Florida dental foundation awards $60,000 to local groups

The Florida Dental Health Foundation (FDHF), the charitable arm of the Florida Dental Association (FDA), has awarded $61,438 to local dental health groups in Florida. These groups will use the funding in various ways to provide treatment to underserved Florida communities.

Awards were dispersed as follows:

• Alachua County Organization for Rural Needs Clinic: Awarded $9,177 to purchase hygiene equipment and dental health education and screening supplies for the treatment of preschool and elementary school children.
• Barnabas Center: Awarded $5,988 to provide 144 pro-bono visits to the clinic.
• Caridad Center: Awarded $5,000 to purchase supplies needed to support the operation of the dental clinic.
• Community Partnership for the Homeless: Awarded $5,000 to provide care to an additional 50 underserved homeless patients.
• Dentistry from the Heart: Awarded $4,000 to increase the number of patients seen for extractions, fillings and cleanings.
• Donated Dental Services: Awarded $5,000 to purchase office supplies for printing and shipping costs for patient applications and communication with volunteers, patients and the community.
• The Good Samaritan Health Center: Awarded $2,636 for the purchase of dental hygiene supplies and health education kits for patients who visit the new Wildflower Clinic.
• Kid’s Dent of Highlands County: Awarded $3,935 to purchase disposable mirrors, gloves, masks and American Dental Association dental activity books for screenings, materials for sealant program, and dental education materials for parents and children.
• Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine: Awarded $2,750 to provide care for an additional 500 patients by means of evaluations, X-rays, hygiene visits, oral health education and referrals for follow-up and specialty care.
• Osceola Christian Ministry Center: Awarded $5,000 to purchase new sterilizer and month-to-month supplies.
• Senior Friendship Centers: Awarded $3,000 to expand dental services to qualified patients and underwrite the costs of dental supplies to treat patients. They will benefit individuals age 50 and older who are unemployed and living under 100 percent of the federal poverty level.
• We Care Dental Network: Awarded $9,950 to provide direct patient assistance, particularly to those who need dental prosthetic devices.

FDHF is the FDA’s educational and charitable organization, benefiting the public by funding and sponsoring public-education programs. FDHF provides educational CDs on oral health, free of charge, to both elementary and middle schools in Florida. Through foundation grants, the FDA sponsors public-education programs to highlight the importance of good dental health for people of all ages