Delta Dental of Wisconsin’s charitable fund supports critical oral health programs across the state
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Contact:
Amanda Lowery
Corporate Communications Manager
Delta Dental of Wisconsin’s Charitable Fund Supports Critical Oral Health Programs Across the State
Community Grants Program Awards more than $475,000 to Wisconsin Organizations
STEVENS POINT, WI. (December 10, 2014) – Delta Dental of Wisconsin, a local non-profit dental insurance organization, provided oral health grants to more than 20 organizations throughout the state. Oral health is an integral component to overall health. Many diseases and conditions have oral signs and symptoms. Likewise, many systemic conditions can have a direct effect on the mouth.
“At Delta Dental of Wisconsin, we believe everyone deserves access to good oral healthcare. For that reason, we support not-for-profit dental programs that are committed to serving the needs of low-income patients and those affected by medical conditions that impact their oral health,” noted Ann Boson, director of Delta Dental of Wisconsin’s Charitable Fund. “But we don’t stop there; access to care is directly impacted by the resources available within our communities which is another reason we continue to support students studying dentistry and dental hygiene.”
In addition to major statewide philanthropic efforts, Delta Dental of Wisconsin’s Charitable Fund awarded the following community grants in 2014 to help improve the oral health and ongoing access to care for Wisconsin residents.
American Diabetes Association – Camp Marrakesh and Camp Lakota, Wisconsin
Being diagnosed with diabetes is challenging, but it is exceptionally difficult as a child. The American Diabetes Association-Wisconsin Chapter established two camps to help children and their families cope with their diagnosis and provide support from others living with the disease. Delta Dental of Wisconsin’s grant helped add an oral health education component to the program that provides awareness of the critical importance of good oral habits for individuals with diabetes.
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Green Bay
Funding was provided for dental hygiene supplies used at eight community events where care was performed by dental hygiene students. The program provides needed oral care to low-income and elderly individuals while giving students the opportunity to hone their skills during summer months.
Brown County Oral Health Partnership, Green Bay
Through a grant from Delta Dental, Brown County Oral Health Partnership was able to expand the children’s dental clinic at Howe Elementary to meet the demand for services and reduce the waiting list. The expansion provided an additional dental chair, created a more efficient work flow, and will allow the clinic to add 300 dental appointments. Brown County Oral Health Partnership provides care to more than 12,000 children each year.
Tri-County Community Dental Clinic, Appleton
Delta Dental has provided a grant for the past four years to Tri-County Community Dental’s Focus on the Children program, which serves more than 1,500 children each year. The program is designed to reach younger children with preventive care and treatment by collaborating with area elementary schools for screenings, and then transporting the children to the dental clinic for needed services. In addition, individuals residing in Calumet, Outagamie, and Winnebago counties also have access to dental care via Tri-County Community Dental, which provides care to 4,300 adults and another 5,000 children.
Ministry Door County Medical Center Dental Clinic, Sturgeon Bay
A grant from Delta Dental allowed the dental clinic at Ministry Door County Medical to purchase a panoramic X-ray machine, which will allow dentists to provide better onsite care for their patients. The dental clinic annually serves 1,600 patients.
Northlakes Community Clinic, Ashland and Iron River
Across the large and very rural service area of Northlakes Community Clinic, many people do not have access to oral care, especially low-income and Medicaid patients. The dentists at Northlakes were trained to do procedures including root canals but lacked the necessary equipment. With the grant from Delta Dental, endodontic equipment was purchased for their dental clinics in Ashland and Iron River to help meet this need. Early estimates show that 20 patients each month are receiving root canal tooth-saving procedures.
Church Health Services, Beaver Dam
Delta Dental provided a grant to purchase dental equipment for the new dental clinic at Church Health Services. Dental care is provided to uninsured individuals at the clinic and now, due to a pilot project grant from the Charitable Fund, Amish children will also receive dental care.
Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin recently acquired the North Avenue Dental Clinic, which was on the verge of closure. A grant from Delta Dental will allow for IT improvements, and needed equipment updates, which will ensure care to this low-income area. These operational efficiencies will allow the clinic to care for an additional 10 children each day.
AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW), Milwaukee and Green Bay
ARCW requested a grant to purchase a health management software designed to proactively manage patient’s care plans, which will now include tracking dental outcomes as related to health conditions.
Waukesha County Community Dental Clinic, Waukesha
A grant from Delta Dental provided funding for a new panoramic X-ray machine, with enhanced technology for greater efficiencies.
Affordable Dental, Inc., Whitewater
Low-cost dental care is provided to Walworth County residents through a unique dental clinic. The agency does not accept insurance, but reduces the normal dental fees to help uninsured individuals receive care. The program has a waiting list and the grant from Delta Dental for additional equipment will help improve productivity, and thus increase the number of patients they can serve each year.
Dental Hygiene Scholarships, Wisconsin Technical Colleges
Keeping a strong dental workforce is a key component of Delta Dental’s mission. In support of that goal, scholarships are awarded at nine technical colleges within the state that have dental hygiene programs.
Marquette University College of Dentistry, Statewide
Delta Dental has partnered with Marquette University on several initiatives to support future dentists. Scholarships are provided annually to 23 dental students who are residents of Wisconsin. In addition, up to two fellows each year are awarded grants to provide dental care in rural settings, while improving their skills.
By providing grants and partnering with oral health programs around the state, Delta Dental is able to help fulfill its mission of improving oral health by extending access to care, advancing science, and supporting an effective oral-health workforce. Delta Dental of Wisconsin is now accepting Charitable Fund grant applications for 2015 that have an oral health focus. To learn more about grant qualifications or to apply, visit http://www.deltadentalwi.com/charitable-fund/guidelines-requests-pdf.
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About Delta Dental of Wisconsin
For more than 50 years, Delta Dental has been working to maintain healthy communities and healthy teeth. We provide dental benefits and services to more Wisconsin companies, subscribers, and their family members than any other insurance carrier. Our mission is to improve oral health and wellness by extending access to care, advancing science, and supporting an effective oral-health workforce. Through Delta Dental of Wisconsin’s Charitable Fund, we are committed to advancing solutions for Wisconsin’s oral health.
