The Northeast Delta Dental Foundation recently gave Plymouth, N.H.-based Speare Memorial Hospital's Dental Health — a dental program that provides free or low-cost dental services to children — $2,500 for dental supplies, according to The Laconia Daily Sun.
Growing concern over the unmet dental needs of children led to the creation of the program in 1998. Now, over 20 local dental practices partner with Speare to treat patients referred by the program.
"Before Speare brought a dental program into local schools, many students had never been to a dentist and had some very serious issues with their teeth," Ruth Doane, a certified public health dental hygienist at Speare, told The Laconia Daily Sun.
The program provides free dental screenings and fluoride applications, Ms. Doane said, adding that cleanings and sealants are offered on a sliding fee scale.
"No one is ever denied services because of their inability to pay," Ms. Doane said.