A great smile and good oral care can be a sign of health. And especially for older adults, a healthy smile can improve well-being by boosting their self-esteem and giving them the confidence to engage socially.
A new dental fund will help local older adults in El Paso and Southern New Mexico maintain their healthy smiles by covering some of the costs of care at the Texas Tech Dental Oral Health Clinic.
The Carl C. Anderson and Marie Jo Anderson Charitable Foundation provided a $10,000 grant to establish The Anderson Charitable Foundation Senior Dental Fund. Harold Hahn, chairman of Rocky Mountain Mortgage Co., and his wife, Beth Hahn, generously matched the donation with a $10,000 gift resulting in a total of $20,000 in funding. Adolpho and Debbie Telles, prominent community leaders in El Paso, were also moved by the fund’s purpose and contributed $7,000 to further its impact.
The average cost per dental patient ranges from $500-$800, meaning 33 to 53 older adults will receive dental care through the Anderson Charitable Foundation Senior Dental Fund. Adults age 55 and older are eligible to receive services supported by the grant’s funds.