Sun Life and DentaQuest grow TeamSmile partnership with $825,000 donation, extending nationwide dental home project

Rhea-AI Summary

Sun Life U.S. and DentaQuest have announced a three-year, $825,000 partnership extension with TeamSmile to expand access to dental care for underserved children. The collaboration focuses on TeamSmile's free dental clinics and the Dental Home Project, which connects children to local primary dentists for long-term care.

The program has shown significant success, with over 80% of children without a dental home being matched with providers, and nearly 80% attending their first follow-up appointment. Since its founding in 2007, TeamSmile has conducted almost 300 programs nationwide, serving more than 55,000 children and providing over $21 million in free dental care and education.

Positive

• Strategic expansion of dental services business through community outreach
• Building long-term customer base through early engagement with youth demographic
• Strengthening market presence in dental care sector through partnership expansion

Negative

• None.

The three-year agreement will help thousands of at-risk children connect to long-term dental services in their community

WELLESLEY, Mass., March 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sun Life U.S. and DentaQuest, part of its Dental business, today announced a three-year agreement to continue supporting TeamSmile as it aims to help more underserved children get oral healthcare and education. With a funding total of $825,000 over three years, this partnership will help reach even more children served through TeamSmile's flagship free dental clinics and the Dental Home Project, Powered by DentaQuest.

This partnership will help thousands of at-risk children connect to long-term dental services in their community

Sun Life and DentaQuest have partnered with TeamSmile for the last 15 years, expanding access to oral healthcare through free, large-scale dental clinics anchored in popular sports team stadiums and arenas. The Dental Home Project, Powered by DentaQuest aims to connect children at TeamSmile programs with a local primary dentist to provide care for each child as they grow. Nearly half of all attendees since the program launched were without a dental home. As of December 2024, more than 80% of those in need have been matched, and almost 80% of them have already attended their first follow-up dental appointment.

"We know the challenges families face getting access to oral healthcare, and this partnership is a direct way we can make it easier for children to get the ongoing care they need," said David Healy, president of Sun Life Dental. "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."

Sun Life, DentaQuest and TeamSmile are aligned in their objectives of increasing health access, improving outcomes for America's youth in high-need communities, and promoting a prevention-focused approach to oral healthcare. This additional investment aims to expand and strengthen these efforts to ultimately double the number of programs and children served over the next several years.

"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," said TeamSmile Executive Director John McCarthy. "We are privileged to share a vision that, together, we are getting closer to achieve – a world where all children can access quality oral healthcare."

Founded in 2007, TeamSmile has conducted nearly 300 programs around the country that served more than 55,000 children and provided more than $21 million in free dental care and oral health education.

About Sun Life
Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of December 31, 2024, Sun Life had total assets under management of C$1.54 trillion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

Sun Life U.S. is one of the largest providers of employee and government benefits, helping approximately 50 million Americans access the care and coverage they need. Through employers, industry partners and government programs, Sun Life U.S. offers a portfolio of benefits and services, including dental, vision, disability, absence management, life, supplemental health, medical stop-loss insurance, and healthcare navigation. Sun Life employs more than 8,500 people in the U.S., including associates in our partner dental practices and affiliated companies in asset management. Group insurance policies are issued by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Wellesley Hills, Mass.), except in New York, where policies are issued by Sun Life and Health Insurance Company (U.S.) (Lansing, Mich.). For more information visit our website and newsroom.

About DentaQuest
Sun Life U.S. Dental, which includes DentaQuest, is dedicated to improving the oral health of all through purpose-driven, outcomes-based solutions. We make dental benefits better for everyone through Preventistry^® – an inclusive approach centered on preventive, quality care, expanded access and solutions built on valued relationships across the health care ecosystem. We manage dental and vision benefits for approximately 35 million Americans. For 30 years, we have delivered cost-effective benefit plans and services for employer groups, individuals, health plans, and government-sponsored dental programs. We are the largest Medicaid and CHIP dental benefits administrator in the U.S., by membership. We also support direct patient care through an expanding network of approximately 75 dental practices in underserved communities across the United States. Learn more about Sun Life U.S. Dental at sunlife.com/dental and dentaquest.com.

Direct Media Inquiries to:

Maya Linson
maya.linson@improvingoralhealth.com
202-794-3738

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SOURCE Sun Life U.S.

FAQ

What is the value and duration of Sun Life's (SLF) new partnership with TeamSmile?

Sun Life and DentaQuest have committed $825,000 over three years to support TeamSmile's dental care initiatives.

How many children has TeamSmile served through its SLF-supported programs?

TeamSmile has served more than 55,000 children and provided over $21 million in free dental care and oral health education since 2007.

What is the success rate of TeamSmile's Dental Home Project supported by SLF?

Over 80% of children without a dental home have been matched with providers, with nearly 80% attending their first follow-up appointment.

How many programs has TeamSmile conducted with Sun Life's (SLF) support?

TeamSmile has conducted nearly 300 programs around the country since its founding in 2007.