Delta Dental Community Care Foundation Expands Multi-Year Senior Oral Health Partnership Program to Mississippi Delta Region

Delta Dental Community Care Foundation team members with representatives from the Mississippi Delta Senior Oral Health Partnership at a summit in Oakland, CA.

The Delta Dental Community Care Foundation is once again expanding its multi-year Senior Oral Health Partnership Program by committing an additional $5 million over the next five years to a partnership in the Mississippi Delta region.

The new collaboration brings together Delta Health Center — a historic Federally Qualified Health Center — along with Delta Health System, the Mississippi State Office of Oral Health, and Bolivar County Council on Aging, Inc. to join forces with the Community Care Foundation to serve older adults living in rural areas through increased access and resources.

This grant is part of Delta Dental’s commitment to senior oral health, which includes more than $20 million in philanthropic giving dedicated to senior oral health initiatives through the Community Care Foundation.

Continued focus on senior oral health

According to  U.S. Census projections, older adults aged 65 and older will outnumber children for the first time in U.S. history by 2030. A Delta Dental survey revealed that 80% of older American adults don’t go to the dentist as often as recommended, and access is one of the main barriers.

Since its launch in April 2022, the Senior Oral Health Partnership Program aims to transform how vulnerable seniors access quality oral health care by investing in strategic community partnerships. By forming and funding local collaborations, the program supports the development of innovative approaches and expansion of oral health services. Insights collected by the partnerships regarding community needs and successes are used to identify effective solutions and inform the Senior Oral Health Care Model. Oral health is directly linked to overall health, and by supporting the providers at these organizations through partnership, Delta Dental is working to bridge critical gaps in care and help more patients receive the oral health care they need.

Why Mississippi?

The need in the Mississippi Delta is especially urgent. More than half (55%) of the seniors in the region experience severe tooth loss and 25% of older adults are missing teeth, with 20% of older adults in the area living below the federal poverty level. This new partnership plans to expand clinical capacity in the region, provide comprehensive mobile services and transportation, and implement education and policy advocacy for improved oral health outcomes among rural seniors.

Progress of the Senior Oral Health Partnership Program to date

Existing partners from Washington, D.C., Howard University College of Dentistry and Mary’s Center; Santa Cruz County, Dientes Community Dental Care and Salud Para La Gente; and San Diego, a consortium of nine partners led by Health Quality Partners of Southern California, have served more than 13,000 senior patients through the Senior Oral Health Partnership Program to date. These senior patients receive comprehensive, ongoing care and establish a dental home.

One of those senior patients is Caroline Bryant, a 67-year-old retired, disabled stroke survivor, who urgently needed partial dentures. Despite her Medicare coverage, Caroline’s insurance did not extend to dental treatments, leaving her in a difficult predicament. She discovered Mary’s Center in 2023 through her friend who benefited from the Senior Oral Health Partnership Program. Caroline said, “There are no other programs out there that assist seniors with dental care,” expressing her relief and gratitude. Caroline travels nearly two hours to attend her appointments at Mary’s Center; she has received a cleaning, several fillings, and her partial dentures.

If you would like to learn more, read our full press release  here.