To help meet the dental health needs of adults, Delta Dental of South Carolina – a leading dental benefits provider and a non-profit organization – recently awarded a $40,000 oral health grant to HNC Living Foundation. The funds will help provide access to critical dental care for patients facing oral health challenges with head and neck cancer, who live in rural areas of South Carolina, and have low income and no dental insurance.
The funding is part of Delta Dental of South Carolina’s 2024 mission giving initiatives, which included awarding more than $132,000 in oral health grants to three organizations to support oral health initiatives, educational programs and charitable causes across the state.
Amy C. of Hartsville, South Carolina, received essential dental care through HNC Living Foundation. “I am so happy to have Delta Dental of South Carolina and HNC Living Foundation on my side during this fight with cancer,” she said. “Thank you, having my smile back feels so good. I have a reason to smile. I still have a long fight ahead but I know now I don’t fight alone.”
“We are so beyond grateful to Delta Dental for this partnership,” said Danielle Puzio, chief executive officer at HNC Living Foundation. “With this grant, we’ve already helped cancer patients with over 60 critical dental services to help them through treatment and beyond. This partnership is helping save lives.”
“Through our oral health grant program, we strive to help people live better lives through improved dental health,” said Stacy Harris, community outreach supervisor at Delta Dental of South Carolina. “By donating grants to a variety of organizations—like HNC Living Foundation—together, we can help thousands get vital dental care to enhance their overall health and quality of life.”
The company awards grants for general operations, programs, projects and capacity-building efforts promoting the oral health of individuals in South Carolina. Objectives of its grant program include:
- Reducing oral disease through education, prevention and treatment
- Ensuring access to affordable, timely and high-quality dental care
- Enhancing the awareness of good oral health with a focus on children and individuals in need
- Making a measurable difference in the oral health of South Carolinians
- Helping to ensure that South Carolina is among the states with the highest indicators of oral health.
To learn more, visit https://www.deltadentalsc.com/AboutUs/oral-health-grant-program.
About Delta Dental of South Carolina
Delta Dental of South Carolina is a trade name of Delta Dental of Missouri, a dental benefits provider and a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization, which operates in South Carolina under that name. It provides more than 370,000 members in South Carolina with access to affordable, high-quality dental care through group plans tailored to meet the needs of organizations of all sizes, from large corporations to small businesses with two or more employees. Delta Dental also offers dental benefit plans directly to individuals and families. It also provides access to affordable, high-quality vision care through group vision benefit plans. The company proudly supports oral health initiatives, educational programs and charitable causes that help educate people about the importance of dental health and provide free dental care to those in need. It also created the South Carolina Dental Care Resource Guide to help individuals access information about low-cost and free dental care options in their area—available online at www.DeltaDentalSC.com/ResourceGuide1. To learn more about the company, visit www.DeltaDentalSC.com.
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For more information, contact:
Kelly Harris
(314) 436-9090