Delta Dental of N.J. Foundation awarding $761K in grants to support oral and overall health

The Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation is awarding more than $750,000 in grants in 2022 to support the oral and overall health of communities in New Jersey.

The grants, which total $761,000, will provide positive support for more than 14,000 residents in the state.

The contributions will help provide dental care and education to thousands of uninsured and underinsured seniors, developmentally disabled adults and children, disadvantaged children and veterans. The donations also will help fund scholarships for dental hygienists at a variety of county colleges around the state, as well as help dental assisting students in high school and a local county college.

Dennis Wilson, CEO of Delta Dental of New Jersey and vice president of the Delta Dental foundation, said the grants match the vision and mission of the company.

“Our mission at the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation is to improve the oral health of New Jersey and Connecticut residents by funding projects that address the oral health care challenges our neighbors and communities face,” he said. “We are proud to be a leader in oral health care giving across New Jersey, and we look forward to continuing our collaborations with our foundation grantees and partners on the path toward better health for all.”

A look at some of the awards:

  • KinderSmile Foundation: It was granted $100,000 for dental supplies, direct patient care and other dental program expenses for children and those with developmental disabilities in Bloomfield, Trenton and Newark via the Boys & Girls Club of Newark.
  • The Foundation for Morristown Medical Center: It received $100,000 for dental supplies, restorative materials and lab fees for underinsured and uninsured seniors, children and those with developmental disabilities.
  • Zufall Health Center: It will receive $65,000 to cover lab fees and patient care for veterans as part of the organization’s Smiles for Our Heroes program serving 300 veterans across Morris County. The organization also will receive $55,000 to support the establishment of a dental assistant training program in north, west and central New Jersey that will educate up to 50 dental assistants, who will provide services to children and seniors.
  • Jersey Shore University Medical Center Foundation: It will receive $50,000 to support patient care, a dental hygienist, supplies and lab costs for preventive and comprehensive dental care for uninsured seniors in Monmouth and Ocean counties.
  • The Matheny Medical and Educational Center: It has been granted $50,000 for specialized dental equipment to provide care to developmentally disabled children and adults, as well as support personal protective equipment costs and a direct support professional/transporter who ensures each patient’s comfort during dental treatment.

The additional $341,000 supports seniors, veterans, children and the disabled throughout the state and locally in Middlesex, Union, Bergen, Passaic, Camden, Burlington, Mercer, Essex, and Cape May counties.

The Delta Dental foundation is the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of New Jersey.