As people in Colorado observe the leaves slowly changing from a lush green to the deep reds, oranges and yellows of fall, Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation is endeavoring to affect change as well. No, not change in the color of leaves; but a change in the perception of oral health.
Since the launch of the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation in 1997, the Foundation has worked tirelessly to bring oral health to the forefront of Colorado’s radar. With the appointment of Colleen Lampron as the Senior Program Officer in 2011, the Foundation has expanded and is financially supporting many of the major oral health campaigns in Colorado. Below is a short summary of the many changes the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation has helped influence:
– The local medical & dental schools have changed their curriculum to include topics such as the oral-overall health connection as well as the importance of good oral health.
– The University of Colorado’s PA, PT, nursing and pharmacy school students have received training on oral health disease prevention.
– More than 1,000 medical and dental providers have been trained in oral exams, fluoride varnish, goal setting and parental education for young children.
– Over 40,000 young children, infants and pregnant women have received Cavity Free at Three (with a link to our CF3 blog) services.
– 3,145 children & adults received $2 million worth of dental care through Smile-a-bration and Invest programs.
Since the day Governor Hickenlooper designated Oral Health as a “Winnable Battle in Public Health”, Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation has committed to confronting this silent epidemic head on. Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation will continue to work to reach its mission of “The eradication of cavities in Colorado’s children by 2020.”
Stay tuned for more information about the continuing efforts of the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation.