Tom's of Maine to Award Five $20K Grants to Non-Profit Dental Clinics

From the press release:

Every day, thousands of families go without basic dental care - not even able to afford an annual cleaning. This difficult reality is especially urgent in states with the highest percentage of their population living under the poverty level such as Alabama, Kentucky, New Mexico, Mississippi and Washington D.C., according to U.S. Census bureau statistics*. This year, Tom’s of Maine is directing its Dental Health for All program to help families in these areas and inviting non-profit clinics serving these four states and Washington D.C. to apply for a portion of $100,000 in funding.

Dental Health for All celebrates the goodness non-profit clinics bring to their communities by sharing their expertise and working to alleviate the stress and health concerns of people in need. This year the program plans to award one clinic from each of the four states and Washington D.C. with $20,000 in funding to grow and expand the reach of their services. Organizations that provide free or low-cost dental care can learn more about this year’s program and apply at tomsofmaine.com/dentalhealthforall.

“Many clinics simply need additional resources to keep up with demand, especially during this struggling economy when people are faced with losing or forgoing health benefits,” said Susan Dewhirst, goodness programs manager at Tom’s of Maine. “We often hear that dental care is among the first benefits to go yet it is vital to maintaining overall health. We encourage clinics in the designated states to apply for the funding and we hope people will alert local clinics of this opportunity.”

Tom’s of Maine has a decades-long commitment to supporting local non-profit clinics that provide greater access to quality, affordable oral care.  To date, Dental Health for All has helped make 200,000 additional patient visits possible with $1 million in funding to more than 30 school and community-based dental clinics nationwide.

Applications for this year’s program must be received by March 15, 2012. Recipients will be announced in early April. Dental clinics in Alabama, Kentucky, New Mexico, Mississippi and Washington D.C. that are registered 501(c)3 non-profit organizations in good standing are eligible to apply.

Applications can be made here.

A great charity and thanks to Tom's of Maine for giving back....