Dental Safety Net Grant
Dental Safety Net Grant supports nonprofit dental providers offering free or reduced-cost oral health care to uninsured, low-income patients under 21 to sustain dental safety net services in Minnesota.
Funder: Minnesota Department of Health
Due Dates: September 14, 2026 (LOI opens) | October 16, 2026 (LOI deadline, 4:30 p.m. Central) | December 14, 2026 (Full application, 4:30 p.m. Central)
Funding Amounts: Estimated $113,000 available; estimated awards of $2,260–$33,900
Summary: Supports nonprofit dental providers offering free or reduced-cost oral health care to uninsured, low-income patients under age 21.
Key Information: A Letter of Intent is required before submitting a full application.
Description
The Dental Safety Net Grant is administered by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) through its Office of Rural Health and Primary Care (ORHPC). Authorized by Minnesota Statute 145.929, it supports dental providers offering free or reduced-cost oral health care to low-income young people who lack insurance coverage for those services. The program focuses on sustaining dental safety net services in Minnesota, rather than funding a separate research initiative.
Funding is awarded annually to eligible programs, with allocations proportional to the number of uninsured patients under age 21 served. This patient-based approach directs support toward providers delivering affordable dental care to young patients without oral health insurance.
