DELTA DENTAL AWARDS $185,950 TO HELP IMPROVE ORAL HEALTH AMONG MISSOURIANS

Thousands to Receive Vital Dental Care Through Funded Organizations

ST. LOUIS, Mo (Nov. 21, 2025) … Delta Dental of Missouri — a non-profit organization and the state’s leading dental benefits provider and oral health philanthropist — has awarded a total of $185,950 in oral health grants to eight organizations aligned with its mission to improve oral health. The funding will help further oral health initiatives, educational programs and charitable causes that address disparities and expand access to care for thousands of children and adults across Missouri.

Among those funded was Hope House in Lee’s Summit, which received $15,000 to help maintain and upgrade its on-site dental clinic providing free oral health care to survivors of domestic violence. Services include emergency exams, checkups, cleanings, x-rays, fillings, sealants, extractions and root canals. Those with care needs that extend beyond the clinic’s scope are referred to local dentists and receive direct financial assistance and transportation support.

MaryAnne Metheny, CEO of Hope House, commented on the impact of this funding. “Hope House is grateful for Delta Dental’s continued support of our on-site dental clinic,” said Metheny. “This grant has allowed us to continue providing essential dental services to domestic violence survivors in Kansas City. In 2024, we assisted 91 clients through our dental clinic, and this year, we’ve served 88 clients so far.”

Delta Dental of Missouri also awarded oral health grant funding to the following organizations:

• Give Kids A Smile® (St. Louis) received $30,000 to further its no-cost, comprehensive dental clinics and year-round outreach efforts targeting underserved children in St. Louis County, St. Charles County and the City of St. Louis.

• Fordland Clinic (Fordland) received $27,450 to purchase a dental chair and sterilization unit to meet the growing service demands of seniors and patients with disabilities through its dental clinics and mobile unit.

• We Care Mobile Dental Foundation (St. Louis) received $25,000 to further its mobile dental program delivering on-site care to low-income and mobility-challenged older adults in independent and assisted living facilities, nursing homes and adult daycares.

• Seton Center (Kansas City) received $25,000 to provide charitable, uncompensated care through its dental clinic serving uninsured and low-income residents in Jackson, Clay and Ray counties.

• St. Louis County Senior Tax Levy Initiative (St. Louis) received $25,000 to support a collaborative campaign raising awareness about the growing oral health needs among seniors and the benefits of a senior property tax levy.

• Missouri Coalition for Oral Health (Jefferson City) received $25,000 to continue statewide advocacy and initiatives, strengthening Missouri’s oral health workforce and increasing access to dental care for underserved populations.

• Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater St. Louis (St. Louis) received $13,500 to help relaunch its dental clinic providing preventive dental services to children and youth from low-income families.

“We are thrilled to partner with each of these organizations to help eliminate the harsh realities of oral health disparities in our state,” stated Stacy Harris, community impact program manager at Delta Dental of Missouri. “Supporting this type of life-changing work furthers our mission to help people of all ages live better lives through improved dental health.”

Delta Dental of Missouri awards grants annually for general operations, programs, projects and capacity-building efforts promoting the oral health of individuals in Missouri. Objectives of its grant program include:

• Reducing oral disease through education, prevention and treatment

• Ensuring access to affordable, timely and high-quality dental care

• Enhancing the awareness of good oral health with a focus on children and individuals in need

• Making a measurable difference in the oral health of Missourians

• Helping to ensure that Missouri is among the states with the highest indicators of oral health.

To learn more, visit https://www.deltadentalmo.com/AboutUs/oral-health-grant-program.

About Delta Dental of Missouri

Delta Dental of Missouri is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization and the state’s leading dental benefits provider and oral health philanthropist. It provides more than 2.41 million members with access to affordable, high-quality dental care through group plans tailored to meet the needs of organizations of all sizes, from large corporations to small businesses with two or more employees. Delta Dental also offers dental benefit plans directly to individuals and families. It also provides access to affordable, high-quality vision care through group vision benefit plans. The company proudly supports oral health initiatives, educational programs and charitable causes that help educate people about the importance of dental health and provide free dental care to those in need. Delta Dental of Missouri also created the Missouri Dental Care Resource Guide to help individuals access information about low-cost and free dental care options in their area—available online at www.DeltaDentalMO.com/ResourceGuide1. To learn more about the company, visit www.DeltaDentalMO.com.