Types of Grants
By issuing different types of dental care grants to dentist-led organizations, we can help ensure the oral health of children in need.
CALLING ALL HEALTHY SMILE HEROES
Do you provide dental care for families in need in a 501(c)(3) setting?
If yes, you can apply for a national dental grant from the AAPD Foundation! Since 2010, we have issued $11 million in grants and commitments to 168 organizations in 36 states. Our foundation grantees have helped provide healthy smiles for more than 850,000 children.
Dental grant applications are closed
Next call for applications will be Summer 2026
What We Fund
- Child oral health care
- Special health care needs for children
- Clinic supplies, instruments & equipment
- Education and outreach to recruit dentist participation in program activities
- Support programs that provide treatment for children in need
What We Don’t Fund
- Direct payment to patient families
- Private practices
- Existing debts or budget shortfalls for qualified clinics
- Adult care
- Personal expenses
Want to Sign Up or Have Questions?
Please fill out this form or email our Grants and Programs Assistant Manager Jasmine Williams for more information.
Calling All Grant Reviewers!
The AAPD Foundation is looking for enthusiastic, responsible individuals to review applications for Access to Care Grants. Dentists, pediatric dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, residents, and those in the dental or healthcare industry are welcome to volunteer.
Grant reviewers evaluate submitted applications by qualified organizations to determine whether the project meets the standards to receive an AAPD Foundation Access to Care Grant. Reviewers complete a corresponding evaluation form for each application.
Training
- Attend a one-hour remote calibration session where you’ll be trained on review and evaluation protocols.
Time Commitment
- Reviewers have approximately eight weeks to review assigned applications, between mid-September and mid-November.
- Each application takes on average 30 minutes to review.
- We anticipate a high number of submissions this year so reviewers might have as many as 25 applications to review.
Our next call for applications opens in July 2026
Grants & Funding
Each year, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Foundation issues a call for applications encouraging community clinics and dental schools to apply for one-year grants from our grant program that supports healthier smiles.
Besides helping kids get the dental care they need, these one year dental care grants help us understand what is going on around the country. Thanks to our pediatric dentist experts, we can also keep an eye out for new ideas that show promise.
Qualifications to Apply
Must be a United States/U.S. Territory applicant or organization providing care to children in the U.S. or a U.S. Territory. Qualified initiatives must be dentist-led, with priority given to projects with pediatric dentist leadership. Projects led by general practitioners also may apply.
Qualified applicants/organizations national dental grants include, but are not limited to:
- Nonprofit 501(c)(3) or 501 (c)(6) organizations
- Local health jurisdictions
- County health departments
- Hospitals and clinics
- State government agencies
- Colleges/schools of dentistry
- Colleges/schools of medicine (pediatric and family medicine departments only)
- National, state and local dental societies
Continued Support for Grantees
Thanks to the great work within our national grantee network, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Foundation explores larger-scale opportunities to support the promising work of selected clinics and/or projects. Larger initiatives are considered for the healthier smiles grant program on an invitation-only basis.
Greater Community Impact
Based on metrics showing the greatest needs and opportunities, the AAPD Foundation invites proposals for national dental grants from previously selected grant recipients who demonstrate potential for greater community impact.
Multi-Year Access to Care Grant clinics receive three to five years of financial support as well as ongoing technical assistance from Foundation-provided pediatric dental advisors. Note: The AAPD Foundation does not accept unsolicited inquiries or proposals.
National Systemic Impact
Our grantee network is full of passionate, caring and creative people. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry Foundation continuously provides seed funding for concepts with potential to make a difference for children nationwide.
Working with our grantees and other national, regional, and local collaborators, we support pilot and expansion initiatives to establish and maintain optimal oral health for children in need.
Grant Application FAQs
All non-private dental and/or medical organizations located in the United States and its Territories are welcome to apply for our grant program that supports healthier smiles. This includes:
- Nonprofit 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) organizations
- University-affiliated dental schools, their clinics and adjunct locations
- Community college-affiliated programs
- Local health jurisdictions, county health departments, and hospitals/clinics
Non-qualified organizations include:
- Private dental practices and/or individual practitioners
- Non-domestic programs of US-based organizations
Only initiatives under the direct supervision of a dentist (pediatric dentist preferred, but not required) are considered.
Stay Connected
Interested in grants? Explore our grant guidelines or connect with us to learn more.
