Delta Dental gives more than $500,000 for oral health programs

Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation will give $518,855 to 20 nonprofit and community organizations for oral health programs in Arkansas. The foundation, through its community grants program, will donate the money for programs working to improve the oral health of nearly 70,000 Arkansans.

Those who were selected to receive grant money were board reviewed and chosen based on criteria, including the number of at-risk children or adults served by the program, the level of community engagement involved in providing oral health prevention and treatment and the ability to measure success and long-term results, according to a news release.

“During this grant cycle, we received a record number of applications,” said Weldon Johnson, executive director of the Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation. “From this, we can see that more organizations are understanding the connection between oral health and the overall wellness of individuals. We look forward to partnering with our 2018 grantees as they work to make a positive impact in improving the oral health of Arkansas.”

Following are some of the organizations receiving grant money:

• Baptist Health, $30,000
• Healthy Active Arkansas, $30,000
• Arkansas elementary schools, $50,000
• Special Olympics of Arkansas, $30,000
• University of Arkansas School for Medical Sciences Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, $30,000

Applications for 2019 grant funding will be available in July.