Delta Dental Foundation Sends Equipment Grant To MCC Foundation

MANCHESTER, CT — The Delta Dental Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental of New Jersey and Connecticut, has announced that five organizations in Hartford County will receive $187,725 in grants to support 3,806 individuals and families, including the Manchester Community College Foundation.

The funds, part of a $921,383 contribution statewide benefiting almost 6,800 individuals and families, seek to improve the oral care of uninsured and underinsured populations, and support workforce development programs assisting students entering dental careers.

"Our Foundation focuses on supporting programs that address oral health care challenges, which help improve access to dental care and education for Connecticut residents," said Dennis G. Wilson, president and CEO of Delta Dental of New Jersey and Connecticut and vice president of the Delta Dental Foundation. "A healthy smile is invaluable to our overall health, our self-esteem, and our relationships. We remain committed to our communities and our belief that everyone deserves a healthy smile."

The funding will reach throughout the state of Connecticut through a range of SMILE and SMILE Workforce grants to help maintain the dental health of seniors, developmentally disabled adults and children, disadvantaged children, and veterans. This year, a special series of Workforce grants were funded to renew or start programs addressing the dental workforce pipeline, specifically relating to dental assistants, which has experienced a severe shortage in recent years.

The Manchester Community College Foundation received a $48,500 grant to fund its Dental Assistant Program, including student scholarships and purchase equipment for their new lab space. The grant will benefit students from Hartford, Tolland, and Windham counties.