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/ Delta Dental Foundation Announces Grants of More Than $921,000 in Connecticut to Improve Oral Health of At-Risk Populations and Support Workforce Development in Dental Care

Delta Dental Foundation Announces Grants of More Than $921,000 in Connecticut to Improve Oral Health of At-Risk Populations and Support Workforce Development in Dental Care

Fifteen Organizations Receive Grants, Benefitting Almost 6,800 Individuals and Families

GLASTONBURY, CT – September 16, 2024—The Delta Dental Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of New Jersey and Connecticut (DDCT), has announced that 15 organizations will receive $921,383 in grant funding to the benefit of more than 6,783 individuals and families throughout Connecticut. The grants seek to improve the oral care of uninsured and underinsured populations in the state, as well as support workforce development programs assisting students entering dental careers.

The funding will reach throughout the state of Connecticut through a range of SMILE and SMILE Workforce grants to help maintain the dental health of seniors, developmentally disabled adults and children, disadvantaged children, and veterans. This year, a special series of Workforce grants were funded to renew or start programs addressing the dental workforce pipeline, specifically relating to dental assistants, which has experienced a severe shortage during recent years.

“Our Foundation focuses on supporting programs that address oral health care challenges, which help improve access to dental care and education for Connecticut residents,” said Dennis G. Wilson, president and CEO of Delta Dental of New Jersey and Connecticut and vice president of the Delta Dental Foundation. “A healthy smile is invaluable to our overall health, our self-esteem, and our relationships. We remain committed to our communities and our belief that everyone deserves a healthy smile.”

$301,212 in SMILE Grants and SMILE Mini Grants were provided to 10 state-based organizations to address oral care among at-risk populations. SMILE Workforce grants, in the amount of $620,181, were provided to 5 Connecticut entities.  Several of the organizations received funding for both grant programs.

Notable recipients include:

  • University of Bridgeport received $420,268 to support the University’s Senior Smiles program and its expanded function dental assistant program, which provides dental assistants with career growth opportunities and also addresses the workforce shortage issue.
  • The University of Connecticut Foundation will receive $35,000 to support UConn’s Expansion of Open Wide for Veterans program, which will support direct patient care, including dentures, for underserved veterans.
  • The Community Health Center Association of Connecticut has been granted $100,000 to support a needs assessment across state community health centers relating to dental assistant vacancies and growth opportunities.
  • To support Special Smiles dental screenings, follow-up care, and dental education for athletes, $10,000 has been allocated to Special Olympics of Connecticut.