Senior Oral Health Partnership Program

Geographic Scope: 15-state and Washington, D.C. enterprise; specifically expanded to Mississippi Delta region (as of May 2025)

Focus Areas:

• Address the oral health crisis among older adults in the U.S.
• Identify and address systemic causes of poor oral health among seniors
• Serve older adults living in poverty
• Support people of color with oral health needs
• Assist seniors with mobility issues preventing access to dental care

Problem Statement:

• A quarter of seniors living in poverty have lost all their natural teeth
• 2021 National Institutes of Health Oral Health in America report identified senior oral health as a public health crisis
• Older adults struggle with oral health problems and lack support for proper dental care

Program Details:

• Multi-year funding program launched in 2022
• Funds community-based partnerships
• Recently expanded with $5 million additional commitment over five years to Mississippi Delta region (May 2025)
• Focuses on systemic solutions to improve oral health outcomes for seniors

Background:
In 2022, the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation broadened its philanthropic focus by launching this multi-year program to address the oral health crisis among older adults, especially those living in poverty, people of color, and those with mobility limitations. Since 2012, the Foundation has granted more than $170 million.

Application Process

Partnership-Based Program:
This is a community-based partnership program. Organizations interested in partnering with the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation on senior oral health initiatives should reach out to foundation@delta.org.

Invitation-Only Program:
Grant support is by invitation only. If your organization is a good fit for partnership, contact foundation@delta.org to discuss funding opportunities.