Horizon Foundation grant

The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey has awarded a $50,000 grant to Dental Lifeline Network-New Jersey to help up to 440 vulnerable people receive $1.285 million worth of needed dental care in the year ahead.

The grant is a continuation of the partnership that began in 2007 between the two organizations.

Funds from the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey support the 706 dentists and 169 laboratories that volunteer for Donated Dental Services, a program of Dental Lifeline Network-New Jersey. Volunteers donate comprehensive treatment to people with disabilities or who are elderly or medically fragile. Each dollar of the grant generates $9.39 in donated care.

“The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey’s continued support is critically important to the delivery of care through our generous DDS volunteers to patients in severe need of dental therapies,” said Dr. Sidney Whitman, president of Dental Lifeline Network-New Jersey.

“These funds support patient screening, coordination, and the scheduling of dentists, specialists and laboratories, so that dentists can focus on providing patient care in their offices on their own schedule. We are extremely grateful to the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey for its support.”

The New Jersey DDS program has provided more than $11.6 million in donated services to 5,066 patients since it began in 1988. It is part of a national network that has generated more than $200 million in services to 106,000 patients through DDS since 1986.

Dental HouseCalls program receives award for mobile services

The DDS program is a safety net for people who suffer daily from severe dental disease, often with negative impact on their general health, and have no access or financial means to afford dental care. With the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey’s grant, the DDS program will be able to provide services for more of the individuals on its waiting list.

In addition to DDS, Dental Lifeline Network-New Jersey annually helps more than 8,000 patients with developmental disabilities through its Bridge/Campaign of Concern and portable treatment programs. Many of these people have special needs that are met through this initiative.

Dentists and laboratories can volunteer for DDS by contacting Program Coordinator Shanda Bell at [email protected] or by calling (732) 296-6717. It also is possible to volunteer, make a donation, or learn more about Dental Lifeline Network by visiting www.DentalLifeline.org.

The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, established by Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey in 2004, promotes health, well-being, and quality of life in New Jersey communities. Priority areas include health and the arts.

To comment on this topic, go to community.pennwelldentalgroup.com/.