Northeast Delta Dental Foundation supports oral health initiatives with over $794,000 in Grants

Northeast Delta Dental Foundation announced it supported 59 tri-state organizations with $794,450 in grants in 2024. Initiatives chosen supported a variety of oral health categories including funding for dental clinics, in-school programs, scholarships, research, education, recruitment and events.

“As we continue on our mission to ensure that oral health care is accessible to all, we are always looking for impactful and creative solutions,” explained Jennifer Beyer, Senior Manager, Corporate Giving, Northeast Delta Dental. “So, we are thrilled with the depth and breadth of the 2024 awards and grateful to the work of our dedicated grantees.”

Maine organizations benefitting from grants included the Jessie Albert Dental & Orthodontic Center in Bath, a program of Catholic Charities Maine.  The Center received $15,000 to purchase new supplies and equipment. Maine Equal Justice, a civil legal aid organization for those with low income, that successfully advocated for a comprehensive dental benefit for adults enrolled in MaineCare, was a recipient of a $10,000 grant. The Foundation also gave $12,500 to Dental Lifeline Network to help provide critical dental care to people with disabilities, elderly individuals, and those who are medically fragile.

In New Hampshire, Sullivan County Oral Health Collaborative, a comprehensive dental health initiative supporting a school-based program and preventative and emergency care, was a recipient of a $50,000 grant. Aspire Living & Learning received $10,000 to enhance dental care for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities for specialty services typically not included in Medicaid coverage, such as root canals or certain oral surgeries. Southwestern Community Services was granted $15,000 to establish an oral health component for its Head Start locations. The grant will be used for screenings and care for children and parents as well as dental supplies.

Vermont was able to expand its oral health initiatives with several Foundation grants, including a donation of $25,000 to Community Health Centers of the Rutland Region to purchase a 3D X-ray machine. The organization serves 9,000 adults and children. The Foundation also granted funds to People’s Health and Wellness Clinic, which provides services to underrepresented populations. Additionally, Dartmouth Health’s Center for Advancing Rural Health Equity was granted $8,000 to provide training in the use of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for oral health to pediatric and adult healthcare providers in Vermont and New Hampshire.

Since 1995, the philanthropic arm of Northeast Delta Dental, the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation has supported organizations and initiatives in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont that provide oral health education and dental care to uninsured and underserved people. The mission of the Foundation is to advance the importance of good oral health.

In addition, Northeast Delta Dental supports numerous organizations, events and initiatives important to the communities through a corporate grant application process.