Oral Health Foundation Awards 4 M Dollars In Grants

Main Category: Dentistry
Article Date: 18 Feb 2009 - 5:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   opinions  

The Oral Health Foundation, funded by Delta Dental of Massachusetts, recently awarded $4 million in grants to Massachusetts organizations working to improve oral health throughout the state.

This is the ninth year that the Oral Health Foundation is investing in affordable, and preventive oral health services for children, elderly, and families in Massachusetts. To date, the Foundation has distributed over $17 million in grants. Recognizing the critical role local groups play in addressing the needs of their populations, the Oral Health Foundation focused its 2008 grant program on community solutions and prevention programs.

Funded programs include the expansion of dental clinics and/or services, equipment upgrades, school-based programs and training for medical students on conducting oral health risk assessments.

"Thousands of Massachusetts residents need access to the routine, preventive services that will treat and prevent oral disease," said Ralph Fuccillo, President of the Oral Health Foundation. "Each year, an astounding 51 million school hours and 164 million work hours are lost in the U.S. because of oral disease. Community-based programs ensure that Massachusetts residents have access to the care they need to protect their health."

About the Oral Health Foundation

The Oral Health Foundation was established in 2000 by Delta Dental of Massachusetts. In 2008, the Foundation's grant making emphasized community solutions and statewide prevention programs that improve oral health for state residents. The Foundation also worked to promote the importance of oral health through collaborative, community-wide programs such as the Watch Your Mouth Campaign. During 2008, the Oral Health Foundation took a leadership role in organizing the Better Oral Health for Massachusetts Coalition, a widespread effort by stakeholders in all regions of the Commonwealth to develop a state oral health plan for Massachusetts that has the goal of improved oral health for all people in the state.

Oral Health Foundation

• Additional
• References
• Citations