Delta Dental of Arizona Providing $500,000 COVID-19 Aid to Arizona’s Federally Qualified Health Centers
Unrestricted funds to help support nonprofit medical centers where need is greatest for underserved
GLENDALE, Ariz. (April 23, 2020) — Community health centers across Arizona are on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic to provide care for underserved and uninsured populations. As a healthcare partner and the largest dental benefits provider in the state, we continually reinforce the connection between oral health and overall health. To help support these patients in this unprecedented time, Delta Dental of Arizona, through its foundation, is donating $500,000 to the 23 federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) across the state.
“Delta Dental of Arizona has a long history of supporting Arizona communities through its foundation, particularly the underserved and underinsured. We see community health centers as a critical link to people in need and we have partnered with many dental clinics within the FQHC system. As healthcare partners, we can assist with unrestricted funds to help alleviate the burden of the pandemic on these clinics,” said Allan Allford, CEO of Delta Dental of Arizona and Chair of the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation.
For the first time in the history of Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation, a gift of this magnitude was donated for medical purposes. “In unprecedented times, we feel the need for unprecedented actions. It’s simply the right thing to do to help these organizations that are shouldering a tremendous responsibility to help their patients,” Allford said.
John C. McDonald, CEO of Arizona Alliance for Community Health Centers (AACHC) stated, “Delta Dental of Arizona provided every health center with funds they desperately need right now in order to continue the fight against COVID-19. Health Centers are on the frontline of this pandemic. COVID 19 has challenged the wellbeing and health of our communities, but community health centers are committed to providing high quality primary care to the communities they serve. We are extremely thankful for Delta Dental’s ongoing partnership and their contribution to health centers’ obligation to deliver high quality primary care services.”
For more information on the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation, visit deltadentalaz.com/foundation.
About Delta Dental of Arizona
Delta Dental of Arizona is the leading dental benefits provider in Arizona, serving more than 1.2 million enrollees and more than 3,500 contracted dentists across the state. Passionate about oral health and its importance to generations of families, Delta Dental of Arizona has worked for more than 45 years to improve oral health by emphasizing preventive care and making dental coverage accessible to a wide variety of employers, groups and individuals. Since 2010, Delta Dental of Arizona, through its Foundation, gave $7 million to support oral health education and disease prevention programs for underserved and uninsured communities across the state. For more information about Delta Dental of Arizona, visit www.deltadentalaz.com.