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Rural Health Medical Program Inc. received a $150,000 grant from the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation this week.

Rural Health Medical Program, located in Selma and serves Dallas, Perry, Marengo, Monroe, and Wilcox counties, plans to use the funds to bolster its dental health outreach and programs and increase the size of its dental team and staff.

Rural Health CEO Keshee Smith said the organization appreciates the Grant. “I would like to give a humble and special thanks to the Delta Dental Foundation, for their continued support of our mission and vision to provide quality and comprehensive primary oral healthcare across the Black Belt Region of Alabama,” Smith said. “With these funds, we plan to expand our oral health services across the health centers within our services areas and purchase an Oral Health Mobile Unit. This will be the first Oral Health Mobile Unit deployment within the vulnerable communities we serve with Clarke, Dallas, Marengo, Monroe, Perry, and Wilcox counties.”

Kenzie Ferguson, vice president of foundation and corporate social responsibility for Delta Dental of California, said that Rural Health’s stellar reputation stood out.

“We’re honored to support Rural Health Medical Program and their efforts to promote oral health care in the communities they serve,” Ferguson said.

“This year, we looked for grant applicants who can meet the needs of those who often do not have access to quality dental health resources, such as the elderly, individuals in rural areas, and underserved communities of color. Rural Health Medical Program stood out as a non-profit organization that shared our mission and values. We’re very happy to extend this grant to them.”