Sun Life U.S. and its dental segment, DentaQuest, have formalized a three-year partnership agreement to support TeamSmile, a program aimed at enhancing access to oral healthcare for underserved children. The renewed collaboration involves a donation totaling $825,000, which will fund the expansion of TeamSmile's efforts, including their free dental clinics and the Dental Home Project, facilitated by DentaQuest.
Over the past 15 years, TeamSmile has coordinated with Sun Life and DentaQuest to host large-scale dental clinics at sports venues, providing essential dental services to children. The Dental Home Project seeks to link children involved in TeamSmile programs with local primary dentists, establishing an enduring dental care relationship. Notably, since the program's inception, half of the children lacked a dental home, yet by December 2024, more than 80% have been paired with a dentist, and nearly 80% of those matched have attended a follow-up appointment.
David Healy, president of Sun Life Dental, emphasized the significance of this care model, explaining, "The dental home model of care is a comprehensive approach to oral care similar to a primary care physician relationship, and the TeamSmile events are a wonderful entry point for kids to experience dental care as a fun yet important part of a healthy future."
The partnership aligns with the mutual objectives of Sun Life, DentaQuest, and TeamSmile in promoting oral health access and preventive care strategies. The new funding aims to double the reach of current programs and benefit additional children over the coming years.
John McCarthy, Executive Director of TeamSmile, expressed gratitude, stating, "Sun Life and DentaQuest have become major drivers of our significant growth phase and are playing a big role in our ability to serve thousands of additional children throughout the country."
Since its founding in 2007, TeamSmile has hosted approximately 300 programs nationwide, benefiting over 55,000 children with more than $21 million in complimentary dental care and education.
Sun Life is a global financial services organization known for its wide range of asset management, wealth, insurance, and health solutions. With operations in various international markets, Sun Life boasts assets under management valued at C$1.54 trillion as of December 2024.
In the United States, Sun Life U.S. is one of the largest providers of employee and government benefits, supporting around 50 million Americans. Their portfolio includes dental, vision, disability, and other health-related insurance services.
DentaQuest, under the Sun Life U.S. Dental umbrella, focuses on promoting preventive care and access through its extensive network, serving 35 million Americans via employer, individual, and government-sponsored plans.