Just Kids Dental and Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation Donate Oral Health Backpacks to Elementary Students
Cloquet, Minn (January 25, 2023) – Today Just Kids Dental and Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation worked to put a smile on every kid’s face at Churchill Elementary School in Cloquet, by giving away backpacks filled with the right tools to build strong lifelong oral health habits, as well as offering on-site preventive dental services.
“Just Kids Dental is truly grateful for the strong partnership of the Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation and their generosity in helping support Just Kids Dental's efforts to increase rural access to preventive dental services, oral health education, and basic toothbrushing supplies for our region’s low-income uninsured and underinsured children and families,” said Laura Borud, Executive Director, Just Kids Dental.
Just Kids Dental and Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation gave away 400 oral health backpacks each containing a toothbrush, fluoridated toothpaste, an age-appropriate oral health educational booklet, and more to students in preschool through fifth grade at Churchill Elementary. With the help of a grant from Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation, some students also received on-site preventative dental services from Just Kids Dental. Providing dental sealants and other preventive services in schools effectively reduces children’s dental decay and removes barriers of time, cost, and transportation to reach families with limited resources.
Just Kids Dental is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing rural access to dental services and education for low-income uninsured and underinsured children and families. The school was chosen because it is located within Carlton County, a federally designated geographic dental Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), indicating there are not enough dentists accessible to the community, especially among lower-income residents.
“We are thrilled to partner with Just Kids Dental to help hundreds of school children access essential tools for good oral health,” said Stephanie Albert, President, Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation. “Beginning good oral health at a young age is critical to a healthier life and better health outcomes.”
About Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation
Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation supports optimal oral and overall health outcomes while advancing social equities by expanding access to dental care and investing in the communities across Minnesota.
About Just Kids Dental
Founded in 2006, Just Kids Dental partners with 100 rural school and community sites throughout Lake, St. Louis and Carlton Counties, MN, and Douglas County, WI, to increase the number of low-income uninsured and underinsured children receiving preventive dental services for improved oral and overall health. Just Kids Dental provides 100% of care at no charge to families and strives to remove access to care barriers low-income uninsured and underinsured children face, while also making each encounter a positive experience, so that children leave each dental visit with a bright smile.