Dental Safety Net Programs Receive Big Boost from Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation

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• USA - English

ROANOKE, Va. (PRWEB) February 15, 2018 -- The Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation has awarded $370,500 in grants to support 40 organizations committed to improving oral health across the Commonwealth.

The grants were awarded to tax-exempt organizations whose work will improve the oral health of uninsured or under-insured Virginians through education and access to care. (Full list of grant recipients below.)

“Delta Dental believes in the power of a healthy smile and the importance of oral health to overall health and well-being,” said Frank Lucia, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Virginia. “We are proud to partner with these wonderful organizations to improve the lives of so many Virginians.”

The foundation has provided more than $4.2 million in funding to 63 organizations over the past six years. Founded in 2012 with an initial $2.5 million donation from Delta Dental of Virginia, the foundation provides grants to Virginia not-for-profit organizations with a focus on community-based safety-net programs.

Many of the grants awarded focus on key areas of need throughout Virginia – the state’s youth, the uninsured and medically underserved population and dental professionals in training. The foundation partners with community organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs to provide oral health care and education to children who lack dental insurance or who qualify for Medicaid or Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (FAMIS).

Organizations eligible to receive grants from the Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation include governmental agencies or educational institutions, entities holding a 501(c)(3) tax-exemption, or organizations with a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt fiscal sponsor. Information regarding grant eligibility and application can be found online at http://deltadentalva.com/ddvafoundation.aspx.

Here is a list of grant recipients:

Arlington Free Clinic: $5,000 for dental equipment.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia, Roanoke: $5,000 for Smart Smiles® At the Dentist Program.
Boys & Girls Clubs of The Virginia Peninsula, Newport News: $5,000 for Smart Smiles® At the Dentist Program.
Bradley Free Clinic, Roanoke: $20,000 for support of VCU dental students/ Access to Dental Days.
Central Virginia Health Services, Inc., New Canton: $7,500 for dental equipment.
CHIP of Roanoke Valley: $5,000 for fluoride varnish application/in-home dental education.
Charlottesville Free Clinic: $5,000 for dental supplies.
Christian Free Clinic of Botetourt: $2,000 for dental equipment.
Dr. Richard F. Clark Help Clinics, Hampton: $5,000 for a dental assistant.
Community Youth Program at St. John’s, Inc., Roanoke: $4,000 for oral hygiene education, dental appointments and transportation.
Craig County Rural Health Care Corporation, New Castle: $10,000 for school-based oral health services.
CrossOver Healthcare Ministry, Richmond: $5,000 for salary support and supplies.
Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services: $3,000 for preventive dental exams.
Eastern Shore Rural Health System, Inc., Onancock: $15,000 for dental chair for wheelchair patients.
Fauquier Free Clinic, Warrenton: $4,000 for dental equipment.
The Fenwick Foundation, Arlington: $5,000 for dental care for long-term care residents.
Goochland Free Clinic and Family Services: $5,000 for expansion of dental hygiene services.
Hanover Interfaith Free Clinic: $7,500 for pay dental lab for dentures.
Healing Hands Health Center, Bristol: $10,000 to continue dental program.
Health Focus of Southwest Virginia, Roanoke: $5,000 for dental education scholarships.
Isle of Wight Christian Outreach Program: $5,000 to increase number of patients served.
Lackey Free Clinic, Yorktown: $10,000 to support part-time dentist.
Lloyd F. Moss Free Clinic, Fredericksburg: $5,000 for dental supplies.
Lucy Corr Foundation, Chesterfield: $10,000 to expand dental care to seniors.
Mel Leaman Free Clinic, Marion: $5,000 for dental equipment and supplies.
New Horizons Healthcare, Roanoke: $5,000 for training for community dental health coordinator.
Northern Neck-Middlesex Free Health Clinic, Kilmarnock: $7,500 in support of VCU dental students.
Northern Virginia Dental Clinic, Inc.: $5,000 for dental supplies.
Olde Towne Medical & Dental Center, Williamsburg: $5,000 for dental equipment and supplies.
Park Place Dental Clinic, Norfolk: $5,000 for operational expenses to keep clinic open
Piedmont Regional Dental Clinic, Orange: $5,000 in support of "Smile Time and dental exams in school.
Piedmont Virginia Dental Health Foundation, Martinsville: $10,000 for support of dental clinic providing services to low-income adults and children.
Prince William Area Free Clinic, Woodbridge: $7,500 to provide dental screenings and referrals.
RAM of Virginia, Wise: $10,000 in free dental services to those in need.
Virginia Dental Association Foundation, Richmond: $15,000 for dental equipment/repairs and supplies.
Virginia Health Care Foundation, Richmond: $45,000 to pay for a Dental Opportunities Champion position
Virginia Oral Health Coalition, Glen Allen: $7,500 for online toolkits for medical and dental providers on the importance of oral health care during pregnancy.
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke: $50,000 for a two-year pilot program integrating oral healthcare exams and fluoride varnishing for children into family medicine and pediatric practices.
Virginia Western Community College Education Foundation, Roanoke: $20,000 to strengthen dental hygiene program.
Western Tidewater Free Clinic, Suffolk: $5,000 for dental supplies.

About Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation

Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation was founded by Delta Dental of Virginia to help improve the oral health and, subsequently, overall body health of the people of the Commonwealth. The foundation focuses its support on initiatives that improve oral health with sustainable solutions through improved access to oral care, oral health education or oral health research. For more information, visit http://www.deltadentalva.com/ddvafoundation.aspx.

Thomas Becher, ndp, +1 (540) 772-3942, [email protected]