Although our non-profit company’s sole focus is dental benefits, Delta Dental of Oklahoma (DDOK) is much more than just an insurance company. At least 10 percent of our annual contributions to reserves go toward charitable initiatives. Established to further dental education, advance dentistry, and deliver care to those in need in communities throughout Oklahoma, the Delta Dental of Oklahoma Charitable Foundation has added these latest projects to its long list of charitable initiatives:

New Free Dental Clinic Established:
The Foundation announced a $20,000 donation will help establish a new free clinic in Oklahoma City, in conjunction with Crossings Community Church. Set to open in late September 2007, the Crossings Community Clinic will be a “by appointment” facility for those in need - but unable to pay for their dental care. Dr. Teresa Davis will serve as the volunteer dental director for the clinic. The clinic will have three operatories with the ability to conduct basic and restorative services. The Foundation’s gift will provide vital dental supplies.

“The Delta Dental Foundation gift was vital to equip the clinic with the supplies and materials we simply weren’t able to garner through donations,” said Pam Millington, Pastor of Missions and Outreach Ministries. “Delta Dental shows tremendous support of dentists and hygienists and a strong interest in the community. In all my years in nursing and healthcare, I’ve never come across an organization like Delta Dental, where customer, constituent, and community care are such a priority.”

The clinic will rely on volunteer dentists and hygienist’s to deliver care. Those interested are invited to contact Pam Millington at (405) 749-0800.

$20,000 Indigent Care Fund Established at OU College of Dentistry:
The Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation has established an indigent care fund at the OU College of Dentistry to provide care to those in need, while aligning dental students in need of specific training with patients with related treatment needs.

“This gift from Delta Dental of Oklahoma really creates a win-win for our dental students and those in desperate need of care,” said Dr. Steven Young, Dean of the OU College of Dentistry. “This fund will allow our students to garner specific training, but also to complete their treatment regimens which are often interrupted by a patients’ inability to continue care due to financial hardships. It will also allow us to provide emergency care when necessary. We’re very grateful to the Delta Dental Foundation for their continuing support.”

Foundation Giving Tops $470,000 for 2007
The Foundation reported today that a total of $471,092.00 is earmarked for statewide initiatives, early childhood oral health education, and OU College of Dentistry programs in 2007.

“Delta Dental’s mission is not fulfilled by just providing dental plans to employers in Oklahoma,” says John Gladden, President & CEO. “As a good corporate citizen, our Foundation promotes two initiatives that are fundamental to our purpose – dental health and education. Dental education is addressed through our Captain Supertooth program, the PANDA program and various supporting roles with the OU-COD. The dental health aspect is addressed through supporting, clinics, but more importantly, dentists and auxiliary personnel donating their time and skills in their offices and these free or low-cost clinics all across the state. If a dentist is willing to donate their time and talents, we certainly want to pay for any “hard” costs they incur. However, all the money in the world is useless unless those dentists volunteer their time and deliver the care that so many of those less fortunate require. We are very proud to play a supporting role in their important work.”

Other Delta Dental of Oklahoma Charitable Foundation initiatives include:
1. OU-COD Scholarship Fund
2. OU-COD Distance Learning Center, Phase 2 (suite upgrade)
3. D-DENT (OKC)
4. EODDS (Tulsa)
5. Captain Supertooth Program & toothbrushes (Statewide)
6. Good Shepherd Clinic (OKC)
7. Neighbor for Neighbor (Tulsa)
8. Health for Friends (Norman)
9. City Rescue Mission (OKC)
10. Tri County Tech Center Free Clinic (Bartlesville)
11. Alliance with ODA, (Give Kids a Smile Day)
12. Special Olympics (Special Smiles Program)
13. DDOK Help Line (for free and low cost dental treatment)
14. Good Shepherd Dental Services (Muskogee)
15. ODF - Mobile Dental Unit
16. Neighbor for Neighbor Restorative Program
17. Bristow Clinic
18. The Delta Dental Fund (D-Dent)
19. OU-COD Indigent Care Fund
20. OU-COD Post Hygiene Training Wave Study
21. Crossings Community Clinic

DDOK to Fund Portion of OUCOD Distance Learning Research Study
In early 2000, the state of Oklahoma graduated less than 60 dental hygienists from three dental hygiene programs in the state – less than 80% of what Oklahoma Employment and Securities Commission data showed was needed per year. In addition, most graduates were concentrated in larger metropolitan areas, often leaving rural communities with the difficult task of employing qualified dental hygienists.

The OU College of Dentistry approached the Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation to provide funding in 2002 for the establishment and development of a Dental Hygiene Distance Learning Program. The goal of the program was to educate dental hygienists in the outlying areas of Oklahoma via tele-courses and encourage them to then practice in their rural settings upon graduation. The Foundation responded with donations totaling more than $417,000 (to date) which have established the distance learning lab at OU COD and distance learning sites in key quadrants of the state.

To gauge the effectiveness of the program, the Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation is providing $7,500 towards an outcomes assessment study to determine if the program is having the desired results of helping students garner employment and encouraging them to remain in, and serve, their rural communities.

Apply For Foundation Funding

If your oral health-related organization would like to be considered for funding, please complete the form below. Please allow 3-4 weeks for processing.

Charitable Foundation Application

Other Recent Initiatives:

The Foundation recently added new organizations and services to a long list of charitable initiatives designed to improve the oral health of Oklahomans.

Delta Dental of Oklahoma Charitable Foundation Major Sponsor of Oklahoma Dental Foundation (ODF) Mobile Dental Program

Thousands of Oklahoma's children have untreated dental needs and have gone too long without access to adequate dental care. The Mobile Dental Care Program has been created to address this need. The ODF's mobile dental van is a fully equipped modern dental office on wheels, designed to provide care throughout the State of Oklahoma.

The mission of the ODF Mobile Dental Care Program is to provide quality dental care to the uninsured, underinsured, medicaid, gap and indigent populations within the state of Oklahoma ensuring that the Foundation's access to care initiative is met.

Objectives:

- Decrease the access to care deficiencies facing the state.
- Provide quality dental care to individuals who could not ordinarily afford treatment or don't have the means to seek treatment.
- Develop an ODF Mobile Dental Care Program to be self sustaining within two to three years.
- Enhance a statewide spirit of volunteerism and giving among dental professionals, corporate sponsors and partner organizations.
- Continually sustain and add market value to the program.

For further information about the program, or if you are interested in volunteering or donating instruments/supplies, please visit:

http://www.okdf.org/projects/mobileprogram.htm

Health for Friends Dental Clinic:

Hundreds of low-income and elderly persons throughout the Norman area are in dire need of comprehensive dental care. Yet, without non-profit organizations like Health for Friends, many of those needs would not be met. Thanks to a $15,000 donation from the Foundation, countless under-served low income and elderly residents will be smiling brighter this year.

City Rescue Mission Dental Clinic:

As a nonprofit organization serving homeless men, women, and children in Oklahoma City, City Rescue Mission is on the forefront of caring for the neediest individuals in its community. The City Rescue Mission dental clinic operates with a part-time staff and volunteer physicians. Dental care includes x-rays, exams, fillings, and extractions, with dentures made on-site for those who need them. To help them with their mission, the Foundation recently donated $20,000 to the dental clinic. NOTE: The organization needs dentists to volunteer their services. If you are a dentist interested in providing care to those less fortunate, please call City Rescue Mission at 405-232-2709.
Good Shepherd Dental Clinic of Muskogee: Delta Dental provides funding to help the St. Paul Church deliver free and low-cost dental care to those in need in the Muskogee area.


• DDOK recently implemented project S.O.S (Support Our Soldiers). Our staff produced 600 oral health kits for Oklahoma-based troops serving in Iraq. Kits included a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, oral picks, and a personalized note from the staff. DDOK employees also volunteer for several community-based programs including Habitat for Humanity.

Delta Dental is the oldest, largest, and leading provider of dental benefits, but we’re so much more than just another insurance company. No other carrier is as committed to the oral health and well being of Oklahomans. It’s at the very foundation of our mission.