NASHVILLE, Tenn., September 3, 2025 — As students across Tennessee return to school, Delta Dental of Tennessee is helping ensure that thousands have one of the simplest tools for maintaining oral and overall health: a toothbrush.
“Oral health is closely tied to a child’s overall well-being and their ability to learn,” said Jeff Ballard, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Tennessee. “Through our Smile180 Foundation, we have long supported Tennessee food banks. We are proud to partner with them again to help children start the school year healthy and smiling.”
This year, Delta Dental donated more than 50,000 toothbrushes to food bank backpack programs across the state. These programs provide easy-to-prepare meals for at-risk children on weekends and during school breaks when other resources are limited. According to recent data, over 40% of Tennessee families with children experience food insecurity.
In Middle Tennessee, 6,600 youth toothbrushes are being delivered to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee as part of their back-to-school outreach. “Delta Dental continues to be a thoughtful partner in health,” said Dick Brown, senior director of corporate engagement at Second Harvest of Middle Tennessee. “These toothbrushes will be a welcome addition to the supplies families receive through our distribution events and programs.”
Delta Dental’s donations also reached other food banks across Tennessee:
East Tennessee: Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee in Maryville received 3,456 adult toothbrushes, 1,728 youth toothbrushes, and 1,000 Grin for Kids™ booklets.
Northeast Tennessee: Second Harvest of Northeast Tennessee in Kingsport received 4,500 youth toothbrushes.
Chattanooga: The Chattanooga Area Food Bank received 9,216 youth toothbrushes and 4,608 adult toothbrushes.
Memphis: Mid-South Food Bank received 7,500 youth toothbrushes and 7,500 adult toothbrushes to support families in West Tennessee.
The donation includes toothbrushes for both children and adults, along with Grin for Kids™ booklets that provide oral health tips designed for children.
