The reality is that for each child without medical insurance, there are 2.6 children without dental insurance and, for every adult over age 18 without medical insurance, there are three without dental insurance.¹ Locally, we are focused on improving those statistics. Since 1986, the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation, Inc. has donated over $11.7 million to support dental-focused projects that can and do make a difference.

Our Foundation has been making a difference in underserved communities across the state of New Jersey, and more recently in Connecticut, by supporting dental clinics that treat the under/uninsured, promoting the importance of good oral health through educational programs, and supporting college scholarship programs for dental hygiene and dental assisting students.

For 10 years, we have supported Matheny Medical and Educational Center – to date our Foundation has awarded nearly half a million dollars to help build and support their dental center. Matheny makes a difference in the lives of developmentally disabled children and adults – and we are proud to play a role in their success. In 2010, we created a YouTube video that highlighted our partnership and won a contest among Delta Dental member companies.

In addition to long-term grantees, we also supported new recipients, such as Cathedral Kitchen in Camden, New Jersey. Cathedral is a large-scale soup kitchen with a job training program that serves the poor, 40% of Camden’s population. Our grant supported Cathedral’s Project Smiles Dental Clinic, which provides free dental care to those without insurance.

For the fourth year, our Foundation awarded its Oral Health Education Initiative grant to three schools in districts formerly designated as Abbott school districts. Elementary schools in Hoboken, Passaic, and Paterson received grants totaling $15,000 to incorporate oral health education all school
year long.

2010 marked the 20th anniversary for two philanthropic programs – Delta Dental Golf Classic, benefitting Special Olympics New Jersey, and Captain Supertooth. Our Golf Classic raised nearly $47,000 for Special Olympics New Jersey, bringing the lifetime total to $783,000. Our oral health superhero, Captain Supertooth, visited 43 schools and instructed more than 7,300 New Jersey and Connecticut youngsters on good oral health habits.

In addition to the work of our Foundation, our employees make a difference in local communities. Because our organization believes in giving back, our corporate volunteer policy allows each employee to dedicate two workdays per year to volunteer. In 2010, 89 employees participated in 81.5 days of volunteer activities at organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Mount Pleasant Animal Shelter, and P.G. Chambers School, a special needs school.

Our outreach goes beyond the boundaries of dental benefits. Volunteerism is ingrained in our culture. Oral health is our passion. Making a difference is of great value to us.