The Delta Dental Institute has unveiled its 2024 Community Impact Report, which details the significant charitable contributions made by Delta Dental companies throughout the previous year. A focal point of the report is Delta Dental of Arizona’s impressive investment of .8 million, benefiting over 426,000 individuals across 15 counties in Arizona. This financial support underscores the organization’s ongoing commitment to enhancing both oral and overall health within communities statewide.
Michael Jones, the president and CEO of Delta Dental of Arizona, emphasized the organization’s dedication to fostering community health through a combination of affordable dental and vision benefits and strategic philanthropic initiatives. “Our mission is to create pathways to better health and wellness, particularly for underserved and uninsured populations throughout Arizona,” he stated. This commitment is reflected in the organization’s multi-faceted approach to health promotion.
The report highlights several key metrics showcasing the impact of Delta Dental of Arizona’s initiatives:
– Financial Contributions: The organization donated .8 million aimed at improving health and wellness.
– Community Engagement: Delta Dental’s efforts reached 135 Arizona nonprofits, illustrating a broad community footprint.
– Dental Care Supplies: Substantial donations included 160,885 toothbrushes, 150,888 tubes of toothpaste, and 140,914 floss pods to enhance oral hygiene.
– Volunteerism: Employees contributed over 1,100 hours of service, demonstrating a strong commitment to community involvement.
– Child Health Initiatives: The organization provided free dental screenings to 55,772 children, addressing critical preventive care needs.
– Nutritional Support: Delta Dental facilitated the distribution of 1.5 million meals to families across Arizona, highlighting a focus on both oral and general health.
Barb Kozuh, executive director of the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation, reiterated the significance of long-term initiatives aimed at improving health access and education. Notable collaborations include partnerships with Arizona PBS to promote oral health awareness among children, the establishment of the Delta Dental of Arizona Oral Health Clinic at St. Vincent de Paul, and important partnerships with Phoenix Children’s Hospital and the Banner Health Foundation’s HOPE program.
In addition, to further enhance access to dental care, Delta Dental of Arizona offers a free Dental Care Resource Guide. This resource serves as a comprehensive directory for low-cost dental clinics throughout Arizona, targeted specifically at uninsured and underinsured families.
On a national scale, Delta Dental companies invested more than 9 million in 2024 to support health initiatives across all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico, collectively impacting over 15 million lives. As the largest philanthropist in oral health in the United States, Delta Dental is dedicated to addressing healthcare disparities for vulnerable populations such as seniors, veterans, and those in rural communities while bolstering oral health education for youth.
The report highlights several significant initiatives, including:
– Enhancing Senior Oral Health: Programs aimed at training caregivers and providing on-site dental care in community centers and long-term care facilities.
– Rural Health Access: Offering over 1.2 million free or low-cost dental screenings via mobile clinics, alongside distribution of oral health kits.
– Veteran Support: Investments exceeding .9 million in initiatives targeted at improving oral and overall health for veterans, including free dental care programs.
– School-Based Health Education: An million investment in oral health education benefiting 7 million children, alongside a .5 million allocation for preventive care through school sealants.
– Future Workforce Development: More than million dedicated to supporting the next generation of oral health professionals, including scholarships and loan repayment initiatives.
Over the past 15 years, Delta Dental companies have collectively contributed in excess of .3 billion to enhance oral health nationally, underscoring a long-term commitment to improving public health across diverse populations. This report serves as a testament to their impactful community initiatives and the significant strides being made to bridge health care gaps in the United States.
