DELTA DENTAL GRANTS MAKE ORAL HEALTH CARE MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR MISSOURIANS

DELTA DENTAL GRANTS MAKE ORAL HEALTH CARE MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR MISSOURIANS

Nearly $550,000 in Funding Supports Mobile Services, Specialized Care and Community-based Programs Statewide

ST. LOUIS, Mo. (October 13, 2026) … Children in underserved communities, people with disabilities, rural residents and families facing barriers to dental care will benefit from nearly $550,000 in grants awarded by Delta Dental of Missouri to 22 community organizations statewide. The grants support locally driven programs that prevent oral disease, bring dental care closer to patients and remove financial, geographic and accessibility challenges.

The latest grant awards build on Delta Dental of Missouri's long-standing commitment to improving oral health in Missouri. A few examples of the programs supported include:

• Dental Lifeline Network Missouri received $20,000 to recruit volunteer dental professionals for its statewide Donated Dental Services program.
• Vivent Health in St. Louis received $38,000 to expand oral health care access for people living with HIV.
• Jordan Valley Health in Springfield received $25,000 to enhance dental services for patients with neurodevelopmental disabilities.
• Arthur Center Community Health in Mexico received $40,000 for its Miles of Smiles Mobile Dental Initiative.
• TeamSmile in Kansas City received $12,500 to deliver free dental care and oral health education to children through its Kansas City Chiefs program.

Collectively, the funded programs support mobile and community-based dental services, preventive care, charitable care and efforts to strengthen Missouri's oral health safety net.

"Too many Missourians face financial, geographic and accessibility barriers to dental care," said Stacy Harris, executive director of community impact at Delta Dental of Missouri. "We are proud to partner with organizations that understand the unique needs of their communities and are creating practical solutions to connect people to care. Together, we can improve oral health and build healthier communities across Missouri."

Delta Dental of Missouri awards grants annually to support general operations, programs, projects and capacity-building efforts promoting the oral health of individuals in Missouri. To learn more, visit the Delta Dental of Missouri Oral Health Grant Program.

About Delta Dental of Missouri

Delta Dental of Missouri is a nonprofit dental and vision benefits provider serving 2.1 million members statewide. Through affordable group and individual plans, the company is committed to improving oral and overall health while delivering simpler, better experiences for members, providers, brokers and employer groups. As part of its nonprofit mission, Delta Dental invests in oral health initiatives, educational programs and charitable causes that expand access to care and strengthen the communities it serves. Learn more at DeltaDentalMO.com.

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