Grant Funding Criteria

The Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation is seeking grant applications for 2023. All applications are due by Friday, February 17, 2023.

The Mission of the Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation is: To improve the oral health of New Jersey and Connecticut residents by providing charitable contributions to solve oral health care challenges.

S.M.I.L.E. Grants

The populations our Foundation seeks to serve include uninsured and underinsured:


NEW in 2023! Another population our Foundation seeks to serve as part of our S.M.I.L.E. grants programs are dental assistants – to address the workforce shortage issue facing many dental practitioners. More information can be found below.

The Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation's 2023 Grant Cycle is based on the S.M.I.L.E. Method. Please be sure to read below to determine if your program meets our strategy and criteria. What is the S.M.I.L.E. Method?

S.M.I.L.E. - Solution-based: Our Foundation will fund projects and programs that address and solve oral health care challenges facing four critical uninsured/underinsured populations: children, developmentally disabled persons, veterans, and seniors. NEW in 2023! Our Foundation also seeks to serve dental assisting students via SMILE Grants.

S.M.I.L.E. - Measurement and Impact: Grant Applicants must clearly identify goals and outcomes to show how the program assesses success in the short term and long term.

S.M.I.L.E. - Longevity: Grant Applicants must clearly outline how the Foundation's funding will continue outside of the grant period relating to the sustainability of the program being funded.

S.M.I.L.E. .- Execution: Grant Applicants must focus on applying for solution-based programs for one of the above-mentioned populations explaining how the program will be executed, the anticipated outcomes for that program, and how the program will affect that population's oral health care.

Delta Dental of New Jersey S.M.I.L.E. Grants Funding Requirements:



Funding priorities for each population:

Children	We recognize that dental decay is the number one chronic disease of childhood. We are looking for programs that will have long-term effects by treating children at an earlier age when they can learn lifetime good oral health habits. This can be accomplished through a variety of programs. Our Foundation seeks to support: School-based dental sealant programs Establishing dental homes for children Early childhood dental care access programs for children ages 0-3 Programs that integrate oral health with pediatricians and family practice physicians
Developmentally Disabled Persons	We recognize that developmentally disabled individuals require specialized care to maintain good oral health. The Foundation seeks to fund programs that will improve access to dental care that meets their unique health care needs. This can be accomplished through a variety of programs. Our Foundation seeks to support new or existing dental care programs serving those with: Autism spectrum disorders Down syndrome Cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, vision impairment, and/or other developmental disabilities
Veterans	We recognize that many veterans lack access to dental care and many do not qualify for VA dental benefits. The Foundation seeks programs that will improve veterans’ access to dental care so the men and women who served our country can maintain good oral health. This can be accomplished through a variety of programs. Our Foundation seeks to support: Preventive dental care programs (establish a program or expand a current program) Programs that establish dental homes for veterans Programs that allow edentulous veterans to get dentures Programs that address the total care of the patient and incorporates oral health care into the person's overall health care team (for example, persons with underlying health conditions, such as diabetes)
Seniors	We recognize that health care needs change as we age. Seniors are prone to severe periodontal disease, a condition linked to other health conditions including diabetes, tooth loss, dry mouth, and oral cancer. The Foundation seeks programs that will improve seniors’ access to dental care so they can maintain good oral health. This can be accomplished through a variety of programs. Our Foundation seeks to support: Oral cancer prevention and treatment programs Mobile dental clinics that visit nursing homes, assisted living facilities, senior centers, and/or community events for seniors Programs that allow edentulous veterans to get dentures Programs that address the total care of the patient and incorporates oral health care into the person's overall health care team (for example, persons with underlying health conditions, such as diabetes)

 

The above programs can be accomplished in several ways. The types of programs our Foundation will consider funding include, but are not limited to: mobile dental units, equipment and capital, supporting dental personnel, and direct patient care.

NEW! Dental Assistant (DA) Programs
In Memory of Dr. Gene F. Napoliello, former Chairman, Delta Dental of New Jersey Foundation

We recognize, especially during these extraordinary times, that there is a shortage of dental assistants to provide dentists with vital support while treating patients and increasing access to dental care across New Jersey and Connecticut.

Dental assistants are essential members of a dental healthcare team – improving the oral and overall health of children, seniors, veterans, those with developmental disabilities, and adults of all ages. Our Foundation is introducing this new SMILE grant opportunity to focus on workforce development and recruitment of dental assistants to provide dental care in underserved communities throughout New Jersey and Connecticut.

This can be accomplished through a variety of programs. Our Foundation seeks to support new or established programs that:

• Are State-approved and adhere to State regulations or are in the process of seeking State approval
• Follow the NELDA model, with radiology and infection control, including Radiation Health and Safety (RHS) exam, Infection Control Exam (ICE), and Anatomy, Morphology and Physiology (AMP) exam (The NELDA model is preferred, not required)

Establish or expand dental assisting programs through any of the following ways:

• Encourage and expose high school students to the dental assisting field
• Increase the number of dental assistants working in a public health setting, including FQHCs, community clinics, and hospitals
• Build a strong dental assisting workforce in underserved communities throughout New Jersey and Connecticut
• Improve access to dental care in our communities by recruiting and rebuilding depleted dental assistant staff

Funding can be applied in several ways, including but not limited to:

• Student scholarships including covering the costs of tuition, books, exams, radiology, and any other costs assumed by students to complete their RDA requirements or CDA certifications
• This includes certificate/diploma and associate degree programs
• Supporting school-to-career programs, dental assisting training programs, HOSA, dental radiology, as well as dental assisting programs at New Jersey and Connecticut colleges and other educational institutions
• Funding colleges and/or other institutions that are establishing and/or expanding dental assisting programs

Please note that funds will not be awarded to individuals. Funds must be awarded to a school or non-profit entity that administers dental assisting programs, including the awarding of student scholarships.

S.M.I.L.E. Mini-Grants

In addition to the S.M.I.L.E. Grants, our Foundation also awards S.M.I.L.E. Mini-Grants. The S.M.I.L.E. Mini- Grants seek to serve the same populations as listed above:

• Children (ages 0 - 17)
• Developmentally disabled persons
• Veterans (ages 18+)
• Seniors (age 65+)

The S.M.I.L.E. Mini-Grants can support direct patient care, as well as support access to dental care for the above populations through supporting workforce development via dental hygiene student scholarships.

S.M.I.L.E. Mini-Grants can also support dental education programs for any of the above populations to help increase awareness of the importance of healthy smiles, teach proper brushing and flossing techniques, as well as provide oral health tools (toothbrushes, floss, toothpaste, mouthwash).

• The Foundation plans to award at least 10 Mini-Grants in 2023
• Applicants should apply for no more than $10,000
• Examples of Mini-Grants the Foundation will consider funding are Give Kids A Smile Day, dental supplies and equipment, direct patient care costs, and dental hygiene student scholarships
• If you are applying for a S.M.I.L.E. Grant and would also like to apply for a S.M.I.L.E. Mini-Grant, please contact Kim at kelmore@deltadentalnj.com

All grant applicants must create an account in Foundant to apply. If you already have an account, please log-in to complete your grant application(s). If there are any questions, please contact Kim Elmore at kelmore@deltadentalnj.com.

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