Highmark Foundation and United Concordia Dental Charitable Fund award $200,000 grant to the Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic
Feb. 29, 2024 | PITTSBURGH
PITTSBURGH (Feb. 29, 2024) — The Highmark Foundation and United Concordia Dental Charitable Fund today announced the awarding of a joint two-year, $200,000 grant to the Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic (LCPC) to help expand dental care access for children and families with special health care needs.
The funding enables the nonprofit clinic to increase its capacity to serve as a dental home for more children and young adults with cleft lips and palates, as well as other medical conditions. This enhanced care model provides patients with a familiar, continuously accessible place to receive comprehensive dental services, including preventive and restorative care, emergency treatment, oral surgery, orthodontics and oral hygiene education.
"The LCPC serves a tremendous need for Pennsylvania families with complex oral health needs," said Highmark Foundation President Yvonne Cook. "The Highmark Foundation is honored to support the expansion of this model to better serve families and increase access to care to additional families, so they receive the best and most appropriate care possible."
"Children with special health care needs are often at greater risk of tooth decay, gum disease and other oral health problems — making it vital for them to have access to regular dental care," said Roosevelt Allen, DDS, MAGD, ABGD, chief dental officer, United Concordia Dental. "United Concordia is grateful to organizations like LCPC that are focused on making sure these families get the care they need to achieve good oral health and overall wellness."
"We are thrilled to have the Highmark Foundation and United Concordia Charitable Dental Fund's support in caring for our patients with special health care needs," said LCPC Executive Director Elizabeth Prada, DMD, MPH. "Their commitment is a testament to the importance of teamwork in providing the highest level of medical care for patients with complex health issues."
About Highmark Foundation
The Highmark Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) private, charitable organization dedicated to improving the health, wellbeing, and quality of life for individuals who reside in the communities served by Highmark, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. We fulfill our missing by awarding high-impact grants to charitable organizations that implement evidence-based programs aimed at improving community health. Central to the Foundation's mission is identifying and continuously reevaluating our region's prevailing health care needs. By doing so, the Foundation remains at the forefront of those needs, well-equipped to pinpoint the issues that more urgently need support.
In 2021, two new restricted funds were established at the Highmark Foundation — the Highmark West Virginia Charitable Fund for Health and the United Concordia Dental Charitable Fund. These funds support the ongoing work of the Highmark Foundation across its footprint and beyond.
For more information, visit www.highmarkfoundation.org and follow the Highmark Foundation on LinkedIn.
About United Concordia Dental Charitable Fund
United Concordia Dental is a leading national dental solutions partner focused on providing access to high-quality, affordable dental care. Headquartered in Camp Hill, Pa., the company has more than 9.5 million members, one of the nation's largest dentist networks, an AM Best “A” (Excellent) financial strength rating and licensed entities in all 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico and Guam. United Concordia is committed to providing remarkable experiences to our customers, with a focus on enhancing their total health. The United Concordia Dental Charitable Fund operates as a fund of the Highmark Foundation. For more information about United Concordia, visit UnitedConcordia.com.Contact:
Bethany Ross
Highmark Health
304-347-7698
Bethany.ross@highmarkhealth.org
Kristy Cramlet
United Concordia Dental
kristy.cramlet@ucci.com