On Dec. 10, Independence Blue Cross Foundation announced that the Manor College Dental Center will be receiving $25,000 in Blue Safety Net funding for the first time this year. The Foundation’s Blue Safety Net Program aims to improve community health access by providing grants to private, non-profit health centers operating in medically underserved areas. In total, the Blue Safety Net funding provides nearly $2.4 million to 49 health centers throughout the local region.

“We are excited to have a partnership with the IBX Foundation and appreciate their funding through the Blue Safety Net Grant,” says Jaime Simpson, director of the EFDA program and Dental Health Center at Manor. “Due to their support, Manor College’s Dental Health Center will be able to improve our outreach and service to the community providing quality care.”

Manor College’s Dental Health Center aims to provide affordable, high-quality dental care to the public. Patients are seen by licensed dentists and faculty, well-trained professionals, as well as students working under the supervision of a dentist as part of the students’ EFDA Clinical  rotations. The Center has been servicing the local community for over 31 years, offering a wide range of affordable dental care options. New patients can receive a full consultation, clinical examination, and oral cancer screening for only $35, while the Student Hygiene Clinic offers hygiene services (cleaning, x-ray, exam and more) for a nominal fee of $20.

The Independence Blue Cross Foundation is an independent, private organization focused on strengthening access to healthcare in Southeastern Pennsylvania. In order for an organization like Manor College Dental Center to be eligible for the grant, they need to have a mission that aligns with the Independence Blue Cross Foundation, provide free or low-cost primary healthcare services to the underserved/uninsured, and must be a non-profit, privately-funded health center.

To learn more about the Independence Blue Cross Foundation, visit www.ibxfoundation.org.