The Delta Dental Foundation is giving $500,000 to help safety-net dental clinics and nonprofits in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio amid the pandemic, according to a March 30 news release, cited by WILX 10.
Organizations who work with vulnerable populations and provide health services or food assistance can apply for grants up to $10,000. Grant recipients will also be given toothbrushes and oral health educational materials, as well as a listing of local dental emergency clinics.
"Safety-net dental clinics play a critical role in treating the underserved, uninsured and the Medicaid population, typically the demographic most likely to use the hospital emergency room if they have a dental emergency," the news release said, according to WILX 10. "However, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic it is imperative that hospital emergency rooms not be overwhelmed with patients who could be treated elsewhere."