Rockford, IL — Milestone Dental Clinic in Rockford has received a grant from the Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation to expand dental care for patients with developmental disabilities.
The grant, part of the foundation’s annual Community Grants Program, is among more than $270,000 awarded to 29 organizations statewide.
Funds will cover oral exams, cleanings, and fluoride treatments for individuals without insurance, Medicaid, or the means to pay for care. The clinic will develop individualized treatment plans to meet the unique needs of patients with developmental disabilities.
Since 2012, the Community Grants Program has distributed over $2 million to support organizations that improve access to oral health care and education.
“Oral health is the foundation of overall well-being,” said Lora Vitek, executive director of the Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation. “Through our grants and partnerships, we are helping every child access care that supports a lifetime of healthy smiles.”
Other recipients include the Bond County Health Department, which plans to expand its dental clinic, and the Clay County Health Department, which will offer preventive care and oral health education through mobile units.
The grants aim to address disparities in oral health, particularly in areas with few Medicaid dental providers or high poverty rates. For instance, the DeWitt-Piatt Bi-County Health Department will purchase a handheld x-ray unit to improve preventive care access, while the Southern Seven Health Department will expand services across seven counties facing critical shortages of dental providers.
Several initiatives focus on innovative programs for children. The Hult Center for Healthy Living in Peoria will introduce hands-on oral health lessons for pre-K to first-grade students, teaching proper brushing and flossing techniques.
The Elgin Adventist Church’s Heal Elgin Project will host a two-day clinic offering dental care and additional services for underserved populations.
