Greensboro, NC (April 10, 2017) –The Guilford County Department of Public Health received a $4,000 Smiles for Kids grant from the Delta Dental Foundation (DDF) to advance the oral health of uninsured and underinsured children in Guilford County through their Project Access Dental (PAD) Program. This grant will assist the program in securing treatment for children who, through in-school dental screenings, have been identified with urgent dental care needs and an inability to pay.

According to the 2016 Guilford County Community Health Assessment, three areas in Guilford County are designated by the Health Resources and Services Administration as Dental Health Professionals Shortage Areas (HPSA’s). In addition, 31% of respondents who had difficulty accessing health care reported having the most trouble receiving dental care.

“The grant from the Delta Dental Foudation is a great help in getting the students in our PAD program the care they need,” said Debbie Kennedy, Guilford County Department of Public Health’s School Health Dental Hygienist. “Once the student goes to the dentist through our program and is no longer in pain, the parents begin to see the dentist as a partner in keeping their child’s teeth healthy, which contributes to keeping the rest of their body healthy.”

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 Guilford County Department of Public Health is one of 21 grants totaling $45,000 awarded in 2016 to North Carolina oral health organizations and programs. This is the third year that the Guilford County Department of Public Health has been awarded a Smiles for Kids grant. 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. “Supporting the work of the Guilford County Department of Public Health can help ensure that more children receive the care they need and are educated about the importance of good oral health to grow up healthy and be successful in school and in life.”

About the Guilford County Department of Public Health

The Department’s dental clinic provides services such as exams, limited emergency visits, cleanings and sealants. They see children up to age 21 with Medicaid or NC Health Choice; children who have applied for Medicaid or NC Health Choice, but were declined, whose parents can pay a reduced fee at time of service; and pregnant women with a pink Medicaid card. For more information, visit: www.myguilford.com.

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.

###