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ForsythKids expands dental care outreach through partnership with Delta Dental of Massachusetts
ForsythKids, a mobile dental program bringing care to underserved communities, will expand its school-based program in Canton alongside Delta Dental of Massachusetts, the leading dental benefits administrator in the state.
CANTON, MA — ForsythKids has been providing preventive dental care to children in the Canton Public Schools for four years and was already scheduled to deliver care to students on October 21 and 22. Thanks to $18,000 in funding from Delta Dental of Massachusetts, ForsythKids can expand its services to reach more children during the 2024–25 school year.
Care provided by ForsythKids includes dental examinations, cleanings, sealants, and fluoride varnish. Each student also receives toothpaste, toothbrushes, oral hygiene instruction, and referrals to community dentists when needed. ForsythKids visits school sites and sets up mobile pediatric dentistry clinics, removing barriers to access for families.
ForsythKids is led by the nonprofit ADA Forsyth Institute, a global leader in innovative oral health research with a mission to promote oral health education and expand access to care through community-based programs.
“We are grateful for Delta Dental of Massachusetts’ generous contribution and commitment to improving oral health in underserved communities. We look forward to continuing to provide care and education in Canton and encourage parents to join us in learning more about oral health and how we can support families’ access to impactful health care.”
— Megan Pugach-Gordon, Director of ForsythKids
Canton is home to a diverse community, including many recently migrated families who may not have previously accessed dental care. ForsythKids works directly with children and parents to increase education about oral health while addressing critical unmet needs. During the 2023–24 school year, ForsythKids treated approximately 2,600 children.
Thanks to support such as Delta Dental of Massachusetts’ funding, ForsythKids is able to provide free dental care to families without insurance coverage, helping ensure equitable access to preventive services.
Delta Dental of Massachusetts seeks to power effective dental care for underserved communities and support direct dental services that improve overall health outcomes across the Commonwealth.
“Oral health is directly linked to overall health and wellbeing, and we know that access to preventive dental care is critical from a young age. ForsythKids’ mobile, school-based dental program provides an important access point for children and families, and Delta Dental is proud to support the expansion of this initiative in the Canton community.”
— Erik Montlack, President, Delta Dental of Massachusetts
Tooth decay—the most common childhood disease in the United States—results in more than 51 million lost school hours each year. Untreated dental disease can cause pain, difficulty eating and speaking, reduced classroom attention, low self-esteem, and long-term health consequences.
Among a cohort of 7,000 children examined in a 2021 study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, the percentage of children with untreated cavities decreased from 39% to 19% after receiving care through ForsythKids.
