$164,178 for Oral Health Projects
Posted on December 15, 2016 in Foundation
The Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation has awarded $164,178 to six Iowa organizations to improve the oral health of Iowans. The grants are part of the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation’s large mini-grant program that awards organizations up to $25,000 for oral health projects.
“The Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation supports programs that directly impact Iowa’s underserved and improve access to oral health care,” said Jeff Russell, president of the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation. “Working with other non-profit organizations, the Foundation grants allow these organizations to expand on existing success and create new oral health programs in their communities.”
The organizations awarded grants by the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation include:
- Des Moines Health Center (Des Moines) received a $20,000 grant to help support coordination of care for the children served within the Smile Squad program.
- Iowa Dental Foundation (Johnston) received a $25,000 grant to help support the 2016 Iowa Mission of Mercy, a two-day free dental clinic where dental and medical professionals provide oral health care to individuals who face challenges receiving dental care.
- Iowa Dental Hygienists’ Association (Des Moines) received a grant for $5,600 to support continuing education opportunities at the Iowa Dental Hygienists’ Association Annual Meeting. An emphasis will be placed on enhanced understanding of chronic and emerging health issues affecting patients across the life span.
- Iowa Public Health Association (Des Moines) received a grant for $24,099 to support “Building Shared Value for Community Water Fluoridation in Iowa,” a project to secure community water fluoridation in Iowa. This project provides outreach and education, and supports communities statewide with credible fluoridation resources.
- Special Olympics Iowa (Grimes) received a $10,000 grant to support Special Smiles, an element of the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Program. This program provides athletes oral health screenings with dental professionals, oral hygiene instruction, and review and care coordination.
- The University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics (Iowa City) received a combined $79,479 to help support oral health research projects for children and aging Iowans, inter-professional practice partnerships and dental public health education opportunities.
Grant applications from Iowa agencies are reviewed twice a year in May and October. The Delta Dental mini-grant program is intended to support one-time oral health projects, such as workshops or conferences, or short-term projects up to one year in duration, such as a survey, data collection or research study. These grants are also used to stimulate long-term oral health projects and may be combined with funds from other sources.
Since 2002, Delta Dental of Iowa has provided more than $25 million to fund oral health projects through the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation and Public Benefit Program. For more information, visit deltadentalia.com and select Foundation Grant Funding.
About Delta Dental of Iowa
About Delta Dental of Iowa Delta Dental of Iowa is the largest and most experienced provider of dental benefits in the state. As a not-for-profit insurance company, Delta Dental of Iowa invests in oral health and wellness projects through the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation that focus on access to care, prevention, education and research. Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation’s mission is to support and improve the oral health of Iowans.
Delta Dental of Iowa is a member of the Delta Dental Plans Association, the leading national network of independent dental service corporations. The Delta Dental member companies provide dental benefits to more than 70 million Americans in more than 120,000 employee groups throughout the country. For more information, visit our website at www.deltadentalia.com.