The Oak Park River Forest Infant Welfare Society has received a $20,000 grant that will go toward delivering oral health services to underserved children.
The grant, from Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation, was presented on Jan. 8 in Oak Park. The Infant Welfare Society is a nonprofit organization based in Oak Park that offers pediatric medical, dental and behavioral health care to underserved youth ages 0 to 21.
According to a Delta Dental news release, the Infant Welfare Society estimates it can serve more than 4,000 children with this grant, allowing them access to “equitable oral health, education, prevention, and treatment.”
Those dental services include examinations, cleanings, fluoride, fillings, crowns and extractions. The organization also provides in-school programs to increase access to those services.
In 2024, Delta Dental awarded more than $260,000 to 19 nonprofit and community organizations, according to the release. Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation’s Community Grants Program has an emphasis on improving health and wellness of Illinois residents, especially children.
