Delta Dental of Oklahoma Grants

The Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation aims to enhance the oral health of Oklahomans by providing grants for dental care access, education, and research. Funding is focused on nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies that develop programs for underserved populations. The Foundation prioritizes projects that are free or low-cost, support volunteer dental professionals, and demonstrate significant community impact. Notably, grants cannot be used to compensate dental professionals or fund new clinic operatories unless under exceptional circumstances.

The mission of the Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation is to improve the oral health of all Oklahomans by funding and facilitating dental related programs. Based on that mission, we award grants to organizations in four areas: benevolent dentistry/access to dental care, oral health education for the public, education for dental professionals, and oral health related research.
Intention of Funds
All funds provided by the Delta Dental of Oklahoma Foundation grant program are intended to serve the public interest and fulfill the Foundation’s mission to improve the oral health of all Oklahomans by funding and facilitating dental health and education programs. All funds must be used in accordance with the purposes specified on the grantee’s grant application and in accordance with IRS Code 501(c)(3).

Eligibility

Funding CriteriaDental Health and Education Related Programs Funded:Benevolent Dentistry/Access to Care – Clinics, programs, projects, and events that provide dental care and education to those unable to access the care they need due to financial, physical, or geographical barriers.Public Education – Programs that educate children and adults in dental self-care to improve oral health and establish life-long habits.Professional Education – Programs and scholarships that prepare the next generation of dental professionals, address dental professional shortage areas, and advance dentistry.Support Programs – Initiatives that advance or support our core objectives. Eligibility Requirements:Grant-seeking organization must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with public charity status, an educational institution or a government agency. We cannot award grants to individuals.We fund only dental health and education related projects, programs, and initiatives.Program/project must serve Oklahomans.Program/project must not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin or religion. Additional Criteria Considered:Type of Program – Free or low-cost to patients (priority given to free programs)Dentist Type – Volunteer, paid, or both (priority given to volunteer programs)Beneficiaries – Children, elderly, disabled, other low-income adultsGeographic areaImpact – May be based on number served, significance of population served, educational impact, etc.Operational efficiency - Cost of program compared to value of treatment delivered Total cost per patientLongevity and sustainability of programPatient Qualification – Helping to ensure program serves intended population.

Ineligibility

In fairness to the many volunteer dental professionals, as a general rule our grant funds should not be used to compensate dental professionals for their time or services. Exceptions may be made under certain circumstances but must be expressly reviewed and permitted by Foundation Board decision. See Examples of possible exceptions and their limitations hereDue to the tendency of free clinic operatories to be used only a few hours each month, the Foundation places a low priority on the funding of new operatories and would only consider funding a new operatory under extraordinary circumstances.Occasionally, grant funds will be awarded for equipment purchases for existing clinics. The grantee organization must exhibit due diligence in the purchase of the equipment by securing two competitive bids for single items valued in excess of $5,000 and including those bids with the grant application. The Foundation does not provide funding for the building, expansion, or operation of dental clinics administered by Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). The Foundation will consider the following requests from FQHCs:“Charitable Care Funds” which cover or subsidize treatment for qualifying patientsFunds to cover supplies required to provide free dental care and/or oral health educational outreach programs for underserved, vulnerable, or indigent populations.