BOSTON September 14, 2023 – DentaQuest, part of Sun Life U.S., today announced a series of contributions to Michigan nonprofits to help increase oral health care access and education among underserved communities. DentaQuest provides dental benefits to more than 2 million people across Michigan, through state-based Medicaid and Medicare programs, as well as individual and commercial plans.
DentaQuest is donating $45,000 across seven organizations in support of grassroots efforts to provide accessible oral health care services to at-risk individuals and new pathways into the dental profession, including:
- University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry to enable dental student experiences in community-based care for underserved populations through school-based and other outreach programs.
- Central City Health to launch a mobile dental program for Detroit and Wayne counties.
- Great Lakes Bay Health Center to provide children oral health services at schools, shelters and soup kitchens.
- Cherry Health Foundation to provide underserved individuals with fully covered oral health care services.
- Macomb and Lansing Community Colleges to continue offering dental hygiene scholarships.
- Michigan Dental Association to increase access to oral health care across the state.
“Access to quality care is one of the biggest barriers to achieving good oral health for many underserved and at-risk individuals,” said Steve Pollock, president of DentaQuest. “By supporting local, community-based organizations and academic institutions that are committed to increasing access to oral health care and new workforce pathways, we’re investing in the future of health care in Michigan and improving oral health outcomes for all.”
University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry
DentaQuest’s contribution to the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry will be designated to assist its Mobile Clinic Fund. This donation supports a mix of school-based mobile programs, Men’s Oral Health Clinics, Mouthguard Clinics, Special Needs Clinics and student run dental clinics, which allow dental students to participate in service learning and community-based care for at-risk populations.
Central City Health
DentaQuest’s donation will be used to launch Central City Health’s (CCH) mobile dental program, which will provide oral health care for schools and community events across Detroit and Wayne counties. CCH is recognized as a Level III Patient-Centered Medical Home, the highest level of recognition from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
Great Lakes Bay Health Center
The Great Lakes Bay Health Center (GLBHC) is Michigan’s second-largest federally qualified health center (FQHC), with 30 locations spanning seven counties, that cares for individuals and communities who are underserved, uninsured or underinsured. With DentaQuest’s contribution, GLBHC will provide comprehensive oral health care to children at schools, shelters and soup kitchens through its “Smiles are Everywhere” mobile program.
Cherry Health Foundation
DentaQuest’s donation to Cherry Health Foundation will be applied to the organization’s Patient Care Fund, which will help provide oral health care services, including screenings, cleanings, sealants, implants and dentures to eligible patients. Cherry Health Foundation is the state’s largest FQHC, based in Grand Rapids and operating in six counties.
Macomb and Lansing Community Colleges
DentaQuest’s contribution will extend its support of the DentaQuest Dental Hygiene Scholarships already offered at Macomb and Lansing Community Colleges. These scholarships provide financial assistance to students facing challenges or students returning to school later in life with the ultimate goal of developing more qualified dental professionals ready to serve in their local communities.
Michigan Dental Association
The Michigan Dental Association will use DentaQuest’s contribution to support its “Swings for Smiles” event, hosted in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Funds raised during the event will aid Michigan Dental Association’s access to care projects.
Today’s announcement is DentaQuest’s latest investment in organizations increasing oral health care access in Michigan. The contributions complement DentaQuest’s longtime support for local efforts by the Michigan Dental Association Foundation and TeamSmile, which focus on access to care for underserved populations.
ABOUT DENTAQUEST
Sun Life U.S. Dental, which includes DentaQuest, is dedicated to improving the oral health of all through purpose-driven, outcomes-based solutions. We make dental benefits better for everyone through Preventistry® – an inclusive approach centered on preventive, quality care, expanded access and solutions built on valued relationships across the health care ecosystem. We manage dental and vision benefits for approximately 36 million Americans. For 30 years, we have delivered cost-effective benefit plans and services for employer groups, individuals, health plans, and government-sponsored dental programs. We are the largest Medicaid and CHIP dental benefits administrator in the U.S., by membership. We also support direct patient care through an expanding network of approximately 80 dental practices in underserved communities across the United States. Learn more about Sun Life U.S. Dental at Sunlife.com/dental and DentaQuest.com.
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