Missouri Oral Health Grant Program Delta Dental 2026

Dental grants for low-income adults in Missouri: Oral health is an important part of overall health and well-being. However, many people face barriers to accessing dental care, such as a lack of dental insurance, high out-of-pocket costs, and shortages of dentists in rural areas.

To help address these access issues, Delta Dental of Missouri offers an annual Oral Health Grant Program that provides funding to organizations for programs, events, and initiatives that improve oral health in the state.

This article provides an overview of the Delta Dental of Missouri Oral Health Grant Program, including eligibility and application requirements, focus areas, funding amounts, evaluation criteria, and tips for creating a competitive proposal. We’ll also address some frequently asked questions about the program.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only. For guidance on official grant program rules and processes, visit the Delta Dental of Missouri website or contact them directly.

Overview of the Delta Dental Oral Health Grant Program

The Delta Dental of Missouri Foundation established the Oral Health Grant Program in 2009 with the mission to support efforts and organizations in Missouri that promote good oral health.

Some key facts about the grant program:

• Grant amounts: Up to $30,000 per organization
• Eligibility:501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, government entities, and tribal organizations in Missouri

Through this competitive grant program, Delta Dental aims to fund innovative and impactful oral health projects across Missouri.

Grant Program Focus Areas

The Delta Dental Oral Health Grant Program focuses funding on four key areas:

Access to Care

Grants in this area focus on increasing access to dental care for underserved populations. This includes supporting free or low-cost dental clinics, mobile dental programs, dental care at safety net clinics, programs that recruit dentist volunteers, and workforce training programs.

Oral Health Education

Grants for oral health education aim to teach people of all ages about the importance of good oral hygiene and dental care. Funded programs may provide classroom education, workshops, social media campaigns, and other creative approaches to share oral health knowledge.

Oral Health Promotion

These grants support efforts to promote good oral health practices. Examples include implementing healthy school lunch policies, installing water bottle fillers, distributing oral health kits, and launching public awareness campaigns.

Research

Research grants fund studies that contribute to the knowledge and evidence base around oral health needs and effective interventions.

Eligibility Requirements

Organizations that meet the following criteria are eligible to apply for a Delta Dental of Missouri Oral Health Grant:

• Located in Missouri
• Recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, government entity, or tribal organization
• The mission is aligned with improving oral health

In addition, preference is given to organizations that:

• Serve uninsured and underserved populations
• Increase diversity and equity in oral healthcare
• Demonstrate collaboration and community support
• Measure outcomes and results

Individuals and for-profit entities are not eligible for grant funding.

Funding Amounts

The Delta Dental Oral Health Grants provide funding up to $30,000 per organization. Most grants will range from $5,000 to $20,000.

Organizations can submit one grant application per calendar year.

Funding can cover direct program costs, administrative expenses, supplies and materials, and other legitimate costs. The grant cannot be used to substitute existing funding sources.

The Grant Review and Evaluation Process

The Delta Dental of Missouri Oral Health Grant Program is highly competitive. Applications are evaluated through a multi-step review process.

Eligibility Screening

All applications are first screened to confirm eligibility – organizations must be Missouri-based nonprofits, public entities, or tribes. Any ineligible applicants will be disqualified.

Proposal Scoring

The grant review committee scores each proposal using a formal evaluation rubric. Scoring criteria include:

• How well the proposal aligns with Delta Dental’s focus areas
• Strength of the program approach and activities
• Ability to achieve measurable outcomes
• Organizational capacity and expertise
• Budget and ability to secure matching funds
• Potential for long-term, sustainable impact

Grant Committee Review

After scoring, the top-ranking proposals will be discussed by the grant committee. They will consider which applications to recommend for approval based on factors like geographic diversity, populations served, innovation, and available budget.

Board Approval

The final grant recipients are approved by the Delta Dental Board of Directors each June. All applicants will be notified after board approval.

Tips for Writing Strong Dental Implant Grants in Missouri Proposal

Follow these tips when drafting your Delta Dental of Missouri Oral Health Grant application:

• Align with focus areas– Clearly state how your program fits within one or more of the four funding priority areas.
• Highlight significance– Include local data and make a compelling case for why your program is needed.
• Establish measurable goals– Set clear objectives and quantify the outcomes you aim to achieve.
• Describe activities– Explain the key initiatives, services, and resources your program will deliver.
• Identify partners– Show who you will collaborate with and how you will leverage partnerships.
• Share evaluation plan– Outline how you will track progress and measure results.
• Show sustainability potential– Discuss how the program could continue after grant funding ends.
• Demonstrate expertise– Highlight your experience and capacity to successfully manage the project.
• Include a reasonable budget– Make sure budget expenses align with the project plan.
• Obtain matching funds– Securing 1:1 matching funds will make your proposal more competitive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to some common questions about the Delta Dental of Missouri Oral Health Grant Program:

Q. Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, government entities, and tribal organizations located in Missouri. Individuals and for-profit businesses cannot apply.

Q. What kinds of programs and expenses does the grant fund?

Funded programs must align with one of Delta Dental’s focus areas. The grant covers direct program costs like supplies, staffing, training, and more. General operating support is not provided.

Q. What are the grant requirements?

Grantees must sign a terms and conditions agreement. Reporting requirements include a mid-year status update and a year-end impact report. Matching funds at a 1:1 ratio are encouraged but not required.

Q. How often can an organization apply?

You may submit one proposal per calendar year. New applicants are encouraged, even if prior proposals were declined.

Q. How are proposals evaluated?

Applications are scored based on criteria like alignment with focus areas, strength of approach, measurable outcomes, expertise, budget, and potential sustainability.

Q. Who can I contact with additional questions?

Contact Delta Dental at grantinfo@deltadentalmo.org or 573-635-3471 with any questions about the grant program or application process.

Conclusion

The Delta Dental of Missouri Oral Health Grant Program provides essential funding for programs and organizations that provide access to dental care, promote oral health education, deliver preventive services, and conduct research.

The competitive grant process awards up to $30,000 to 501(c)(3) nonprofits, government entities, and tribes pursuing innovative approaches to improve oral health in Missouri.

To apply for funding, familiarize yourself with Delta Dental’s focus areas and tips for creating a strong proposal. Applications open in January 2026, so start preparing now to submit a competitive grant request. Partnering with Delta Dental can significantly expand your capacity to advance oral health equity and access in local communities across Missouri.