Community Benefit Programs

Furthering Our Mission. Helping Michigan.

Delta Dental of Michigan has been doing business here for more than 50 years and currently serves more than 3 million people throughout the state. As a not-for-profit organization, part of our mission is to improve the oral health and overall wellbeing of the communities we serve—starting in our own backyard. We advance our mission by supporting groups and programs that help provide oral health education, expand access to oral health care for the people of Michigan, and better our communities.

Many Reasons to Smile

Since it was established in 1980 as the philanthropic arm of Delta Dental, the Delta Dental Foundation (DDF) has provided grants totaling more than $14 million to organizations that provide dental care for the underserved, to programs that promote the importance of good oral health, and to educational institutions to enhance dental education and research.

Dental School Donations and Student Scholarships

Each year DDF supports dental researchers, graduate students and recent dental school graduates through grant and award programs. These programs are intended to encourage research with direct relevance to improving dental care and to recognize leadership, community involvement and top academic performance.

Recently, the DDF granted the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry funding for the emergency and screening clinic of its new dental school, a place where indigent citizens can receive care.

Children’s Wellbeing

Delta Dental helps fund a number of important programs dedicated to improving the oral health of children in Michigan. The Head Start Fluoride Varnish Program and Miles of Smiles Mobile Dental Van are just two of the worthy programs we are proud to support.

In partnership with the Michigan Department of Community Health, Delta Dental is helping to improve the oral health of underserved children through the Healthy Kids Dental and MIChild programs. These programs improve access to care and build the foundation for a dental home.

Doing Our Part for the Community

Delta Dental supports the Michigan Donated Dental Services Program, which has helped more than 3,700 elderly, disabled and disadvantaged citizens receive free preventive and restorative dental care. Through support of programs like Capital Area United Way, United Way of Southeast Michigan, NAACP Freedom Fund, Metro Detroit Tri-County Health Council, Children’s Trust Fund, and the Michigan Department of Community Health, we believe we can make a difference in the lives of our neighbors.