Delta Dental of Oklahoma’s Charitable Foundation presented a $100,000 check to Tulsa, Oklahoma-based Neighbor for Neighbor dental program at a press conference on Jan. 19, 2009. Pictured here are (L to R) John E. Gladden, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Oklahoma; Ann Nicholson Smith, executive director, Neighbor for Neighbor; Diana Diaz, associate director and director of operations, Neighbor For Neighbor; and Renae Yarborough, Neighbor For Neighbor clinic volunteer.

Delta Dental of Oklahoma Charitable Foundation Triples 2009 Statewide Funding to Nearly $1.5 Million

Significant Increase in Oral Health Funding Gives Oklahomans Something to Smile About During Tough Economic Times

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – Jan. 16, 2009 – At a time when most foundations are cutting grants, the Delta Dental of Oklahoma Charitable Foundation announced it is tripling its statewide funding in 2009 to nearly $1.5 million. With this increase in funds, more Oklahomans will benefit from the oral health services and education efforts that Delta Dental supports.

As the state's single largest contributor to dental health and education-related projects and initiatives, Delta Dental of Oklahoma decided it was an important time to increase its commitment to promoting statewide oral health. After awarding nearly $500,000 in 2008, the Foundation tripled funding for 2009 to nearly $1.5 million. This amount refers to the money that the Foundation will actually spend this year, which includes grants and outreach programs. The increase in funding gives the Foundation the opportunity to offer more grants to students, non-profit organizations and dentists who volunteer their time to provide free and reduced-cost dental care to needy Oklahomans. The Foundation announced it is awarding 20 initial recipients from across the state more than $900,000 in grants. The recipients are chosen through a board-reviewed application process; the balance of the 2009 funds will be awarded throughout the year.

"There's so much need for more dental care and education within our state, and we are in a unique position to dramatically improve those things," said John E. Gladden, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Oklahoma. "Where the need is great, the giving must be greater. Our hope is that this increased funding will help provide more support to the organizations and dental professionals who volunteer their time to make dental care and education more available to all Oklahomans in need – we believe it’s our responsibility to do so."

Some of the initial 2009 recipients are:

• University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry
  
   • 10 scholarships: $50,000
   • Indigent Care Fund: $100,000
   • Capital Improvements: $150,000

• Tri-County Tech Center Free Clinic in Bartlesville: $5,000
• Southern Oklahoma Technology Center in Ardmore: $5,000
• Bristow Free Clinic in Bristow: $10,000
• Good Shepherd Clinic in Oklahoma City: $15,000
• Henderson Hills Free Clinic in Edmond: $40,000
• Neighbor for Neighbor Program in Tulsa: $100,000
• Crossings Community Clinic in Oklahoma City: $50,000
• Neighborhood Services Organization in Oklahoma City: $51,500
• Good Shepherd clinic in Ardmore: $25,000
• City Rescue Mission care fund in Oklahoma City: $20,000
• Oklahoma Dental Foundation statewide mobile dental unit: $50,000
• D-Dent statewide locations: $40,000
• Delta Dental Fund administered by D-Dent: $110,000
• Eastern Oklahoma Donated Dental Services in Tulsa: $30,000
• Alliance to the Oklahoma Dental Association Give Kids a Smile Day: $2,000
• Oklahoma Special Olympics Special Smile program: $1,500
• Delta Dental of Oklahoma’s Captain Supertooth statewide education program: $46,000

About Delta Dental of Oklahoma
Headquartered in Oklahoma City, Delta Dental of Oklahoma is the oldest, largest and leading provider of dental benefits in the state. A not-for-profit corporation, Delta Dental services more than 650,000 eligible members and nearly 3,000 clients and customers – from individuals and small businesses to Fortune 500 corporations located throughout Oklahoma and nationwide. Through its charitable foundation, Delta Dental of Oklahoma has contributed nearly $2 million to help provide greater access to oral healthcare and education to all citizens of Oklahoma.

For More Information
Thomas J. Searls | Director of Corporate Communications | 405-607-2100 ext. 178 – or – 800-522-0188 ext. 178

PDF (68k)         E-mail         Print