COVID-19

Supporting Smiles Across Virginia

At Delta Dental of Virginia, we believe everyone deserves a healthy smile, especially in times like these. The Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation has made a statewide contribution of $1M to support Virginians impacted by COVID-19. Learn more about what we're doing to support smiles across Virginia below.

Supporting safety net clinics and non-profits

Now it's more important than ever that we support our safety net organizations who are focused on the oral health and wellbeing of our communities. See what we're doing to benefit Virginia safety net clinics and other non-profits.

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Supporting our dental community

Like most economic sectors, the dental profession, particularly small private practices, has been severely impacted by COVID-19. As a result of postponements of elective dental treatment and non-urgent procedures, more than 78% of the state's dental practices were forced to close to all but emergency patients for an extended period of time.

To help support our dental community, the Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation launched two programs: the Dental Practice Relief Fund and our #SmilesArentCanceled initiative to support dental hygienists.

Dental Practice Relief Fund

The Dental Practice Relief Fund (PRF) was created to provide financial support for our network dentists who were struggling as a result of the COVID-19 crisis, and did not qualify for financial assistance through government and other programs. We asked dental practices that were in a strong financial position or had other means of supporting their practice that they not apply for the PRF so that we could provide funds to those practices with the most acute need.

The Dental Practice Relief Fund:

Was created to assist the dental practices in Virginia that were significantly affeted by the COVID-19 outbreak and did not have a sufficiently strong financial position to reasonably sustain the practice through the recommended closure.

Provided $280,000 in grants to Delta Dental of Virginia participating dental practices, with individual grants ranging in size up to maximum of $7,500.

Awarded funds to those in greatest need based on factors that contributed to financial hardship and were located in lower health equity areas, while providing assistance to as many practices as possible.

We recognize that the impact of COVID-19 has been felt by all practices across the state. Dentists may visit the Virginia Dental Association website for information on available federal aid.

Smiles aren't canceled

As a result of temporary dental office closures, two-thirds of practices in Virginia were forced to reduce staff salaries – including those of hygienists. As part of our support for the dental community, Delta Dental of Virginia launched a campaign to bring smiles and recognition to dental hygienists, reminding people that #SmilesArentCanceled.

The campaign encourages nominations of Virginia dental hygienists by posting a comment on the Delta Dental of Virginia Facebook page. One winner is randomly selected daily to receive a $50 Amazon gift card and one $500 Amazon gift card grand prize winner is selected each week.

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