Grants
The Minnesota Dental Foundation (MDF) offers financial support for outreach programs that meet the mission of the Foundation by providing dental services to underserved populations, promoting dental health education initiatives, or supporting dental profession career and volunteer opportunities. The focus is on providing resources that will make lasting improvements in the oral health of Minnesotans and enhance the dental profession in the state.
Each year the MDF Board of Directors reviews applications for grants that fit these criteria. Support for programs and oral health initiatives may change each year based on issues facing the dental profession, but the core principles of benefiting the public and dental profession remain constant. Since 2002 the Foundation has awarded over $204,000 in grants to fund a variety of oral health projects, including community clinics, mobile dental projects, and dental education programs. If you would like to submit an application for a grant, please complete the grant application form.
2011 Recipients
In 2011, 37 grants were awarded, including community clinics, allied dental education programs, and other community health initiatives. All of these programs help increase access to care for underserved populations or help to build a sustainable oral health workforce in Minnesota.
Dental Services for Underserved Populations
The following community clinics and outreach programs received grants in 2011 to support their efforts to provide dental services to underserved populations that could not otherwise afford proper dental care.
Give Kids a Smile: The following clinics participate in the two-day charitable dentistry program that provides free preventive and restorative dental care to nearly 6,000 low-income children each year. Grant monies help defray the costs for dental supplies and oral health education materials for participating children.
Apple Tree Dental - Twin Cities
Apple Tree Dental - Fergus Falls
ASDA - University of Minnesota
Dakota County Technical College
Lake Superior College
Minneapolis District Dental Society/Sharing & Caring Hands
Minnesota State University - Mankato
Neighborhood Involvement Program
Southside Community Health Services
Salvation Army Good Samaritan Dental Clinic
Community Outreach: A number of community-based clinics and outreach programs provide critical dental services to children and adults who would not otherwise have access to oral health care due to inability to pay.
Left: Dental Clinic at Project Homeless Connect.
Greater Minneapolis Crisis Nursery
MDA Children’s Health Committee - Head Start
Red River Valley Dental Access Project
Ronald McDonald House Charities
St. Joseph’s Community Dental Clinic
Allied Dental Education Programs
The following allied dental education programs in Minnesota received grants in 2011 to help them purchase equipment and other resources necessary to remain strong and viable.