United Concordia Dental

There is something quietly remarkable about United Concordia Dental. On the surface, it is a national dental carrier serving over 10 million members, with customers including small and large employers, dentists, government clients and strategic partners, like health insurance plans. Yet the company’s true strength is not in its size but in its people.

Years of dedication have shaped a team defined by trust, collaboration, and a foundation of kindness and respect. Many employees have built their careers within the company, carrying a deep understanding of its values and mission. This culture influences every interaction and offering, creating a thoughtful and intentional experience for customers.

The company understands that each customer is unique, with their own specific needs and priorities. By investing time in listening and understanding these differences, United Concordia enables its team to more authentically connect with those it serves and better tailor solutions that deliver real value.

For instance, when producers highlighted the need for simpler benefit administration, United Concordia invested in technology that streamlined enrollment. Every improvement grows from this feedback cycle, insight and adaptation, helping the company stay aligned with evolving expectations.

“We are invested in our customers’ success, working collaboratively to help them grow and achieve their goals,” says Edward Shellard, DMD, president and CEO of United Concordia.

EXPERT-LED INNOVATION IN DENTAL BENEFITS

United Concordia brings together deep industry expertise, dentist-led leadership and a strategic focus on improving health outcomes. With over 50 years of experience in the dental benefits landscape, the company is uniquely positioned to bridge clinical insight with outcomes-focused products and services. The president and CEO and chief dental officer are licensed dentists who draw on decades of patient care experience to develop evidence-based solutions that support the dental network and enhance the customer experience.

This commitment is reinforced through the organization’s collaborations with leading academic and research institutions to deepen its understanding of the oral-systemic health connection. These partnerships help shape data-driven strategies aimed at addressing the root causes of dental problems.

Expanding access to dental care is another core priority. The company maintains a broad provider network, including dentists in rural and underserved areas, and works closely with dental professionals through community partnerships, national initiatives and its own dentist advisory board to improve care delivery and inform best practices in oral health care.

Internally, the company invests in digital tools and simplified processes to help members confidently navigate benefits. Highly tenured service and claims teams, averaging 8 and 16 years, respectively, bring consistency and expertise to every customer interaction.

FROM DENTAL BENEFITS TO BETTER OVERALL HEALTH

United Concordia champions oral health as a pathway to overall well-being, supported by extensive research linking poor dental health to worsened conditions and increased chronic disease risk.

The company’s focus on integrating dental and medical care for improved health outcomes is reflected in its products that offer enhanced dental benefits for individuals with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease. Oral wellness risk assessment tools and targeted programs designed to improve dental and systemic health support these offerings.

Members and employers benefit from United Concordia’s wellness consultants, believed to be the first in the dental insurance sector, who provide personalized support to help them achieve good oral health. Additionally, the chief dental officer, dental directors and wellness consultants play a significant role in educating health care professionals on the oral-systemic connection, fostering an integrated approach to dental and medical care.

The United Concordia Dental Charitable Fund further supports this mission by funding scholarships for future dental professionals and sponsoring community-based oral health initiatives.

STRATEGIC ADAPTATION FOR LONG-TERM TRUST

United Concordia’s service and plan design approach is rooted in responsiveness and adaptability. A recent example illustrates this: When a long-standing client faced a market-driven eligibility shift that jeopardized its dental benefits coverage, the organization provided a data-informed solution.

The sales team, leveraging a strong client relationship and historical claims data, proposed a new plan offering that met the client’s needs. This ensured uninterrupted coverage for employees and preserved the client relationship. The outcome reinforced the company’s reputation as a trusted partner and strategic problem-solver.

United Concordia is more than just a dental insurance company. It’s a dedicated partner, offering people-focused solutions and a seamless experience to ultimately help customers achieve optimal oral and overall health.