DELTA DENTAL OF MISSOURI GIVES $1.8 MILLION+
TO SUPPORT COMMUNITY OUTREACH IN 2021


ST. LOUIS, Mo. (Feb. 2, 2022) … To help meet the dental health needs of children and adults, Delta Dental of Missouri – the state’s leading dental benefits provider – last year contributed more than $1.8 million to support oral health initiatives, educational programs and charitable causes in Missouri and in South Carolina, where it also does business. The funding is part of the non-profit company’s annual Mission Giving Program.

“2021 was another challenging year for so many of our neighbors,” said Rob Goren, president and chief executive officer at Delta Dental of Missouri. “By giving to a range of organizations that align with our mission to improve oral health, we can help thousands get vital dental care, supplies and services to improve their overall health and quality of life.”

During 2021, Delta Dental of Missouri awarded $1.1 million in oral health grant funding alone to 35 organizations in Missouri and South Carolina, which include the following 13 organizations in Missouri, which were most recently awarded much-needed funds:

  • Truman Medical Centers (Kansas City) – received $70,000 to purchase new dental chairs for their Lakewood Dental Clinic serving those on Medicaid and who are uninsured.
  • Upward Smiles, Inc. (Farmington/Festus) – received $70,000 for a new mobile unit to provide preventive and restorative dental services to children and pregnant women in need in school and community settings.
  • Give Kids A Smile (Maryland Heights) – received $50,000 to offer safe care to children during the pandemic by engaging volunteer dental professionals to provide complimentary, individual care in private dental offices across St. Louis in the fall of 2021, and for the organization’s free, comprehensive dental clinic for kids set for February 2022.
  • Missouri Dental Foundation (Jefferson City) – received $50,000 for its free, two-day Missouri Mission of Mercy dental clinic in St. Louis on July 15-16, 2022, serving those who cannot otherwise access dental care.
  • Heartland Outreach Providers (Kansas City) – received $35,000 for dental supplies and salary support for the HOPE Dental Program serving families with low incomes, seniors and patients with mental health conditions in Jackson County.
  • Community Clinic of Southwest Missouri (Joplin) – received $15,000 to have dental hygienists available through its clinic to offer dental cleanings to decrease cavities and improve the oral health of patients who are uninsured or underinsured.
  • Health Outreach Foundation (Kansas City) – received $15,000 to recruit additional dentists and dental professionals for its Homeless Dental Program in an effort to expand the number of patients seen.
  • Cass Community Health Foundation (Kansas City) – received $12,564 to purchase new dental equipment needed for the Cass County Dental Clinic serving those who are uninsured and those on Medicaid.
  • St. Louis Community College Foundation (St. Louis) – received $12,000 to purchase equipment needed to serve more children in its public dental clinic providing low-cost or no-cost dental screenings and cleanings.
  • Rural Parish Clinic of the Archdiocese of St. Louis (St. Louis) – received $10,000 to support the expansion of its mobile dental program providing free dental care to individuals who live in rural areas and are uninsured.
  • Dental Lifeline Network - Missouri (Jefferson City) – received $8,000 for the Missouri Donated Dental Services program providing free dental care to individuals with low incomes and a permanent disability, or those 65 years or older, or those who qualify as medically fragile.
  • Hope Faith - Homeless Assistance Campus (Kansas City) – received $5,000 for supplies needed to provide dental hygiene services at no cost for those experiencing homelessness in Kansas City.
  • Hope House, Inc. (Lee’s Summit) – received $5,000 to purchase dental clinic supplies for their free dental clinic serving those in need. 

During 2021, Delta Dental of Missouri’s total charitable contributions also included:

  • More than $149,000 in fluoridation grants for 15 Missouri counties in need of new or replacement equipment to start or continue community water fluoridation. This funding is helping to protect the oral health of nearly 120,000 Missourians who live in the impacted communities.
  • Funding for Delta Dental of Missouri’s virtual Land of Smiles® educational program, which was provided at no cost to 441 schools in Missouri and South Carolina, teaching good dental health habits to more than 105,000 children.
  • More than $122,000 in donations and free dental care supplies given to charitable and community organizations in Missouri and South Carolina, helping to improve the oral health and overall health of residents. 

Delta Dental of Missouri is currently accepting applications for the first grant cycle of its 2022 Oral Health Grant Program. To be eligible for an oral health grant from Delta Dental of Missouri, applicants in Missouri must first complete a letter of inquiry through the online application system at  https://www.deltadentalmo.com/AboutUs/oral-health-grant-program, which includes program guidelines and application instructions. Online letters of inquiry are due on February 25, 2022, and online applications are due on March 11, 2022. Applicants must be considered tax-exempt under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or be a public or governmental entity, such as a public school or health department, and serve the people of Missouri.

About Delta Dental of Missouri
Delta Dental of Missouri is the state’s leading dental benefits provider and a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization. It provides more than 2.1 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 provides access to affordable, high-quality vision care as well 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.