Delta Dental of Iowa and the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation in 2022 provided $3.9 million to 279 organizations to address oral and overall health needs, the groups announced. The past year marked 20 years of giving for the not-for-profit insurance company and its foundation, which over that time provided $62 million toward improving the health and well-being of Iowans.

“We believe everyone deserves to be healthy, but not everyone has access to the resources they need,” Jeff Russell, Delta Dental of Iowa’s CEO and president, said in a news release. “Reflecting on the progress made over the past two decades is humbling, yet we know there is much further to go. So, we will continue to partner with like-minded organizations and invest in opportunities that strengthen and transform the health and smiles of all Iowans.”

Highlights of projects and grant programs in 2022 include:

• Awarding one FIND (Fulfilling Iowa’s Need for Dentists) Loan Repayment recipient in Clinton, Iowa.
• Providing $1.9 million in System and Capacity Building Grants, including $1.35 million for the expansion of Crescent Community Health Center in Dubuque and $150,000 to support the creation of a behavioral health urgent care clinic by Center Associates in Marshalltown.
• Providing more than $675,000 in Community of Health grants to 26 organizations working to encourage new learnings, strengthen nonprofit operations, or initiate larger oral or overall health projects.

Delta Dental of Iowa serves 1.6 million members and more than 4,500 Iowa employers to provide dental, vision and legal insurance benefits for their employees.

To read Delta Dental of Iowa’s annual report, click here.