of elementary children from across the state about proper oral hygiene and dental disease prevention. For more information, visit DDOKFoundation.org.