According to Delta Dental, one in four adults with low incomes in Missouri say their mouth and teeth are in poor condition and 14.6% of children ages 1 to 17 statewide struggle with one or more oral health problems such as toothaches, bleeding gums, decayed teeth or cavities.

To help combat this, Delta Dental of Missouri has awarded oral health grants to 11 organizations that align with its mission to improve oral health with three recipients providing support to Clay Countians. Care Beyond the Boulevard received $50,000, $25,000 went to Seton Center and $10,000 to LevelUp Kids.

Care Beyond the Boulevard staff plan to purchase dental supplies and equipment to increase the overall capacity of its free dental program for homeless, uninsured or otherwise vulnerable individuals. The organization serves people in Jackson, Clay, Cass and Platte counties.

Seton Center will use the funds to support staff salaries, purchase supplies and provide charitable care for its dental clinic serving residents with low incomes in Jackson, Clay and Ray counties.

LevelUp Kids provides preventive and restorative dental care at no cost to school-aged children from families with low incomes who attend public schools in Jackson, Clay and Platte counties.

Delta Dental of Missouri awards grants annually for general operations, programs, projects and capacity-building efforts promoting the oral health of individuals in Missouri.

To learn more, visit deltadentalmo.com.