In the words of renowned humanitarian Mother Teresa, “We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.” Understanding how important a healthy smile is, Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation (DDAZF) is proud to announce $600,000 in grants to 31 deserving non-profits around the state that provide access to preventive oral health care and dental education to some of the state’s most underserved populations.
How are the funds used?
The grants fund safety net clinics, community health centers, oral health education, dental health awareness programs and oral health coalitions. In addition, these grants go to advance specialized care utilizing mobile clinics, embedding dental screenings and fluoride varnish treatments into medical well visits and teledentistry while expanding treatment options like silver diamine fluoride.
Who do the grants benefit?
Grants range from $2,500 to $35,000 and support a broad spectrum of preventive services, including silver diamine fluoride treatments through University of Arizona’s First Smiles Program; health care for homeless pregnant women served by Maggie’s Place; a home visiting program assisting at-risk families administered by the Verde Valley Medical Center in Cottonwood; an interactive dental health magic show and visits from dentists during Children’s Dental Health Month (February) at the Children’s Museum of Phoenix; Sun Life Family Health Center providing oral health screening and fluoride varnish treatments to 1,500 students in 24 elementary schools in Casa Grande; and teledentistry services through Tooth BUDDS in remote areas of Graham and Greenlee counties.
