Feb. 26, 2025 – The Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation has awarded $30,000 to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) to support the delivery of essential oral health care services and education to underserved communities.
The funds will be used by the Department of Dental Hygiene in the College of Health Professions and the UAMS Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation Oral Health Clinic to continue providing preventive and interventional dental care, as well as oral health education. The program aims to help populations that face challenges in accessing dental services.
Since its establishment in 2013, the 12th Street Health & Wellness Center has served as a hub for interprofessional collaboration, benefiting uninsured and underinsured patients. Many of the center’s patients will be referred to the UAMS clinics for oral health care, where they will receive free acute and comprehensive dental services.
The grant will help expand access to care and support efforts to reduce oral health disparities across Arkansas. The UAMS clinics focus on providing dental education and care to those in need, helping to improve overall health outcomes for underserved populations.
The Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation, which supports initiatives to increase access to oral health care, selected UAMS for its innovative approach and potential to make a significant impact on the state’s oral health.
“We are pleased to support the important work of the UAMS Dental Hygiene and Oral Health clinics,” said Sharon Lanier, Ph.D., executive director of the Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation. “By improving access to dental care, we can help prevent serious health issues and promote better oral and overall health for children and adults in Arkansas.”
