The Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation of Sherwood on Thursday unveiled a $1.3 million grant program aimed at improving Arkansans’ oral health.
The program, called Smiles: Possible, is part of the foundation’s five-year strategic plan to provide communities with oral health education, prevention and treatment. It aims to fund Arkansas-based nonprofits or community organizations, governmental agencies and educational facilities that aim to improve oral health.
Specifically, the program is seeking to fund initiatives that:
- Reduce the proportion of adults with untreated dental decay or periodontal disease.
- Increase the proportion of low-income children and adolescents who receive preventative dental care.
- Address social determinants of health, offer creative solutions specific to the community requesting funding, or expand existing programs.
“Good oral hygiene is critical to residents’ overall well-being. Yet Arkansas consistently falls in the lowest ranks for oral health,” said Chrissy Chatham, executive director of the Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation. “This new grant program allows us to take a bite out of dental decay and gum disease in adults and increase preventive services, including exams, cleanings, and fluoride varnish, for children and adolescents in low-income households to significantly improve the health of all Arkansans.”
Organizations can apply through Dec. 16 here.
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