Tuesday, July 07, 2026
PITTSBURGH (July 7, 2026) — For the eighth consecutive year, Highmark Wholecare and United Concordia Dental are holding their summer Healthy Smiles for Miles tour, providing no cost on-site dental services — including exams, cleanings, X-rays and fluoride treatments — to Highmark Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Highmark Wholecare members in underserved communities throughout Pennsylvania. These mobile dental tours address health access concerns for pediatric, young adult and adult Pennsylvanians.
“Oral health is fundamentally intertwined with overall systemic health,” said Dr. Robert Thielen, dental director, Highmark Wholecare. “Our programs and interventions are increasingly focused on the impact good oral health has on managing and preventing conditions like hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.”
Dr. Thielen added: “Through initiatives like our mobile dental tour, we're not only delivering essential treatment but we’re empowering our members with knowledge—educating them on how consistent oral hygiene at home can significantly contribute to disease control and providing crucial support like tobacco cessation programs. This holistic approach is key to improving the well-being of our communities.”
The mobile dental unit uses dentists and dental hygienists from United Concordia’s network to provide an array of dental services. Scheduling services are available if additional care is needed. Dental services for each tour require pre-registration.
Through the Healthy Smiles for Miles tour, United Concordia expects to provide on-site dental services to nearly 500 Highmark CHIP and Highmark Wholecare-insured children aged 20 years and younger, as well as adults in their households. The Healthy Smiles for Miles tour will reach 12 cities in 16 days during July and August, including Allentown (July 17), Beaver Falls (July 8), Carlise (Aug. 6), Chambersburg (July 9-10, Aug. 5), Hanover (July 14), Harrisburg (July 11), Homestead (Aug. 4), Lancaster (July 15), Lebanon (July 16, Aug. 7), Pittsburgh (July 7), Reading (Aug. 8) and York (July 13).
According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, tooth decay is the most prevalent chronic disease affecting both children and adults today. And cost is often a significant barrier to care. In 2023, the American Dental Association reported that 13% of the population experienced cost barriers to dental care, compared to approximately 5% for other health care services. In fact, CareQuest Institute, a nonprofit research advocacy group, found that families living in poverty paid 7.4% more in out-of-pocket costs for dental care than those with higher incomes.
“Many dental conditions are preventable, yet too many individuals face barriers to receiving routine dental care. Without regular checkups and good oral hygiene habits, problems such as tooth decay and gum disease can worsen over time and affect overall health,” said Roosevelt Allen, DDS, MAGD, ABGD, chief dental officer, United Concordia Dental. “Through our partnership with Highmark Wholecare, our mobile dental tour is bringing oral care, education and resources directly to the people and communities in Pennsylvania who can benefit most.”
About Highmark Wholecare
We believe in caring for the whole person in all communities where the need is greatest. We see a future in which everyone has equal opportunity to achieve their best health. Through our leading Medicaid and Medicare programs, we are coordinating health care that goes beyond doctors and medicine that helps members achieve not just physical health but also delivers whole person care. Our team members are helping to drive this new kind of health care for our 325,000 Medicaid and Medicare members in collaboration with a network of 29,000 primary care physicians, specialists, hospitals, and other ancillary providers. We are also committed to supporting our neighbors through our many community outreach and engagement programs.
About United Concordia Dental
United Concordia Dental is a leading national dental solutions partner focused on providing access to personalized, high-quality, cost-effective dental care, with an emphasis on improving total health. Headquartered in Camp Hill, Pa., the company, which serves 11.9 million people, has one of the nation’s largest dentist networks, an AM Best “A” (Excellent) financial strength rating and licensed entities in all 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico. United Concordia offers flexible benefit solutions and products that meet the unique overall health needs of customers of all sizes. For more information about United Concordia, visit UnitedConcordia.com.
About Highmark Inc.
An independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, Highmark Inc., together with its Blue-branded affiliates, collectively comprise the third largest overall Blue Cross Blue Shield-affiliated organization in the country with nearly 8 million members in Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, West Virginia, Missouri and Kansas. Its diversified businesses serve group customer and individual needs across the United States through dental insurance and other related businesses. For more information, visit www.highmark.com.
For more information contact:
John Pepper
412-951-1533
John.Pepper@highmarkhealth.org
