Delta Dental of Missouri awards $50,000 grant to HNC Living Foundation to help provide life-changing dental care for head and neck cancer patients
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. Aug. 14, 2020 – Delta Dental of Missouri, the state’s leader in dental benefits, is making a difference in the lives of thousands of Missourians impacted by head and neck cancers through a $50,000 grant to HNC Living Foundation (HNC Living).
HNC Living, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of head and neck cancer patients through financial assistance for critical services, will use the Delta Dental grant to support patients with dental care related to their cancer diagnosis.
Each year, more than 65,000 people in the United States will experience head and neck cancer for the first time. Most head and neck cancer patients start their journey with dental care. Treatment involves radiation which impacts a patient’s ability to talk, eat, chew and other daily functions related to oral health.
“The dental issues caused by head and neck cancers are often not covered by insurance, yet the problems can be among the most psychologically severe for patients whose appearances can undergo drastic changes from the disease,” Danielle Yearout, Chief Operating Officer of HNC Living said. “Delta Dental is an invaluable partner and through the generosity of the grant, we can continue supporting our patients. This is especially important amidst the pandemic which has caused so much financial hardship.”
Given the many effects of the pandemic on organizations and individuals over the past several months, HNC Living Foundation has seen a tremendous increase in the need for its services and resources. The grant from Delta Dental of Missouri will enable the Foundation to help far more people impacted by head and neck cancers – up to twice as many.
“Many of our patients need pre-radiation dental before they can even begin treatment and then will require ongoing dental maintenance to improve their treatment outcomes,” Jodi Wilson, Director of Grants & Operations said. “With this grant, we’ll be able to help patients access the necessary oral care to begin treatment and return to living life fully soon after treatment.”
Since 2015, HNC Living has awarded nearly $2 million in assistance, supporting more than 3,000 head and neck cancer patients. Among the services HNC Living supports:
- Dental services including restorative dentures and dental care, before and after cancer treatment
- Patient services including prescriptions, traditional and complementary therapies, nutritional supplements and medical supplies
- Transportation assistance, lodging, and food as a result of travel for treatment