Over $70K in oral health grants issued to area organizations

St. Louis-based Delta Dental of Missouri has issued more than $70,000 in grants to local organizations as part of over $565,000 in oral health funding awarded statewide.

Delta Dental of Missouri, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit that serves as a dental benefits provider and oral health philanthropist organization, presented funding to 22 organizations statewide, according to a news release issued this morning. Photos provided by the organization show checks being issued on July 1.

Funding within Springfield Business Journal's coverage area went to the following:
• $25,000 for the Brightli Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Burrell Behavioral Health parent company Brightli Inc., for its Firefly division to provide dentures for uninsured people with developmental disabilities
• $25,000 for LinkAbility Inc. in Hollister to provide dental care services for individuals with developmental disabilities
• $20,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ozarks to help provide no-cost dental services and educational programming through its Tooth Truck

Additionally, a $10,000 grant went to the Missouri operation of Denver-based Dental Lifeline Network. The organization provides dental care to people who cannot afford it in myriad Missouri counties, including Christian, Greene and Taney.

“We’re thrilled to partner with each organization to support life-changing work through our oral health grant program," said Stacy Harris, community impact program manager at Delta Dental of Missouri, in the release. "Together, we can help thousands of children and adults across the state receive vital treatment and services to improve their oral health and overall well-being.”