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Mission Critical: Programs That Improve Oral Health in Vulnerable Communities

August 10, 2017 By Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation

Mission critical: programs that improve oral health in vulnerable communities

Giving back impacts the oral health of Colorado’s underserved populations the most. That’s because dental disease is a chronic problem among low-income and vulnerable populations.

Many advances have contributed to improved oral health in our underserved Colorado communities:

  • Community water fluoridation reduces the gap in decay rates of Americans. The CDC says it’s the most cost-effective method of prevention for people, regardless of age, education, or income level.
  • Sealants, thin plastic coatings on molars, can reduce childhood tooth decay by more than 70%. They are one-third the cost of a filling. Sealant programs in schools help reach kids from low-income families who are less likely to access dental care.
  • Colorado’s Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) provides affordable health coverage for families who earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but find it difficult to afford private health insurance.

Delta Dental of Colorado is a nonprofit company. Every day we work to achieve our mission to improve the oral health of the communities we serve. More than half of what we earn goes back to local Colorado communities. Over the past 15 years, this has amounted to $70 million. We do this through the company’s community benefit program and the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation.

We try to create health-positive changes in our public system by:

  • Improving access to care
  • Providing oral health education
  • Empowering communities

We do this so kids like Tyrone can reach their true potential. Strong overall health starts with a smile. We are always looking for ways to eradicate childhood tooth decay. Let us know how we can help support a program in your community. Email us at the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation.

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Filed Under: Colorado, Company News, Foundation

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