DTA Foundation Announces 2024 Grant Recipients

The Impact of School-Based Dental Programs on School Absenteeism

Texas Tech Foundation Inc. (benefiting TTUHSC El Paso)  

The Center for Oral Health is excited to launch a groundbreaking study on the Impact of School-Based Dental Programs on School Absenteeism. This research, will analyze dental absenteeism data across Sacramento County’s schools to uncover the direct effects of our Early Smiles Sacramento program. By correlating school absenteeism with dental health, we aim to showcase the significant benefits of school-based dental care, advocate for informed policy changes, and highlight the positive impact of Early Smiles Sacramento in reducing absenteeism and improving student well-being.

Special Care, Healthy Smiles: Oral Health Care for IDD Individuals and Their Caretakers (winner of the Disabled Community Access Fund Grant) 

Center for Oral Health

“Special Care, Healthy Smiles” is an initiative of the Hunt School of Dental Medicine at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso to host a series of five events at the Texas Tech Dental Oral Health Clinic (OHC) to provide dental screenings and oral health education to adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their caregivers, including both family members who care for their loved ones and professional aides who work with IDD individuals in private homes or in facilities.

Partnership to Empower Grant Applicants in the Oral Health Sector

The Unfunded List

Through this partnership, Unfunded List and DTA Foundation will combine their expertise and resources to ensure that every grant applicant receives helpful and candid feedback and the opportunity to discuss their proposal. By leveraging Unfunded List’s extensive network of proposal reviewers and DTA Foundation’s deep understanding of oral healthcare needs, the partnership will offer tailored guidance to grant applicants, empowering them to refine their proposals and increase their chances of securing funding. 

PCHC Dental Assistant Training Academy: An On-The-Job Training Program to Increase Access to Oral Health Care

Penobscot Community Health Center, Inc. (PCHC)

PCHC’s Dental Assistant Training Academy is an innovative, replicable, creative solution to the Dental Assistant shortage in our nation; utilizing a “grow your own” on-the-job training approach we will improve communities by increasing access to oral health care and providing career advancement opportunities.
 

“The DTA Foundation is proud to support these innovative grant organizations and individuals who have the potential to transform oral health care,” said Sarah Miller, DTA Foundation Executive Director. “These recipients have demonstrated a deep commitment to addressing critical challenges in oral health, and we believe their projects will pave the way for improved access and outcomes for underserved populations.” 

The $25,000 grants will provide critical funding for these organizations to implement and assess their pilot projects, with the goal of developing scalable solutions that can benefit communities nationwide. The DTA Foundation remains dedicated to fostering innovation and collaboration within the dental industry to address oral health disparities and improve the overall well-being of individuals.