Northeast Delta Dental Foundation Shows Continued Support of Families First

The Northeast Delta Dental Foundation recently awarded an $8,000 grant to support three dental programs at Families First Health and Support Center: on-site dental care, the school-based program known as Seacoast Healthy Grins, and mobile dental care for people experiencing homelessness, according to a press statement.

The foundation has donated to Families First Dental Center annually since the center’s founding in 2003.

Walter Wakefield, a patient at Families First Dental Center, said last month, “I have had the wonderful privilege of coming here for a year now for dental work (extensive), as well as various other age and weight-related maladies. Everyone I come in contact with shows only compassion, empathy, friendliness and a true desire to help correct. I imagine what American civilization would be like, even for the world, if facilities such as this existed commonly. Truly, Seacoast NH and I are blessed and privileged.”

Last year, Families First provided on-site dental care to 1,850 children and adults; screened and educated 1,300 schoolchildren, also providing hygiene and sealants for those who lacked a regular dentist; and served 267 homeless patients through weekly visits to Cross Roads House and St. Vincent de Paul in Exeter.

“Oral health is an important component of overall health, and health centers like Families First take a whole-body approach to patient care which is extremely beneficial,” said Kathleen Walker, treasurer of the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation.

The Northeast Delta Dental Foundation provides funding to many oral health programs in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont as part of the company’s commitment to make oral health information and dental care more accessible. Northeast Delta Dental offers dental insurance programs to small and large companies and individuals and families with no access to employer-sponsored dental benefits programs.

Families First Dental Center is open to all children or teens living in Seacoast New Hampshire or Southern Maine, seniors living in towns near Portsmouth, as well as to adults who are established patients of Families First Health Center. Families First also provides general medical care for people of all ages, prenatal care and parenting and family programs.

More information is available at 603-422-8208 and FamiliesFirstSeacoast.org.