La Delta Dental Foundation of North Carolina The Delta Dental Foundation of North Carolina announced on Thursday, October 22, a $1 million investment to improve access to children's oral health and strengthen the workforce that serves the dental needs of North Carolina.
“The foundation’s mission is to improve the lives of underserved populations by positively impacting access to oral health care and overall well-being,” said Curtis Ladig, president of the Delta Dental Foundation of North Carolina, during a press conference at the Poe Center for Health Education in Raleigh.
Ladig added that authorities have designated 93 of North Carolina's 100 counties as areas with a shortage of dental professionals. In response to this need, the foundation seeks to expand access to dental care and strengthen the sector's workforce through its new investment.
“At Delta Dental, this motivates us to take the steps we are announcing today, in order to make a difference across the state,” Ladig added.
Since 2011, the foundation has awarded more than $2.2 million in grants to over 130 nonprofit organizations in North Carolina. These grants have benefited 83 counties and enabled more than 650,000 adults, children, and their families—many of whom are uninsured—to access essential oral health services.
The $1 million investment focuses on three interconnected priorities to improve access to oral health care:
- Education.
- Workforce development.
- Support for direct patient care.
Regarding support for direct patient care
Through grant funding The foundation supports 128 nonprofit organizations that promote good oral health. Among the beneficiaries of the recent inaugural investment is Hope Community Clinic. Project 658in Charlotte.
Project 658 is a nonprofit organization that serves immigrant and refugee families. Its dental clinic, which opened in August, provides oral health services to immigrants and refugees, including those without health insurance or who face other barriers to accessing dental care.
“We are extremely grateful for Delta Dental’s donation. We are thrilled about the launch of their foundation; this simply means that more people will be able to receive care,” Jessica Klosinski, part of Project 658, told Enlace Latino NC.
Klosinski explained that the organization has been operating for about ten years, serving 1,300 patients through its medical and behavioral health programs.
“We have a comprehensive health model; therefore, incorporating dental services, especially through this collaboration with the Workman School of Dental Medicine at High Point University, has been a natural and organic step,” Klosinski explained.
Among his patients, 95% are Latin American. Klosinski acknowledged the enormous need for this population to have access to dental services. For this reason, the opening of his dental clinic has been essential.
“We know this is a vulnerable population that often lacks access to healthcare, which is unacceptable. That’s why we’re here: not only to provide them with care, but to support our immigrant and refugee families on their journey to health and well-being,” Klosinski said.
“It’s truly incredible to be able to offer these services and comprehensive care, supporting this community that enriches our city in so many ways. They shouldn’t be left out; we must integrate them, because they are the heart of our city,” he added.
The impact on education and workforce development
Through funding, the foundation also supports the state's future dentists and dental hygienists, as well as the academic programs at their training centers.
Among the beneficiaries of the recent inaugural investment is: Wake Technical Community College.
“Thanks to these funds, received through the donation from Delta Dental, we will be able to support our community and our students by facilitating access to healthcare. This will allow us to train more students and prepare them for entering the workforce,” said Constance Bess, Associate Dean of Health Sciences at Wake Technical Community College. Enlace Latino NC.
According to Bess, the alliance with the Delta Dental Foundation will allow them to expand access to healthcare for patients in their community and surrounding areas.
“It will also help us prepare the next generation of professionals and facilitate the job placement of more trained students. […] More specifically, the donated funds will go directly toward expanding the facilities and simulation systems of our dental clinics. This will allow us to take on students who are currently on the waiting list, integrate them into our classrooms, and prepare them so that, once trained, they can offer their services to the community,” Bess explained.
Bess says they also offer bilingual classes for their community collaborators: "In other words, people can come to our facilities to receive training on dental health topics."
Wake Technical Community College also has two dental hygiene clinics, where freshmen and sophomores serve people from across the community. They provide preventive oral health services, including oral cancer screenings, X-rays and imaging studies, as well as preventive cleanings and sealant application.
The clinics also offer bilingual care on a permanent basis.
On the other hand, Wake Technical Community College also carries out community outreach work: they collaborate with the Wake County public school system and support various programs, such as "Summer Wisher".
“We do extensive work in the community. And when we identify specific needs, in both children and adults, that go beyond the services we can offer, we refer people to our community partners so they can access the care they require,” Bess said.
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