BELFAST — Waldo County Dental Care, which seeks to increase access to dental care for low-income residents of Knox and Waldo counties, has received a grant of $7,500 from Northeast Delta Dental Foundation. The money will be used to support the expansion of pediatric oral health care services through the purchase of a portable nitrous oxide delivery system as well and through staff training opportunities.

“We know that oral health has a significant impact on the overall health of children and their readiness to learn,” said Amanda Hood, manager of Waldo County Dental Care, in a news release.“This generous grant will help us deliver critical dental care to as many children as possible. We thank the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation for sharing in our vision of making our community the healthiest in America.”

Waldo County Dental Care is part of a countywide initiative by Waldo County General Hospital to increase access to health care for people regardless of their ability pay. It provides services that include cleanings, X-rays, fluoride treatments, sealants, fillings and extractions.

Waldo County Dental Care serves pediatric patients who have MaineCare as well as patients who are 18 years of age and older who live in Waldo and Knox counties and have not seen a dentist in the previous 12 months. Income guidelines start at $21,105 for one person and increase by $7,315 for each additional person in the family unit.

The mission of the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation is to improve access to, and the quality of, oral health care and education for the public and the dental communities in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.

Waldo County General Hospital is part of MaineHealth, a not-for-profit integrated health system consisting of eight local hospital systems, a comprehensive behavioral healthcare network, diagnostic services, home health agencies, and more than 1,600 employed and independent physicians working together through an Accountable Care Organization. With more than 19,000 employees, MaineHealth is the largest health system in northern New England and provides preventive care, diagnosis and treatment to 1.1 million residents in Maine and New Hampshire. For more information, please visit wcgh.org.