Columbia, Md. (PRWEB) May 25, 2017
The Delta Dental Community Care Foundation today announced a $17,000 grant to the Maryland State Dental Association Foundation (MSDA Foundation).
The MSDA Foundation is using the Delta Dental grant to purchase a box truck to transport dental equipment around the state, making it less expensive to provide free dental care via its Mission of Mercy clinics. By purchasing a box truck instead of renting trailers, the MSDA foundation will save time and money that can be directed to its patients.
Since its inception in 2011, the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation has awarded nearly $500,000 in grants to Maryland dental clinics serving underrepresented communities. The National Association of Dental Plans estimates that only 79% of Maryland residents have dental benefits, leaving more than 1 million people vulnerable to oral health problems. The MSDA Foundation’s Mission of Mercy events help lower that number.
“Delta Dental and the Maryland State Dental Association Foundation have a shared goal of improving the oral health of Maryland residents,” said Ken Yale, DDS, chief clinical officer for Delta Dental. “We’re thrilled we could fill the financial gap for the foundation to purchase a box truck to help thousands of underserved people in Maryland communities.”
“I have had the opportunity to participate in all 13 of the Maryland Dental Missions of Mercy. The Maryland State Dental Association Foundation is a wonderful volunteer organization which provides a great service to the underserved people of Maryland. I personally have found treating these patients to be a very rewarding experience,” said Leon Katz, DDS, MSDA Foundation board member and Mission of Mercy volunteer.
For more information about the MSDA Foundation, visit msda.com/.
About the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation
The Delta Dental Community Care Foundation provides approximately $4 million in annual grants to nonprofit community clinics and health care programs, striving to improve oral health for underserved children and adults through treatment and education. It is the philanthropic branch of Delta Dental of Pennsylvania and its affiliates, which together provide dental benefits to nearly 35 million people in 15 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The affiliated companies, which include Delta Dental of California, Delta Dental of New York, Inc., and Delta Dental Insurance Company, are part of the Delta Dental Plans Association, whose member companies collectively cover 74 million people nationwide.
About Maryland State Dental Association Foundation
Led by a team of dentists and community members, the Maryland State Dental Association Foundation is dedicated to improving lives through improving oral health. The MSDA Foundation has provided organizational guidance, equipment, infrastructure and over $200,000 in support to Mission of Mercy clinics through monetary and in-kind donations. Through these clinics, the MSDA Foundation has helped provide over $10,000,000 in donated dental care to more than 8,000 patients. MSDA Foundation also supports charitable outreach through education, data collection, and scholarships to dental students who have a promising future in philanthropy.