Skip to Content

Category: Blog

Announcing Our New Mission

At Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation, we think about oral health every day. It is a window into individual and community well-being. We’re committed to partnering with communities so more people have healthier smiles. Today, we’re excited to announce our new mission: to elevate the well-being of Coloradans by improving oral health equity. At Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation, we think about oral health every day. It is a window into individual and community well-being. We’re committed to partnering with communities so more people have healthier smiles. Today, we’re excited to announce our new mission: to elevate the well-being of Coloradans by improving oral health equity.

Everyone has a smile.

We are expanding our focus because oral health impacts Coloradans of all ages. By including all Coloradans, we ensure that oral health is considered across the lifespan – from pregnant women and children to adults and seniors. We are looking for new opportunities to work within our three focus areas:
  • Access to care
  • Prevention of tooth decay
  • Connections of oral health to overall health

We're on a journey.

As our board and staff commit to understanding equity, we value hearing different voices throughout Colorado. We are strengthening our work with communities to create opportunities for people that have historically been overlooked. Health equity isn’t one size fits all. Social determinants, like age, residence, income and ethnicity, impact a person’s oral health. There isn’t one solution for everyone. When regular dental care isn’t accessible, it makes sense that oral health inequities occur. These inequities have negative consequences from quality of life and life expectancy to rates and severity of disease. That’s why we look forward to collaborating with a variety of people and organizations to design and implement activities that have the greatest potential to improve oral health in Colorado communities. Later in the year, we will be offering responsive grant funding opportunities for the first time. We believe our current as well as new partners will draw our attention to unique approaches to move towards oral health equity. Join us on our journey to improve oral health equity. We want to hear from you – your stories, values and ideas about this topic. Check out this video announcing our new mission and learn how you can join the conversation.

Closing the Gap Between Medical and Dental Care Visits

  Any new parent will tell you they’re often going to well-child visits. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends up to 12 checkups during the first three years of a child’s life. The regular visits create trust among pediatrician, parent, and child. According to the 2015 Colorado Health Access Survey, more than 90% of […] The post Closing the Gap Between Medical and Dental Care Visits appeared first on Delta Dental of Colorado Blog.

The Importance of Oral Health: Spreading the Word to Colorado

Delta Dental of Colorado uniquely understands the critical connection between oral health and overall health. Beyond just giving you the ability to eat, speak, and smile, your oral health affects your overall health AND your financial health. We want our members and all Coloradans to understand this fact so that they make it a priority! For […] The post The Importance of Oral Health: Spreading the Word to Colorado appeared first on Delta Dental of Colorado Blog.

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 […] The post Mission Critical: Programs That Improve Oral Health in Vulnerable Communities appeared first on Delta Dental of Colorado Blog.

Making An Impact – 2016 Annual Report

Reaching Colorado communities about the importance of oral health is our goal every day. Funding from Delta Dental of Colorado supports our grants and initiatives to make an positive impact in the community. We are grateful for this support as well as the leadership of our Board of Directors. Our partners help us move toward achieving our mission of eradicating childhood tooth decay. Read more in our 2016 Annual Report, Making An Impact.

Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation: Making Moves Across the State

The Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation is working across Colorado to improve oral health by eradicating childhood tooth decay. To make good oral health a community priority, the foundation supports projects that achieve at least one of our 3 drivers of success: Improve access to evidence-based dental care. Increase the public’s awareness of and support […] The post Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation: Making Moves Across the State appeared first on Delta Dental of Colorado Blog.

Westwood Unidos

Educa Radio Muestras invitadas de hoy son Tracy Kaye Coordinadora de salud y Gaby Medina Educadora de Salud ambas por parte de Westwood Unidos para hablarnos de la campaña Cavities Get Around / Las Caries se Propagan.

3 Innovative Ways Dental Schools are Evolving

Dental schools are transforming their teaching to reflect the rapid changes in dental science and technology. These innovations are happening locally and around the world: Integrating with Medical Care Because oral health is strongly connected to overall health, schools are looking to integrate medical and dental care. The University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine trains future doctors, physician […] The post 3 Innovative Ways Dental Schools are Evolving appeared first on Delta Dental of Colorado Blog.

Partnering Helps Communities Learn About Oral Health

On the first Tuesday every month, the Delta Dental of Colorado Tooth Fairy visits the Children’s Museum of Denver at Marisco campus. It’s Target Tuesday and from 4-8 p.m., families can get in for free. The Tooth Fairy is there to talk to kids and families about good oral health. She gives them toothbrushes to […] The post Partnering Helps Communities Learn About Oral Health appeared first on Delta Dental of Colorado Blog.

Hygienist Breaks Down Access to Dental Care Barriers in Rural Colorado

Access to a dentist can be hard even with dental insurance. In Colorado, almost 1 of 5 adults have Medicaid coverage. Less than 12 percent of Colorado licensed dentists take part in Medicaid, due to a variety of factors. Some of those providers only treat a few enrollees while about 5% treat a significant number […] The post Hygienist Breaks Down Access to Dental Care Barriers in Rural Colorado appeared first on Delta Dental of Colorado Blog.

State Sugar Taxes: Sodapressing or Sweet Solution?

State Sugar Taxes: Sodapressing or Sweet Solution? Taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages have the potential to make our kids healthier. Introduced as the SWEET Act in 2014, the bill would add a 1% tax per every 4.2 grams of added sugar in beverages. The United States hasn’t implemented a nationwide sugar tax yet, but 6 cities have put a higher price tag on the […] The post State Sugar Taxes: Sodapressing or Sweet Solution? appeared first on Delta Dental of Colorado Blog.

Colorado Kids Leading the Way with Healthy Choices

Colorado kids leading the way with healthy choices Seventeen thousand people live within the 1.5 square-mile Westwood neighborhood in Denver. Compared to Denver overall, Westwood residents earn just over half the median household income. Almost half the residents lack a high school degree and they have larger and more crowded households. 81% of Westwood residents are Hispanic and many are Spanish-only speakers. In […] The post Colorado Kids Leading the Way with Healthy Choices appeared first on Delta Dental of Colorado Blog.