DELTA DENTAL OF SOUTH CAROLINA WELCOMES APPLICATIONS
FOR ORAL HEALTH GRANTS TO AID SOUTH CAROLINIANS

Funding Continues to Help Thousands Live Better Lives Through Improved Dental Health

 

SPARTANBURG, SC. (June 28, 2023) … Delta Dental of South Carolina – a leading dental benefits provider and non-profit organization – is now welcoming applications from eligible organizations across the state for its life-changing oral health grants. To date, Delta Dental of South Carolina’s mission-giving initiatives have provided millions in support of oral health initiatives and educational programming. This funding has played a critical role in maintaining and expanding the efforts of organizations that align with its mission to improve oral health and help South Carolinians of all ages access vital dental treatment and educational services. Eligibility requirements and directions for applying for a grant can be found online at https://www.deltadentalsc.com/AboutUs/oral-health-grant-program.

One of the many organizations benefiting from Delta Dental of South Carolina’s initiatives is Healthy Smiles of Spartanburg Pediatric Oral Health Program, which has received six grants, totaling $243,800 from the company since 2017. Funding has allowed the program to expand services to include Spartanburg and Cherokee counties, enabling more than 22,000 children to gain access to oral health screenings annually in a school-based setting. Through this screening program, children from families with low incomes and without dental coverage, who are between the ages of four and 18, are identified to receive free care at Healthy Smiles’ dental clinic, which is held four times per month at Spartanburg Community College.

These free dental clinics have had an incredible impact on patients like Kensly, who received care in early June. Her mother, Tricia Peeler, commented on the experience, stating, “Healthy Smiles has been a life saver for us. My daughter needed extensive dental work and they made this possible. The people are amazing and go above and beyond for all their patients. I am so thankful for them giving my daughter a beautiful smile. We couldn’t have done it without them.”

Kathleen Cates, executive director of Healthy Smiles of Spartanburg, said, “Being able to provide such services to the many families in our community living in poverty, and who are uninsured, helps them to utilize what means they have to take care of other essential family expenses. It has allowed us to bring community awareness to the importance of oral health and what it means to their overall health. Thanks to Delta Dental, Healthy Smiles has been able to consistently provide services to our most vulnerable population—children.”

In 2022 alone, Delta Dental of South Carolina provided $519,296 in funding to 14 organizations across the state. By donating to a variety of organizations that align with its mission, Delta Dental of South Carolina has been able to help tens of thousands of children and adults get vital dental treatment and services to enhance their overall health and quality of life.

The company awards grants for general operations, programs, projects and capacity-building efforts promoting the oral health of individuals in South Carolina. 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 South Carolinians
• Helping to ensure that South Carolina is among the states with the highest indicators of oral health.

To be eligible for an oral health grant from Delta Dental of South Carolina, applicants in South Carolina must first complete a letter of inquiry through the online application system at https://www.deltadentalsc.com/AboutUs/oral-health-grant-program, which includes program guidelines and application instructions. Organizations that would like to be considered for the second grant cycle of 2023 must submit online letters of inquiry by August 25, 2023, and online applications are due on September 1, 2023. 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 South Carolina.

About Delta Dental of South Carolina

Delta Dental of South Carolina is a trade name of Delta Dental of Missouri, a dental benefits provider and a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization, which operates in South Carolina under that name. It provides more than 330,000 members in South Carolina 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. It also created the South Carolina Dental Care Resource Guide to help individuals access information about low-cost and free dental care options in their area—available online at www.DeltaDentalSC.com/ResourceGuide1. To learn more about the company, visit www.DeltaDentalSC.com.