The Smiles Across New Mexico small grant program, provided by Delta Dental of New Mexico, aims to fund dental education initiatives and programs that promote the oral health of underserved children and individuals in at-risk populations throughout New Mexico. This aligns with the foundation's mission to reduce oral disease through education, prevention, and treatment, ensure access to affordable and high-quality dental care, and enhance awareness of good oral health, particularly for those in need.
The target beneficiaries of this program are underserved children and individuals in at-risk populations across all counties in New Mexico. The program's impact goals include making a measurable difference in the oral health of New Mexicans and helping the state achieve high indicators of oral health. This is achieved by focusing on programs that promote and improve oral health, especially those with an oral health education component.
The program prioritizes initiatives that reduce oral disease, ensure access to dental care, and enhance oral health awareness. Grant applications are evaluated on their merits, with particular interest in programs serving underserved or at-risk populations. The program also considers the organization's engagement, constituencies served, services offered, accountability, fundraising practices, and community support. Grants are generally not provided for building construction or normal overhead expenses, with primary consideration given to supporting meritorious programs for which other funding sources are unavailable.
Expected outcomes include a reduction in oral disease, improved access to dental care, and increased awareness of good oral health among target populations. The program's theory of change appears to be that by funding targeted educational and preventative programs, and by increasing access to care, the overall oral health of New Mexicans, especially vulnerable populations, will significantly improve. Grant recipients are required to provide a report detailing the use and impact of the grant monies, which serves as a measurable result of the program's effectiveness and is necessary for reapplication in future years. The grants are limited to $2,500 or $5,000 per grant, ensuring focused application of funds.
