Delta Dental donates $250M over 5 years

Delta Dental member companies have contributed $250 million in grants and donations during the last five years to charity dental clinics, children participating in Head Start programs, students pursing degrees in dentistry and dental hygiene, and dentists trying to retire debts, the company announced.

"People in every state have benefited from Delta Dental grants and donations," said Chris Pyle, director of public relations for the Delta Dental Plans Association. "Whether it is mobile dental units in Washington, South Dakota, or Arkansas; entertaining education programs in New Jersey, Connecticut, Missouri, Michigan, or Oklahoma; school-based sealant programs in Wisconsin or Colorado; safety net dental clinics in California, New Mexico, or Pennsylvania; or Head Start kids in Minnesota or Kansas, Delta Dental is having a huge impact on the lives of underserved adults and kids."

Under healthcare reform, beginning in 2014, adults will be required to purchase health insurance or else pay a fine. Part of the coverage they will be required to purchase is a yet-to-be-defined package of dental benefits for their children, the company said. For the first time, parents shopping for medical and dental benefits will be able to do so via state insurance exchanges, where they'll also have access to varying levels of subsidies.

"Access may always be an issue," Pyle said. "While healthcare reform will mean new coverage options for children, if historical trends continue, we know that access to care for low-income Americans and their children will remain a challenge."