Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation awards $3.4M in grants

This article was originally published here.

 

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation recently awarded more than $3.4 million in grants to 64 nonprofits, programs and initiatives across the state that aim to improve the oral health of Oklahomans.

“Delta Dental and our foundation are proud to support programs and organizations throughout the state that lower barriers to dental care,” said John Gladden, chairman, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Oklahoma. “Their work helps improve the health and overall quality of life across our state.”

The grants support free and low-cost dental clinics, oral health education programs, dental student scholarships and more, helping to make oral health care more accessible for Oklahomans who need it most. Notably, there are ten new grantees this year.

“Delta Dental of Oklahoma and its Foundation understand highly trained dentists and dental hygienists are essential to improving oral health outcomes in our state,” said Paul M. Mullasseril, D.D.S., M.S., and dean of the OU College of Dentistry. “Their generous grants to the OU College of Dentistry help patients access care, and support the education, research and training of Oklahoma’s future dental professionals.”

This year’s grantees include:

  • University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry for dental and dental hygiene student scholarships, research projects, externships, philanthropic events and more.
  • Crossings Community Clinic for its free dental clinics in north and central Oklahoma City.
  • Neighborhood Services Organization for its low-cost dental clinic and educational outreach.
  • Dentists for the Disabled and Elderly in Need of Treatment (D-DENT) to provide free dental care to low-income elderly, disabled and veterans.
  • New Grantee OSU Foundation to cover urgent dental care costs for former foster youth and other students with significant barriers to education and dental care.
  • Eastern Oklahoma Donated Dental Services (EODDS) to provide dental care and dentures for low-income, elderly and disabled patients.
  • ReMerge of Oklahoma County to provide dental care services to pregnant women and mothers of minor children in its female incarceration diversion program.
  • New Grantee Healthy Schools Oklahoma for oral health education in schools.
  • Catholic Charities of Eastern Oklahoma for its free dental clinic in Tulsa.
  • Special Olympics Oklahoma for its Special Athletes Healthy Smiles Program.
  • New Grantee Resonance Center for Women to provide dental care to formerly incarcerated women.
  • Compassion Outreach Center for their free dental clinic in Ada.
  • Sterling Angel of Smiles to provide free dental care to underserved residents of long-term care facilities.
  • New Grantee Health Alliance for the Uninsured to provide education to care for diabetic patients with oral health needs.
  • Remote Area Medical (RAM) Oklahoma for its free medical, vision and dental clinic event.
  • HNC Living Foundation to provide dental care to low-income Oklahomans with head and neck cancers.
  • New Grantee Southern Plains Tribal Health Board to support the Oklahoma Partnerships for Dental Access.
  • $6,900 to OSU Pre-Dental Student Organization to encourage students at OSU to pursue careers in the dental field.
  • Variety Care Health Center to provide dental care access for low-income pregnant women.
  • New Grantee Autism Oklahoma to create a film titled “Facing Your Fears of Visiting the Dentist.”
  • Gateway to Prevention & Recovery to provide dental care for recovery clients.
  • New Grantee Moore Faith Medical Clinic to purchase equipment for a new free dental clinic.
  • Lend a Hand CAN Foundation to distribute oral hygiene packets and education to homebound seniors, low-income high schoolers and the unhoused in Tulsa.
  • Morton Comprehensive Health Services to provide dental care access to homeless patients and low-income, uninsured patients.
  • New Grantee Wings Special Needs Community to purchase dental hygiene materials for specialized kits.
  • HealthCorps to provide dental health education to Oklahoma teenagers.
  • Smile for Good Foundation for mouthguard access and education program.
  • Tri-County Technology Center for its dental hygiene program and volunteer dental clinic, which provides free and low-cost care for qualifying patients.
  • WaterRock Ministries for its free dental clinic in central OKC.
  • Western Technology Center for the WTC/OU Dental Hygiene Program’s community health projects in Weatherford.
  • Southern Oklahoma Technology Center for the SOTC/OU Dental Hygiene Clinic, which provides low-cost and free dental hygiene services in Ardmore.
  • New Grantee Tulsa Community College for its dental hygiene program.
  • Northern Oklahoma College, Oklahoma City Community College, Rose State College, Tulsa Community College, and Western Oklahoma State College each to fund scholarships for non-traditional students entering dental-related careers.

Funds also benefit ongoing Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation programs including dental sealant clinics for youth in Oklahoma schools, free mouthguard program, urgent care funds and community outreach.

To learn more about the Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation, visit ddokfoundation.org.