Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation Selects Cool Water Program™ Recipients

New program promotes water consumption throughout the school day

STEVENS POINT, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Students and staff at select Wisconsin schools will have a great new addition to their landscape for the 2019-2020 school year. The Delta Dental of Wisconsin Foundation is proud to announce that its inaugural Cool Water Program was approved for $85,000 for 20 schools from across the state to receive dual water bottle filling stations and fountains.

Elementary and middle schools applied for the grant that covers the installation cost of a new filling station, and provides toothbrushes and dishwasher-safe water bottles for all students and staff.

Drinking water, especially fluoridated water, helps reduce cavities and protects precious tooth enamel by washing away harmful bacteria. More than 50% of children and teens in the U.S. are not properly hydrated. Definite health benefits to staying hydrated include improved cognitive function, higher energy levels, and fewer headaches.¹ Children who drink water during the day are less likely to consume sugary beverages, and reducing sugar intake can decrease the occurrence of painful cavities and help reduce obesity.²

The selected schools include:

1. Al Behrman Elementary, Baraboo
2. Arcadia Elementary, Arcadia
3. Benjamin Franklin School, Milwaukee
4. Boscobel Elementary, Boscobel
5. Curtis Strange Elementary, Kenosha
6. Howe Elementary Community School, Green Bay
7. Howe Elementary, Wisconsin Rapids
8. Koenig, Two Rivers
9. La Causa Charter School, Milwaukee
10. Madison Elementary, West Allis
11. Morse Middle School for the Gifted and Talented, Milwaukee
12. Notre Dame School of Milwaukee
13. Oconto Elementary, Oconto
14. Our Lady of Grace Academy, Racine
15. Peace Lutheran School, Antigo
16. Point of Discovery School, Stevens Point
17. Ralph H. Metcalfe School, Milwaukee
18. Spence Elementary, La Crosse
19. St. Patrick School, Sparta
20. Wilson Elementary, West Allis

Selection for the awardees was based on the schools having fluoridated water, the high percentage of students with free-and-reduced meal rate, and the sustainability and creativity of their implementation plans to encourage children to drink more water.

This fall, installation will be complete in each of the schools and students will be able to easily access filtered water during the school day. For more information on the Cool Water Program or the Foundation, visit deltadentalwi.com/foundation.

¹ NHNES, 2009-2012; Kenney, Long, Cradock, & Gortmaker, 2015
² NHNES, 2011-2016; Rosinger, Bethancourt, & Francis, 2019

About Delta Dental of Wisconsin
For more than 50 years, Delta Dental has been working to maintain healthy communities and healthy teeth. We provide dental benefits and services to more Wisconsin companies, subscribers, and their family members than any other insurance carrier. Our mission is to improve oral health and wellness by extending access to care, advancing science, and supporting an effective oral-health workforce. Through Delta Dental of Wisconsin’s Foundation, we are committed to advancing solutions for Wisconsin’s oral health.