Overview

Grant making and programs are the DentaQuest Foundation’s primary means of achieving its mission. Every organization which approaches us about funding to improve oral health represents a potential opportunity.  Beginning in 2009, the Foundation will consider grant requests from organizations in Florida and Maryland, in addition to Massachusetts.  With our Massachusetts experience as a baseline, the Foundation will extend its influence and grant making beyond the Commonwealth to mobilize key stakeholders, institutions, and community leaders who understand the issues, and embrace similar objectives. 

The framework for the Foundation’s national program is the U.S. Surgeon General’s Call to Action on Oral Health.  Our philanthropic strength will be applied to the oral health crisis through a commitment to improved access to oral health and funding to organizations and systems that provide preventive care to underserved populations.  This goal is achieved by funding programs that advance the following strategies:

• Change perceptions of oral health
• Replicate effective programs and proven efforts
• Increase collaborations

The Foundation has made significant changes in its philanthropic strategies. Grant making now supports more statewide entities that have influence on multiple partners. A gradual shift has been made from addressing one problem area at a time to tackling multiple areas with similar challenges by enhancing a more systemic approach to oral health.