News
The NADP Foundation Continues Its Important Work
By Mike Adelberg, NADP Executive Director
Twice before, including most recently in January, I have blogged about the NADP Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity affiliated with the National Association of Dental Plans. The NADP Foundation was first established in the 1990s, but has been inactive much of the time since then. One of my proudest accomplishments since joining NADP has been revitalizing the Foundation. Last year, the Foundation was able to fund three excellent projects in keeping with the Foundation’s mission:
The mission of the NADP Foundation is to promote research and education initiatives that continuously improve access to and administration of dental benefits.
Here’s a little information about the good work of our grantees:
Charm Economics authored its most complete analysis to date of dental coverage in America for people aged 55 and over. Their analysis revealed that approximately 31 million Americans aged 55 and older, representing 31% of this population, remain without any dental coverage. The analysis sheds light on a serious public policy problem: older Americans, who have greater oral health needs than younger Americans, are more likely to lack coverage. The grant also enabled Charm to differentiate coverage patterns between the 55-64 age group and those 65 and older, highlighting how Medicare eligibility affects coverage transitions.
The Children’s Oral Health Network (of Maine) was funded by the Foundation to establish its Cavity Free Futures (CFF) initiative. CFF is designed to be used by individuals in an adjunctive role to clinical dental care to support the oral health of families in various community settings such as community health workers, medical team members, school nurses, early childhood care providers, etc. CFF uses guided cavity risk reduction to help families identify risks and ways to manage them and encourages setting feasible goals to reduce the impacts of the chronic condition of dental caries.
Rady Children’s Hospital was funded by the Foundation to improve access to care by educating physicians to refer children to dentists and support oral health through the application of fluoride varnish, health literacy, and the reduction of sugar-sweetened beverages. They have trained over 20 Children’s Primary Care Offices in fluoride varnish application. They have already received 59 dental referrals (just as of July 2025). Referrals and treatments are continuing to expand.
I am delighted that the Foundation is again this year able to issue an RFP with the expectation it will again fund a small number of deserving projects aligned with the Foundation’s mission statement.
The NADP Foundation is seeking projects that:
- Demonstrate improvements in access to oral healthcare,
- Demonstrate innovations in oral healthcare delivery,
- Support the advancement of the administration of dental benefits,
- Enhance the dental insurance and dental benefits knowledge of oral health professionals and dental students.
The NADP Foundation expects to again fund two to three projects in late 2025 with a maximum per project award of $50,000. Proposals are due Oct. 1. Proposals will be evaluated based on four criteria:
1.) Potential Impact and Significance;
2.) Capacity, Feasibility, and Methodology;
3.) Cost-Effectiveness; and
4.) Alignment with NADP Foundation’s mission and objectives.
I encourage NADP members and friends of the NADP Foundation to share the RFP with individuals who may be interested in submitting a proposal. Questions about the proposal can be directed to foundation@nadp.org.
Beyond this year, the Foundation has expended its start-up money. Its continued good work beyond this grant cycle is dependent on the generosity of those who understand the value of its work. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Foundation. I will match donations received by September 15 with up to $1,000 of my own money.
