I-Smile™ Silver Project Receives $375,950 Commitment From Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation

Posted on September 30, 2022 in Foundation

The Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation approved a $375,950, two-year commitment to the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services to continue funding the I-Smile Silver^™ pilot project designed to promote optimal oral health for adults and older Iowans.

First funded in 2014 by the Foundation, I-Smile™ Silver currently covers 10 Iowa counties; Calhoun, Des Moines, Hamilton, Humboldt, Lee, Pocahontas, Scott, Van Buren, Webster, and Wright. Inspired by Iowa’s I-Smile™ program that connects Iowa children with dental, medical, and community resources to ensure better health, I-Smile™ Silver connects at-risk adults and aging Iowans with dental, medical and community resources.

I-Smile™ Silver is funded by Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). Supported by the Lifelong Smiles Coalition, the program contracts with Lee, Scott and Webster County Health Departments to operate locally. The three health departments each have a dental hygienist serving as an I-Smile™ Silver Coordinator to work with community partners to improve access and address oral health care concerns for adults across Iowa.

“For many years, the Foundation has focused our energy and financial commitment on the oral and overall health connection of Iowa’s aging population,” said Suzanne Heckenlaible, executive director of the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation. “As I-Smile™ Silver evolves, we will continue to see the impact of innovation in their work. Examples of this include colocating public health hygienists within primary care medical offices and working with emergency departments using telehealth technology to expand reach and service to Iowans.”

Since the launch of I-Smile™ Silver in 2014, the data collected by the program has fueled effective strategy changes to reduce disparities in care and identify resources. Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation has committed $1.85 million to support I-Smile™ Silver since inception. For more information, visit https://ismile.idph.iowa.gov/about-ismile/silver  or DeltaDentalofIowa/foundation.com.