Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation awarded more than $7 million to 38 organizations in Colorado to improve oral health equity.
The foundation's goal is to support place-based access to quality oral healthcare in east metro Denver and the San Luis Valley, oral health prevention in early childhood, and increased diversity in the oral healthcare workforce, according to a Jan. 20 press release.
The organization also gave $2.7 million in low-interest capital loans to Tepeyac Community Health Center (Denver), Project Worthmore (Aurora) and Kids First Health Care (Commerce City), which serve underserved communities. The loans are meant to aid renovation and help build out dental clinics.
"We believe every person deserves a healthy mouth regardless of life circumstances," Adeeb Khan, executive director of the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation, said. "Each of these organizations will support increased access to oral health care, which demonstrates that together we can address community needs, implement activities to improve oral health, focus on preventive health care, and influence long-term change."