The Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation has awarded a grant for $15,000 to support the Future Smiles Dental Clinic, coordinated by UALR’s Children International.

Delta Dental will present the check during an upcoming children’s dental clinic at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28, at Wakefield Elementary located on Lancaster and 65th Streets in Little Rock.

The Future Smiles Dental Clinic provides comprehensive dental care to children from low to moderate-income households. The clinic is staffed by dental professionals from Arkansas Children’s Hospital, as well as dental hygiene students from the University of Arkansas at Medical Sciences.

The daily clinic, which treats school-age children at the elementary, operates every month throughout the year, except July. Thousands of school children have received dental care at the clinic since its inception.

Although oral health is an important factor in children’s overall health and well-being, statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that nearly 70 percent of children have some decay in their permanent teeth.

“Our hope is that our contribution will be able to help many in need,” said Kelly Caldwell, manager of communications and foundation for Delta Dental. “We are excited to partner with UALR on this wonderful project, and look forward to hearing some of the success stories we expect to come out of it.”

Go to UALR Children International to learn more about their programs.