June 28, 2012 – A former speech pathologist whose work with severely handicapped children inspired her to study dentistry is a new member of the board of directors the DentaQuest Foundation, a philanthropic organization committed to support and promote optimal oral health. Dr. Leslie Grant, DMD, of Baltimore, is a dental compliance officer for the Maryland State Board of Dental Examiners.
“Dr. Grant adds valuable experience to our mission to improve oral health,” said Ralph Fuccillo, president of the DentaQuest Foundation. “She is an important voice in the dental care community. I welcome Dr. Grant to our Foundation Board of Directors and greatly appreciate her national role in policy development, advocacy for oral health equity, and leadership in community engagement. Her commitment to promoting leadership across the dental professions to reach our most vulnerable populations is an essential component of her many contributions to our philanthropic work.”
The DentaQuest Foundation supports and promotes optimal oral health by collaborating with partners in communities across the United States. The DentaQuest Foundation is connecting key stakeholders, raising awareness, and supporting solutions focused on four systems — Policy, Funding, Care and Community—where there is potential to make significant improvements on behalf of optimal oral health for all.
Prior to her current position, Dr. Grant was a private practitioner. Earlier in her career, she worked as a speech-language pathologist at hospitals across the country, including Washington State Cerebral Palsy Center, Kennedy Hospital for Children and North Jersey Developmental Center. There she taught severely handicapped children how to use the muscles in their mouths—an experience that opened the door to a new profession.
Dr. Grant is Past President and Chair of the Legislative Committee for the National Dental Association. She is also on the Legislative and Governmental Affairs Council and Academy of General Dentistry, and is an affiliate with the American Association of Women Dentists, Multicultural Oral Health Alliance, American Dental Association, American College of Dentists, Pierre Fauchard Academy, Henry Schein Oral Health Advisory Board, International College of Dentists and World Vision.
Dr. Grant received the National Dental Association Presidents Award (2004) and University of Maryland Dental School Dean’s Alumni Award of Excellence (2004).
About the DentaQuest Foundation
The DentaQuest Foundation invests in national and community-based efforts to improve oral health for all Americans through its support of prevention and access to oral health care, and through its partnerships with funders, policy makers, and community leaders. For more information, please visit dentaquestfoundation.org. The DentaQuest Foundation is supported by DentaQuest. DentaQuest is a leading oral health company, administering prevention-focused dental benefits to nearly 15 million individuals across the United States.
