Matthews, NC (Feb. 7, 2017) – The Junior League of Charlotte received a $2,000 Smiles for Kids grant from the Delta Dental Foundation (DDF) to provide underserved children with necessary dental care through Give Kids a Smile (GKAS) Mecklenburg County. Each year, GKAS hosts an annual Give Kids a Smile Day event, and this year, the assistance was expanded to provide transportation and continued dental services for children who require oral health care beyond what can be administered in a single day.

The event was a successful collaboration of several Charlotte-area community organizations providing a day of free dental care for children with oral health problems. Participating organizations included the Junior League of Charlotte, Communities in Schools of Charlotte-Mecklenburg, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools and the Charlotte Dental Society. This year, 70 children in Mecklenburg County received dental care on Give Kids a Smile Day.

“We greatly appreciate the Delta Dental Foundation’s continued support of our community endeavors year after year,” said pediatric dentist Dr. Meg Lochary. “Support from the community and programs like Smiles for Kids are what makes this event possible.”

The Delta Dental Foundation focuses on ensuring children and adults in North Carolina receive premiere oral health education and high-quality dental care. The grant received by the Junior League of Charlotte, its fourth from DDF, is one of 21 grants totaling $45,000 awarded in 2016 to North Carolina oral health organizations and programs. Grant recipients were selected based on criteria that included the number of at-risk children served, the uniqueness of the program, the level of community involvement and the ability to measure results.

“The Delta Dental Foundation is committed to promoting good oral health habits and providing better access to quality dental care for those who are underserved in our state,” said Curt Ladig, president and CEO of Delta Dental of North Carolina. “By providing support to the Junior League of Charlotte for the important work that it does, we can help improve a child’s smile and quality of life.”

About Junior League of Charlotte

The Junior League of Charlotte, Inc. (JLC) is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving the community. Through its actions and the leadership of trained volunteers, the JLC has been a leading force in improving the lives of children and families. Projects supported by the JLC include: The Junior League of Charlotte’s Cornerstone Project at Reid Park Academy, Alexander Youth Network, Give Kids a Smile, Big Shots Saturdays, JLC Healing Arts for Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital, Second Harvest Food Bank and more. For additional information, visit http://www.jlcharlotte.org.

About the Delta Dental Foundation

The Delta Dental Foundation is a nonprofit, charitable organization established in 1980, which serves as the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and North Carolina. The foundation’s goals are to support education and research for the advancement of dental science, and to promote the oral health of the public through education and service activities, particularly for those with special needs. For more information, visit http://www.deltadentalnc.com.

About Delta Dental of North Carolina

Delta Dental of North Carolina is a nonprofit dental service corporation created in 1970 to provide dental benefits throughout the state. Its mission is to improve the oral health of the communities it serves. It does so by providing affordable access to oral health care with the largest network of providers, including two out of every three dentists, in North Carolina.

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