The Delta Dental Community Care Foundation has opened a request for proposals (RFP) for its Senior Oral Health Partnership Program for 2025, aimed at addressing oral health disparities among older adults in select Southern states. This initiative will provide up to $5 million in grant funding over five years, encouraging collaborations among organizations in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia. These partnerships are expected to work on systemic solutions to improve access to oral health care for seniors, particularly those in underserved communities.

The primary objective of the program is to enhance oral health care for seniors, a population that faces significant barriers to receiving consistent and quality care. Seniors, particularly those in low-income or minority communities, often lack dental insurance or prioritize other health needs over oral care, leading to serious issues such as gum disease, tooth loss, and overall declines in health. The program aims to close these gaps by fostering collaborations between organizations that can collectively address both direct care and the systemic factors contributing to poor oral health outcomes.

Organizations eligible to apply must form a partnership of at least three entities, with one partner providing direct oral health care services to seniors. Additional partners may include senior service providers, advocacy groups, or government agencies. These partners are expected to complement one another’s expertise and resources to maximize the impact of the initiative. The selected collaboration will engage with vulnerable senior communities, particularly those facing compounded challenges related to race, ethnicity, or economic status. Successful applicants will demonstrate established relationships and trust within these communities, positioning them to effectively address the unique oral health challenges faced by seniors.

Proposals are due by November 1, 2024, and should be submitted as a single application by all partners involved. The application must outline the partnership’s collective strategy, specific interventions, and plans for measuring success over the five-year period. Successful partnerships will focus on community-specific needs, provide evidence-based strategies, and commit to engaging their target populations in decision-making and program evaluation. The Delta Dental Foundation will work with selected partnerships on data collection and evaluation throughout the program, aiming to develop a replicable model that can be adapted by other communities facing similar issues.

After submission, the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation will review proposals and notify the selected partnership by January 5, 2025. The selected group will participate in a strategic planning summit in March 2025, where they will work with Delta Dental to finalize their strategy, work plan, and budget. The program is intended to foster deep collaboration, with ongoing support for project management and data assessment to ensure measurable progress.

This grant opportunity is specifically for nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, though government agencies and other eligible partners may be involved. Religious or political groups can participate only if they focus on community outreach. The initiative emphasizes collaboration and equitable distribution of resources, with the ultimate goal of transforming senior oral health outcomes across the targeted states.