A young boy smile in an exam chair with a male and female provider on either side.A young boy smile in an exam chair with a male and female provider on either side.

Types of Grants

By issuing different types of grants to dentist-led organizations, we can help ensure the oral health of children in need. 

A young girl and her family smile in a waiting room.
A boy wears sunglasses in an exam chair with his provider smiling next to him.
Three providers smile at the camera.
A young girl smiles in an exam chair with her provider smiling next to her.

CALLING ALL DENTISTS

Do you provide dental care for families in need in a 501(c)(3) setting?

If yes, you can apply for an AAPD Foundation grant! Since 2010, we have issued more than $8.3 million in grants and commitments to 161 organizations in 36 states. Our foundation grantees have helped provide healthy smiles for more than 735,000 children. Our next call for applications will be late spring 2024.

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 
  • Start-up organizations 

Grants & Funding

Each year, the AAPD Foundation issues a call for applications encouraging community clinics and dental schools to apply for one-year grants. Besides helping kids get the dental care they need, these one-year 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. Check back in Spring 2024 for our next call for applications.

Up to $20,000

Access to Care Grants

The AAPD Foundation awards single-year grants that help more children than any other national dentist-led charity. We fund community-based initiatives and organizations providing free or low-cost dental care for children whose families would otherwise go without.

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 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
Apply for Grants

Continued Support for Grantees

Thanks to the great work within our national grantee network, the AAPD Foundation explores larger-scale opportunities to support the promising work of selected clinics and/or projects. Larger initiatives are considered on an invitation-only basis.

Greater Community Impact

Based on metrics showing the greatest needs and opportunities, the AAPD Foundation invites proposals 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 AAPD 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. Note: The AAPD Foundation does not accept unsolicited inquiries or proposals.

Grant Application FAQs

All non-private dental and/or medical organizations located in the United States and its Territories are welcome to apply. 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. 

More Grant Application Questions?

Contact Us