Regional Initiatives in Dental Education (RIDE) is a track of the UW School of Dentistry using a groundbreaking model of dental education to train dentists to meet the needs of rural and underserved populations in the state and region. Funded by the Legislature in 2007, RIDE increases access to quality dental care in remote communities, enhances the diversity of state and regional health-care workers and improves the health-care system by training team-oriented professionals. RIDE operates in conjunction with Eastern Washington University and alongside dental associations, community health centers, Area Health Education Centers and other stakeholders. Over 70% of RIDE graduates return to rural and underserved areas of Washington and the region to practice dentistry.