Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation Gives Non-Profits Reason to Smile
$600,000 in Grants Will Assist Underserved Through Oral Health Programs and Education
GLENDALE, Ariz. (Feb. 6, 2019) - In the words of renowned humanitarian Mother Teresa, “We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do”. Understanding how important a healthy smile is, Delta Dental of Arizona (DDAZ) is proud to announce $600,000 in grants to 31 deserving non-profits around the state who provide access to preventive oral health care and dental education to some of the state’s most underserved populations.
The grants fund safety net clinics, community health centers, oral health education, dental health awareness programs and oral health coalitions. In addition, these grants go to advance specialized care utilizing mobile clinics, embedding dental screenings and fluoride varnish treatments into medical well visits and teledentistry while expanding treatment options like silver diamine fluoride.
“It has been proven time and again that lack of dental care can lead to dire health problems. These amazing Arizona organizations receiving funding through our Foundation have proven track records of providing much needed preventative care and educational resources in the communities they serve,” said Delta Dental of Arizona President and CEO Allan Allford. “This funding will make an immediate positive impact on the oral health of Arizonan’s across the entire state, and that is something in which Delta Dental of Arizona takes great pride.”
Grants range from $2,500 to $35,000 and support a broad spectrum of preventive services, including silver diamine fluoride treatments through University of Arizona’s First Smiles Program; health care for homeless pregnant women served by Maggie’s Place; a home visiting program assisting at-risk families administered by the Verde Valley Medical Center in Cottonwood; an interactive dental health magic show and visits from dentists during Children’s Dental Health Month (February) at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix; Sun Life Family Health Center providing oral health screening and fluoride varnish treatments to 1,500 students in 24 elementary schools in Casa Grande; and teledentristy services through Tooth BUDDS in remote areas of Graham and Greenlee counties.
Visit our grant recipients page for a complete list of 2019 grant recipients.
About Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation
Founded in 1997, the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation is the charitable arm of Delta Dental of Arizona, the dental benefits company. Its mission is to improve oral health, particularly for underserved and uninsured groups and communities. Since 2006, the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation has provided more than $11 million in community benefit support for oral health promotion and dental disease prevention programs across the state. For more information on the Foundation, please visit www.deltadentalaz.com/foundation.