For Immediate Release s408

For Immediate Release

Contact: Debbie Oswalt Executive Director Virginia Health Care Foundation (804) 828-5804

Virginia Health Care Foundation Receives $1 Million Challenge Grant to Expand Dental Safety Net

RICHMOND, VA – January 7, 2013 – The Virginia Health Care Foundation (VHCF) has been awarded a $1 million challenge grant from the Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation (DDVF) to expand and enhance oral health services for uninsured and underserved Virginians. VHCF will raise an additional $1 million in matching funds from private sources, and devote the entire $2 million to significantly increase access to oral health services across the Commonwealth over the next three years. “Access to oral health care for uninsured, low-income Virginians is a serious problem: half of all Virginians have no dental insurance coverage, and seeing a dentist is a luxury many simply can’t afford,” said Deborah Oswalt, VHCF’s Executive Director. “Compounding the economic issue, more than half of Virginia localities have no dental safety net clinic. We are thrilled to partner with the Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation in this important endeavor.” In addition to the challenge grant, DDVF also awarded VHCF a $45,000 operating grant to support the salary and benefits of a Dental Opportunities Champion, integral to the research and development of new oral health opportunities that assist Virginia’s dental safety net organizations (e.g. free clinics, community health centers).

-more- About the Virginia Health Care Foundation The Virginia Health Care Foundation is a non-profit public/private partnership whose mission is to increase access to primary health care for uninsured and medically underserved Virginians. The Foundation was initiated by the General Assembly and its Joint Commission on Health Care in 1992. Since its inception, it has funded 335 community-based projects across the Commonwealth, and its programs and partnerships have touched the lives of more than 600,000 uninsured Virginians. For more information about VHCF and its programs, visit www.vhcf.org or call (804) 828-5804.

About Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation was founded by Delta Dental of Virginia to help improve the oral health and, subsequently, overall body health of the people of the Commonwealth. The Foundation focuses its support on initiatives that improve oral health with sustainable solutions through improved access to oral care, oral health education or oral health research. For more information, visit deltadentalva.com/ddvafoundation.aspx.