Grant Helps Organization Provide Dental Care to Washingtonians

The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America, New York, has awarded a $125,000 grant to the nonprofit organization Dental Lifeline Network (DLN) to address the many patients currently waiting to receive dental care in the state of Washington. The funds will allow DLN to increase staffing hours to reduce wait times for patients.

Through its flagship Donated Dental Services program, DLN provides comprehensive dental care to residents across the country. Under the grant, DLN—an affiliate of the American Dental Association that is dedicated to providing access to dental care for people who cannot afford it—will recruit and hire volunteer oral health professionals committed to treating disabled, elderly, or medically fragile patients.

This grant will also allow DLN to explore expanding its services over the course of 2 years to residents outside of the King County area, according to Chris Swanker, CEO of Avēsis, a Guardian Company that is dedicated to improving access to quality dental care. Earlier this year, Guardian announced its support for the Children’s Health Fund with a $1 million contribution to help provide dental care to underserved individuals with limited access or ability to pay.

“We partner with organizations like Dental Lifeline to help underserved and vulnerable populations. In this case, we are reaching individuals who are elderly, medically fragile, or have a disability,” says Swanker. “Many suffer from painful dental diseases that make eating and communicating difficult.”

The company anticipates the grant to net $1 million in patient care over the next 2 years (for every $1 donated to DLN, $8.87 is provided in care).

Dental hygienists can encourage their offices to become Lifeline Heroes for DLN by collecting donations from patients, family members, and friends. Dental hygienists and the entire dental team can volunteer once their dentist signs up as a volunteer for DLN’s volunteer “Will You See One?” campaign.