Portsmouth NH and Somersworth NH – The Northeast Delta Dental Foundation recently awarded $10,000 to support dental services at Families First Health & Support Center in Portsmouth and Goodwin Community Health in Somersworth. The grant continues the Foundation’s record of almost two decades of support for access to dental care for low-income patients at these practices.

Both dental centers provide preventive, restorative and emergency dental care within a community health center setting, where patients also have access to medical and behavioral health care and family services. Patients who don’t have dental insurance may apply for a sliding-fee discount. In 2021, the dental centers at Families First and Goodwin served 3,774 people. In addition, hygienists from Goodwin and Families First visit schools, providing oral health education, screenings and cleanings.

“There is currently a high demand for charitable dental care as well as a national shortage of dental staff that is affecting access to care,” said Janet Laatsch, CEO of Greater Seacoast Community Health, which operates both dental centers. “We are grateful for the Foundation’s support as it makes a big difference in our goals for both patient access and staff recruitment.”

“Our Foundation’s mission it to increase access to oral health care and elevate awareness of the strong connection between oral health and overall health and wellness,” explained Jennifer McGrath, Manager of Foundation & Marketing Initiatives at Northeast Delta Dental. “We are grateful to Greater Seacoast Community Health for helping us to carry out this mission.”

Greater Seacoast Community Health is a network of community health centers providing primary care, pediatrics, dental care, prenatal care, behavioral health counseling, substance use disorder treatment, mobile health services, WIC, social work services, a pharmacy, parenting classes, playgroups and home visiting. The network also includes the Strafford County Public Health Network and SOS Recovery Community Organization. Services are open to everyone and aim to be respectful, recovery-friendly, LGBTQ-affirming and trauma-informed. For more information, visit GetCommunityHealth.org. 

Since 1995, the philanthropic arm of Northeast Delta Dental, the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation, has supported organizations and initiatives in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont that provide oral health education and dental care to uninsured and underserved people. The mission of the Foundation is to advance the importance of good oral health and its role in overall wellness, underscoring the belief that everyone deserves a healthy smile. In 2021, the Foundation donated more than $470,000 for oral health programs throughout the tri-state area.