Delta Dental Of Missouri

Oral health grant program program description: delta dental of missouri's oral health grant program helps reduce dental disease through education, prevention and treatment; ensure access to affordable, timely and high-quality dental care; and enhance awareness of good oral health with a focus on children and underserved individuals. In 2024, delta dental of missouri awarded nearly $1.2 million in grants to 32 missouri and south carolina organizations, which align with its non-profit mission to improve oral health. Funding included direct care grants; equipment/capital grants; workforce development; educational grants; and loan repayment grants for dentists who commit to serving in a dental health professional shortage area. The company accepts grant applications annually. To be eligible for an oral health grant, applicants in both states must first complete a letter of intent through the online grant application system. Applicants must be considered tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) of the internal revenue code, or be a public or governmental entity, such as a public school or health department, and serve the people of missouri or south carolina. The minimum grant amount is $5,000. Oral health grants greater than $5,000 are included in schedule i. Delta dental of missouri began administering this oral health grant program online in 2017.

Land of smiles program program description: delta dental of missouri's land of smiles is an educational program that features captivating characters, who teach grade schoolers good dental health habits. The program is available in a live, in-person and virtual format. In 2024, delta dental of missouri invested more than $368,000 to educate nearly 84,000 missouri and south carolina kindergarten-through-3rd-grade students in 449 schools. Students learn the importance of brushing teeth twice a day, flossing, eating healthy foods and visiting the dentist regularly. Delta dental of missouri offers free "smile bags" to schools for students who participate in the program. Each bag includes a toothbrush, toothpaste and dental floss to help students practice the good oral health habits that they learn. Each school is responsible for distributing the bags to participating students who attend school in person or virtually. A survey of school nurses showed that 99% would like to have the program return to their school. Pre- and post-test data also showed a 30% increase in children's oral health knowledge after viewing the program. Longevity: this program has been in place in missouri since 2002, and in south carolina since 2014.

Community giving program program description: through delta dental of missouri's community giving program, the company supports charitable organizations and programs that are working to make a difference in missouri and south carolina communities. Delta dental of missouri considers community giving requests each quarter from registered 501(c)(3) charitable organizations, which serve individuals in missouri or south carolina, and support the overall health and well-being of the community with a focus on at-risk populations. More than $90,000 in community donations were awarded in 2024. Organizations may apply for funding once per year. Delta dental of missouri's community giving includes oral health supply donations of toothbrushes and dental floss to organizations to help individuals maintain good oral hygiene for better dental health. In 2024, delta dental of missouri donated more than 225,000 dental supply items to 39 organizations as part of the land of smiles program.