Delta Dental of Arizona has announced $600,000 in grants ranging from $2,500 to $35,000 to 31 nonprofits around the state that provide access to preventive oral healthcare and dental education to underserved populations.
The grants will be used to fund safety net clinics, community health centers, oral health education, dental health awareness programs, and oral health coalitions. They also will support specialized care using mobile clinics, embedded dental screenings and fluoride varnish treatments in 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 preventive care and educational resources in the communities they serve,” said Allan Allford, CEO and president of Delta Dental of Arizona.
“This funding will make an immediate positive impact on the oral health of Arizonans across the entire state, and that is something in which Delta Dental of Arizona takes great pride,” Allford said.
Services will include:
- Silver diamine fluoride treatments through the University of Arizona’s First Smiles program
- Healthcare 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 in February at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix
- The Sun Life Family Health Center providing oral health screenings and fluoride varnish treatments to 1,5000 students in 24 elementary schools in Case Grande
- Teledentistry services through Tooth BUDDS in remote areas of Graham and Greenlee counties
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