Delta Dental Community Care Foundation awards $50,000 grant to Healthy Smiles for Kids of Orange County

SANTA ANA, Calif., Oct. 12, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Delta Dental Community Care Foundation recently awarded Healthy Smiles for Kids of Orange County a $50,000 grant to support its Smile Center in Garden Grove, California.

The Smile Center treats up to 70 children per day, providing education, preventive treatment, and advanced restorative services, including treatment under general anesthesia. Healthy Smiles is the only nonprofit provider of treatment under general anesthesia for children in Orange County, a crucial service for children with advanced decay, medically fragile cases, and children with special needs. The Tooth Fairy Learning Center, located next to the lobby of the clinic, teaches both children and parents proper brushing techniques, healthy eating tips, and about the dangerous effects of sugar-sweetened beverages.

"We believe a combination of education and preventive treatment is the best way to stop the cycle of decay," said Harvey Lee, DDS, dental director of Healthy Smiles for Kids of Orange County. "Children are losing out on over 51 million schools hours each year due to preventable dental conditions."

"We're delighted to collaborate with Healthy Smiles for Kids of Orange County in improving the oral health of underserved children," said Karen Robinson, vice president of corporate affairs for Delta Dental and executive director of the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation. "Our impact is only as strong as our partnerships, and we could not make a difference without the hard work and dedication of the organizations we support."

The grant is one of 66 given in California this year by the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation to help improve the oral health of disadvantaged children and adults by removing barriers to quality dental care. Since its inception in 2011, the Foundation has awarded nearly $5.5 million in grants to organizations throughout California.

About Delta Dental Community Care Foundation
The Delta Dental Community Care Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of California and its affiliated companies including Delta Dental Insurance Company, Delta Dental of New York, Inc., and Delta Dental of Pennsylvania. Since 2011, the Foundation has awarded nearly $39 million in funding and support to increase access to quality dental care, oral health education, and advance scientific research across the company's 15-state service area and the District of Columbia.

CONTACT: Kathleen Brennan, 562-659-3237, [email protected]

SOURCE Delta Dental Community Care Foundation