Wisconsin's Seal-A-Smile program will receive more than $1.3 million in public and private funds to help provide preventive dental services for children.
The DHS will receive $275,000 each year for the next three years from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to support the Seal-A-Smile program. In addition to the HRSA funds, Delta Dental of Wisconsin will be donating $240,000 per year for the next two years. This totals $1.3 million in new grants for the Seal-A-Smile program.
The funds will be distributed to community-based programs that offer sealant programs by using a competitive process. A Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued earlier in the month and applications are due October 31. Funds will be awarded to those programs that target children at highest risk for tooth decay. Funds will also be available for community-based oral health programs.
The RFP process will be complete by the end of the year and funds will be available to local programs in early 2010, according to the DHS.
"Too many children are going without the basic dental care they need, which is crucial to their overall health and success," said Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Secretary Karen Timberlake in a news release. "If a child's tooth hurts, she may not be able to eat, or he may not be able to concentrate in school. Parents and children tell us these types of stories from across our state, and these funds will truly help make a difference."
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