Funding Includes $27,450 for Fordland Clinic in Fordland
Research shows a strong link between protecting smiles and improving oral health and overall well-being. Yet disparities prevent many Missourians from getting vital dental care. To help combat this, Delta Dental of Missouri—a non-profit organization and the state’s leading dental benefits provider—recently awarded $185,950 in oral health grants to eight organizations that align with its mission to improve oral health. This includes $27,450 for Fordland Clinic in Fordland, Mo.
Fordland Clinic is using the funds to purchase a dental chair and sterilization unit to meet the growing service demands of seniors and patients with disabilities through its dental clinics and mobile unit.
“We are incredibly grateful to Delta Dental of Missouri for their generous support, which allowed us to purchase vital dental equipment, including a new dental chair and updated sterilization equipment,” stated Dave Steinmann, CEO of the Fordland Clinic. “These updates allow us to better serve our patients with safe, high-quality care and continue meeting the evolving needs of our community. Their support directly impacts the health and well-being of the families we serve every day.”
Oral health grant funding was also provided to Give Kids A Smile®, We Care Mobile Dental Foundation, the St. Louis County Senior Tax Levy Initiative and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis in St. Louis; Seton Center and Hope House in Kansas City, and Missouri Coalition for Oral Health in Jefferson City. Funds will be used to support mobile dental programming, educational campaigns and no-cost oral health care for children, youth, older adults, survivors of domestic violence and low-incomes residents.
“We are thrilled to partner with each of these organizations to help eliminate the harsh realities of oral health disparities in our state,” stated Stacy Harris, executive director of community impact at Delta Dental of Missouri. “Supporting this type of life-changing work furthers our mission to help people of all ages live better lives through improved dental health.”
Delta Dental of Missouri awards grants annually for general operations, programs, projects and capacity-building efforts promoting the oral health of individuals in Missouri. 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 Missourians
· Helping to ensure that Missouri is among the states with the highest indicators of oral health.
To learn more, visit https://www.deltadentalmo.com/AboutUs/oral-health-grant-program.
About Delta Dental of Missouri
Delta Dental of Missouri is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization and the state’s leading dental benefits provider. It provides more than 2.41 million members 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. Delta Dental of Missouri also created the Missouri Dental Care Resource Guide to help individuals access information about low-cost and free dental care options in their area—available online at https://www.deltadentalmo.com/resourceguide. To learn more about the company, visit www.DeltaDentalMO.com.
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For more information, contact:
Kelly Harris
(314)-436-9090
kelly@hausergrouppr.com