Park Dental Foundation

For over 45 years, Park Dental has been committed to providing communities with better and more accessible dental care. In 2015, we extended this commitment by creating the Park Dental Foundation, a non-profit entity that supports education, research and dental care outreach. We have always believed in improving lives through the advancement of oral health, and the Park Dental Foundation allows us to further build upon the many charitable activities we’ve engaged in for decades. Since our formation, we have distributed over $150,000 in grants and scholarships, and we have big plans to expand on these efforts in the years to come.

Care Outreach

We believe that everyone deserves access to quality dental care. Through our care outreach initiative, we focus on helping underserved populations get the care they need.  Last year we selected four recipients in the Twin Cities and awarded each of them a grant for a specific project that helps bring better care to children, disabled, elderly, the homeless and low income individuals. Past care outreach recipients include the Minnesota Cavity Free Kids program, Apple Tree Dental, Sharing & Caring Hands, and Children’s Dental Services. The Park Dental Foundation has also provided support for the 2018 Minnesota Mission of Mercy. These programs have brought exceptional oral health services to underserved patients throughout Minnesota. 

Research

At Park Dental, we are always looking for ways to make dental care even better for patients. Through our commitment to research, we are constantly supporting better treatment options. In 2016, we funded a study by Apple Tree Dental on the use of Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF) as a treatment in long-term care facilities for patients with root caries. In 2017 we funded a dental student research position at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry.  We also helped fund a faculty research project titled, “Minnesota Dentists’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Related to Working with Spoken-Language Interpreters to provide Quality Care for Limited English Proficient Patients.”  This past year the foundation again funded a University of Minnesota School of Dentistry Dental Student Summer Research position as well as three research projects at regional dental schools including Creighton, Iowa and Marquette. Each year, the Park Dental Foundation helps fund exciting new projects that bring better dental care to the community.

Education

We support students with a passion for dentistry, and we believe in making educational opportunities more affordable for these students. The Park Dental Foundation has awarded scholarships to deserving students at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry and sixteen dental hygiene and assisting programs who will add their skills to address the needs in our communities who will add their skills to address the needs in our communities.  

Looking Ahead

The Park Dental Foundation is constantly looking for ways to share its mission and vision more broadly. In the future, we hope to expand our scholarships and grants to help improve even more lives. Our annual Park Dental golf invitational will continue to play a big role in our fundraising efforts, as will your generous contributions.