Illinois High School Association and Delta Dental of Illinois Teaming-Up to Protect Student-Athlete Smiles Across the State
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (Aug. 22, 2023) - Delta Dental of Illinois is partnering with the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) during the 2023-2024 school year and helping protect high school student-athletes by donating mouth guards to 40 schools throughout the state.
“Student-athlete safety is of the utmost importance to the IHSA and Delta Dental of Illinois,” says Craig Anderson, executive director for IHSA. “We are proud to have a partner in Delta Dental of Illinois, which is aligned with our goal to support students, and we appreciate all that the organization has done and will continue to do for our teams by donating mouth guards.”
Mouth guards are vital in preventing injuries to the mouth, face, neck, and head during contact sports. Last year Delta Dental of Illinois donated mouth guards to 5,000 student-athletes in more than 20 schools across the state. See a list of schools receiving mouth guards this year at https://www.ihsa.org/IHSA-State/IHSA-State-Articles/delta-dental-of-illinois-to-provide-free-mouth-guards-to-over-40-ihsa-schools-in-2023.
“At Delta Dental of Illinois, our mission goes beyond just dental benefit programs. We’re deeply rooted in fostering good health in our communities. Our dedication is evident through our efforts to provide health education and support, as well as improve access to care for,” explains John Maples, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Illinois. “By protecting the smiles of student-athletes, Delta Dental of Illinois is furthering its mission of improving the health and well-being of Illinoisans.”
Delta Dental of Illinois is the leading dental benefits carrier in the state, covering more than one-third of Illinois school districts. Additionally, Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation, the organization’s 501(c)(3) charitable arm, reaches thousands of Illinois students each year through school-focused programs like H2O On the Go, which installs water bottle-filling stations in schools for easier access to drinking water, and Land of Smiles, an educational program promoting good oral health habits for elementary students.
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About Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation
The Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation was formed in March 2008 by Delta Dental of Illinois, a not-for-profit dental service corporation with a mission to improve the oral health of the communities it serves. Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation is the 501(c)(3) charitable arm of Delta Dental of Illinois and works to support and improve the oral health of people in Illinois. In the past decade, combined efforts of Delta Dental of Illinois and Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation have provided more than $30 million to programs and organizations in Illinois that improve the oral health of the residents of Illinois.
About the IHSA
Founded in 1900, the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) is a private, not-for-profit organization with more than 800 member high schools in the Land of Lincoln. The IHSA’s mission is governing the equitable participation of over 400,000 high school students competing in over 40 sports and activities. Headquartered in Bloomington, the IHSA strives to promote academics, sportsmanship, safety, good citizenship, and the lifelong values that are the foundation of interscholastic participation. The Association also oversees the licensing and education of over 12,000 officials. Visit www.IHSA.org for more information or connect with the IHSA on social media and YouTube. The Future Plays Here!