Category: Blog

Coloradans of all ages experience oral health disparities. We work to create a continuum of accessible oral health care across a lifetime. Through collaboration with communities, we intend to reach groups that have been historically overlooked.

Across Colorado

Seven rural Colorado counties lack dental services, which means there is no practicing dentist or dental clinic in the county. Ten other counties have limited dental services, which means two or fewer practicing dentists or dental clinics in the county. Each year, we reach more Colorado communities through activities including toothbrush donations, Land of Smiles and the Colorado Medical-Dental Integration Project. To date we have reached 38 of Colorado’s 64 counties. 

Our theory on improving health in the state

For more than 20 years, Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation has been working to make good oral health a community priority. As a 501(c)(3) public charity funded by the nonprofit Delta Dental of Colorado, we work closely with the company through their community engagement program. We believe our efforts together will improve the health of all Coloradans.

We envision a world where everyone understands that oral and overall health are connected. Collaboration is key to helping Coloradans achieve their optimal well-being. We will partner with organizations to make the greatest impact in the communities they serve. We plan to expand that reach with an open funding opportunity in July. Join our email list to learn more!

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.

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.