From worry to relief: how community partnerships are expanding access to oral health care

For months, Sosa worried about her children's dental health.

As a single mother raising a 7-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter, she knew they needed care, but navigating the health care system felt overwhelming. Cost was a constant concern, and as her son's dental pain worsened and his cheeks became swollen, she found herself facing a difficult reality. Despite knowing he needed treatment, she delayed seeking care for five months because she wasn't sure where to turn.

Everything changed after a conversation with a friend whose children received care at CommUnityCare Health Centers in Austin, Texas.

Encouraged by her friend's experience, Sosa reached out to the clinic. Appointments were scheduled quickly, and both of her children received the care they needed, including dental exams, cleanings, fillings, crowns and extractions. Sosa's daughter was also referred for a specialized gum procedure, and her son is scheduled to return for additional treatment.

The care brought immediate relief to her children and gave Sosa peace of mind knowing their dental needs were finally being addressed.

"I don't have the words to express how grateful I am. Without this clinic, I don't know how we would have accessed or afforded the care they needed," Sosa shared. "The staff treated us with kindness and respect from the moment we arrived. I am incredibly thankful for the care and support they provided."

Through partnerships with organizations like CommUnityCare Health Centers, the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation helps providers reach more patients and families who might otherwise face barriers to care. These investments support the clinics and care teams that make stories like Sosa’s possible.

Access to Care Grants

This year, the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation is awarding $16.3 million through its Access to Care Grants Program to nonprofit organizations across Delta Dental of California and affiliates' 15-state service area and Washington, D.C. The funding supports programs that expand access to quality, affordable oral health care for underserved communities and help remove barriers that can prevent individuals and families from getting treatment.

The grants are part of a longstanding commitment to improving oral health and strengthening communities. Since 2011, the Community Care Foundation has provided more than $200 million in funding and support to nonprofit organizations working to improve oral health outcomes, advance health equity and expand access to care.

"Meaningful change happens when organizations work together around a shared purpose,” said Kenzie Ferguson, vice president of foundation and corporate social responsibility for Delta Dental of California and affiliates. "These partnerships support the organizations and providers who are delivering care every day and help build stronger, healthier and more resilient communities by improving access to quality oral health care where it is needed most.”

Supporting Healthier Communities

Through the Access to Care Grants Program, the Community Care Foundation partners with organizations advancing progress in three key areas:

• Seniors and Special Populations: Programs that address health disparities and provide care for vulnerable seniors and special needs populations
• Innovative and Preventative Care: Initiatives that advance new technologies and preventative methods to improve dental health outcomes
• Rural Communities: Efforts to enhance dental care services in rural and underserved areas

Beyond the funding itself, the grants help strengthen local organizations and expand their ability to serve patients, families and communities. Together, these partnerships create lasting impact that extends far beyond a single grant cycle.

And for families like Sosa's, that impact can mean something simple but life-changing: relief from pain, renewed peace of mind and access to care when it matters most.

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