Senior Oral Health Partnership Program

Mission: Address the oral health crisis among older adults in the United States, particularly in underserved communities.

Geographic Scope

• 15-state enterprise and Washington, D.C.
• Recent expansion: Mississippi Delta region
• States include: AL, CA, DE, DC, FL, GA, LA, MD, MS, MT, NV, NY, PA, TX, UT, WV

Funding Purpose

Program Focus:

• Target Population: Older adults struggling with oral health problems, especially those living in poverty
• Focus Areas:
  • Address systemic causes of poor oral health among seniors
  • Support people of color experiencing oral health disparities
  • Assist seniors with mobility issues preventing access to dental care
  • Provide proper dental care support for vulnerable older adults

Problem Statement

• 25% of seniors living in poverty have lost all their natural teeth
• Older adults lack support and resources for proper dental care
• Recognized as a public health crisis per 2021 National Institutes of Health Oral Health in America report

Program Structure

• Multi-year program launched in 2022
• Community-based partnerships addressing senior oral health crisis
• Identified and expanding to high-need regions (e.g., Mississippi Delta)

Recent Expansion

• Announcement Date: May 21, 2025
• Expansion: Multi-year Senior Oral Health Partnership Program expanded to Mississippi Delta region
• Funding: Additional $5 million commitment over next five years

Background

• Launched by Delta Dental Community Care Foundation in 2022
• Response to recognized public health crisis in senior oral health
• Based on Delta Dental's experience as nation's leading oral health benefit provider
• Part of broader Community Care Foundation grantmaking focused on high-impact health outcomes

Application Process

Important Note: Grant support is by invitation only. Organizations do not typically submit unsolicited applications.

To Inquire About Eligibility:

• If your organization feels it is a good fit for the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation, reach out to foundation@delta.org
• Foundation staff will evaluate fit and determine if invitation-based partnership is appropriate

No standardized application details are publicly available. Organizations interested in partnering on senior oral health initiatives should contact the foundation directly to discuss:

• Your organization's work with older adults
• Communities and populations served (particularly focus on poverty, people of color, mobility-limited seniors)
• Programs addressing oral health for seniors
• Potential partnership opportunities with Delta Dental Community Care Foundation