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Smiles make a difference

2021 Community Impact Report

Supporting those who need it most - more than $310,000 granted to CT programs supporting families, children, students, seniors, veterans, and those with developmental disabilities.
Making dental care accessible - 14,780+ people in CT received free dental care and oral health education
For seniors - funding Senior Smiles providing free dental services to 80 senior citizens in Bridgeport
For children - $50,000 to expand dental homes for Head Start children in New Haven
For veterans - Up to 110 veterans who were ineligible for other financial support received no cost dental care
For the uninsured - Foundation funding enabled 1,700+ people to receive dental care that they could not otherwise afford
       For those with disabilities - provided adaptive equipment for treating up to 350 people with developmental and intellectual disabilities  
Expanding oral health instruction - 5,000+ students, families, educations and dentists benefited from educational programs 

 

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More about our community impact:

1 The Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation has awarded more than $21 million in grants since 1986 in New Jersey and Connecticut. We awarded SMILE grants to six major dental care programs in Connecticut in 2021:
2 In addition to the SMILE grants, the Foundation also awards mini-grants. Soft Bones is using its mini-grant to educate patients and dentists about hypophosphatasia. HPP is a rare metabolic disease that affects the development of bones and teeth.

3 The University of Bridgeport’s Senior Smiles program provides free basic dental care for seniors age 65 and older. Many senior citizens lack regular access to dental care. Programs like Senior Smiles ensure people can continue looking after their oral health in retirement.

4 Yale New Haven Hospital is making a dental home for 350 children in Head Start programs. All aspects of their oral health care will be delivered at the dental home. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry says that dental homes are critical for helping “children and their families institute a lifetime of good oral health.” Foundation funding is providing portable dental supplies and equipment.

5 The University of Connecticut Foundation’s Open Wide for Veterans Day program provided free dental care for veterans, kicking off their program in November 2021. Many veterans cannot afford regular dental care, which can impact both their oral and overall health. The Foundation supports programs like UCONN’s, which help support those who served our country.

6 Foundation funding enabled more than 1,700 people in Connecticut to receive free dental care. Care was delivered through organizations such as the Hall Neighborhood House’s newly established dental clinic in Bridgeport, the Dental Lifeline Network throughout the state, and the Connecticut Mission of Mercy Free Dental Clinic. All provide care to underserved populations.

7 Treating those with developmental and intellectual disabilities often requires special training and equipment. A Foundation grant helped provide supportive dental equipment and supplies to Norwalk Hospital’s Accessible Smiles program. Wheeler Clinic in Hartford is using its SMILE grant to train dental professionals on treating those with intellectual disabilities, including autism

8 Catch My Breath – CT, one Foundation-supported program, is educating more than 5,000 students and 20 educators about the oral and overall health consequences of vaping.