Delta Dental of Missouri has awarded a $12,000 grant to Dental Lifeline Network of Jefferson City to assist individuals struggling to afford oral care.

The grant will be used to provide free comprehensive treatments for those who lack adequate income for dental care and a have a permanent disability, are age 65 or older, or qualify as medically fragile, Delta said in a news release Wednesday.

“Many of our neighbors face challenges in getting dental care,” said Rob Goren, president and chief executive officer at Delta Dental of Missouri. “By donating to organizations that align with our mission to improve oral health, we’re able to help individuals get dental treatment and services to enhance their overall health and quality of life.”

Dental Lifeline Network is a nonprofit based in Colorado and is comprised of volunteer dentists and labs who work in all 50 states and Washington. In Missouri, it currently serves patients in 23 counties, including Cole County, according to their website.

Each applicant is reviewed individually according to their financial status to determine whether they qualify for dental care.

Delta’s funding completes the second cycle of annual mission giving efforts, where it provided a total of $730,931 to 22 organizations in Missouri and in South Carolina, where it also does business.

Along with cycle one, which awarded $481,327 in grants to 16 organizations earlier this year, Delta Dental of Missouri has given more than $1.2 million in oral health grants in 2022.

To apply for dental care in Missouri, visit www.dentallifeline.org/missouri.