SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Delta Dental Community Care Foundation announced today that it donated more than $9.6 million last year – more than double from $3.76 million in 2016 – to improve oral health and access to dental care in 15 states and the District of Columbia, focusing on underserved areas where many families and individuals have trouble accessing affordable care.
The foundation is the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of California and its affiliated companies including Delta Dental Insurance Company, Delta Dental of New York, Inc., and Delta Dental of Pennsylvania.
In 2017, the foundation expanded its impact by pledging more than $5.2 million in grants to hundreds of nonprofit dental clinics. In addition, nearly $3.3 million in health, education and research fund grants went to support educational outreach programs designed to increase oral health care and awareness. Overall giving was concentrated largely in states where the affiliated companies are most active, including California ($3.2 million), Pennsylvania ($1.3 million), Texas ($975,000), Louisiana ($630,000) and Florida ($561,000).
“We are committed to improving the health and enhancing the lives of the people in our communities, especially those who are most in need,” said Tony Barth, president and CEO. “In order to do so, it’s critical for everyone to have access to high-quality and affordable dental care. We believe that our investment last year is helping to build healthier, happier communities.”
In addition, when natural disasters impacted some of its service areas last year, the foundation also helped support relief and recovery efforts with more than $1 million in donations, dental kits and other supplies benefiting communities in California, Texas, Florida, the Gulf Coast and Puerto Rico.
Since its inception, the foundation has given a total of nearly $24 million to assist community dental clinics, fund dental education and research, and support disaster relief and other community needs, with plans to continue increased giving.
“We have more work ahead of us in order to reach the remaining underserved areas that we couldn’t cover in 2017. This year, we’re making an ongoing pledge to give 10 percent of our net income to build upon our commitment to give back,” Barth said.
About the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation
The Delta Dental Community Care Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of California and its affiliated companies including Delta Dental Insurance Company, Delta Dental of New York, Inc., and Delta Dental of Pennsylvania. Together with our affiliate companies, Delta Dental of California covers more than 35.4 million enrollees. All of our companies are members, or affiliates of members, of the Delta Dental Plans Association, a network of 39 Delta Dental companies that provides dental coverage to 75 million people in the U.S. The foundation’s mission is to increase access to quality dental care by providing funding and support to advance research, education and access to dental care across our 15-state service area plus the District of Columbia.
