Et cetera : RETHINK YOUR DRINK 2024 APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN FROM DELTA DENTAL OF IA FOUNDATION

Iowa schools and communities have the opportunity to receive a new water bottle filling station through the Rethink Your Drink program, funded by the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation. Selected schools will have an old drinking fountain replaced with a new Elkay water bottle filling station. Priority will be given to schools that have one or fewer water bottle filling stations in their building and schools that have a free and reduced price lunch status of 50 percent or greater.

In addition, the Foundation is looking to install outdoor water filling stations in Iowa communities along trails and in public parks. Priority will be given to community projects with construction timelines that are best aligned with requirements needed for installation.

Applications for the school program will close on March 1 and applications for outdoor water filling stations will be accepted on an ongoing basis throughout the year. To apply, visit deltadentalia.com/foundation/grants.

"Drinking plenty of water in place of sugary sweetened beverages is crucial for healthy smiles and healthy lives," said Suzanne Heckenlaible, executive director of the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation. "Whether we're in the classroom or being active in our community, staying hydrated by having access to drinking water is key to supporting our oral and overall health, and is why we invest in the Rethink Your Drink program."

"Water is an important contributor to good oral and overall health. However, ensuring students are hydrated can be a challenge. More than 50 percent of children and teens in the U.S. are not properly hydrated during the school day, which can impact learning and energy levels," said Melissa Walker, Iowa School Nurse Consultant. "Water bottle filling stations allow students to keep a filled reusable water bottle within reach throughout the day."

Since 2017, the Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation has donated more than $2.26 million to 412 schools throughout Iowa for the Rethink Your Drink program impacting more than 193,000 students and staff. Since 2020, 45 outdoor water filling stations have been installed throughout Iowa impacting more than 427,000 community members.

The Rethink Your Drink program is funded by Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation and supported by the Iowa Department of Health & Human Services, Iowa Public Health Association, Iowa Department of Education, Iowa Healthiest State Initiative and Central Sales, Inc.

About Delta Dental of Iowa

Delta Dental of Iowa, a not-for-profit health and wellness company, provides dental and vision benefits to more than 1.6 million Iowans. Locally focused and nationally networked, Delta Dental of Iowa and its Foundation invest in robust community systems and partnerships. These efforts empower and engage all Iowans to have optimal oral, vision, and overall health. Since 2002, Delta Dental has invested more than $62 million to improve the oral and overall health of Iowans.

Delta Dental of Iowa is a member of the Delta Dental Plans Association, the leading national network of independent dental service corporations. The Delta Dental member companies provide dental benefits to more than 89 million Americans in more than 166,000 employee groups throughout the country. For more information, visit the website at www.deltadentalia.com.