Since 2022, the partnership has donated over 20,000 mouth guards across more than 160 Illinois high schools, increasing access to protective equipment that helps keep athletes safe.
“Student-athlete safety is of the utmost importance to the IHSA and Delta Dental of Illinois,” says Craig Anderson, executive director of the IHSA. “We are proud of our continued partnership with Delta Dental of Illinois, an organization that shares our commitment to protecting and supporting student-athletes. Their support over the past five years has helped keep our teams safe on the field.”
Mouth guards are vital in preventing injuries to the mouth, face, neck and head during contact sports. Research shows that athletes are 60 times more likely to sustain damage to their teeth when not wearing a sports mouth guard.[1]
“At Delta Dental of Illinois, our mission extends beyond providing dental benefit programs. We are committed to improving the health and well-being of the communities we serve by expanding access to care and promoting oral health education,” says Praveen Thadani, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Illinois. “By helping protect the smiles of student-athletes, we are advancing our mission to improve the health and well-being of Illinoisans.”
About Delta Dental of Illinois
Delta Dental of Illinois is the leading dental benefits carrier in the state, covering more than one-third of Illinois school districts. Additionally, Delta Dental of Illinois Foundation, the organization’s 501(c)(3) charitable arm, reaches thousands of Illinois students each year through school-focused programs like H2O on the Go, which installs water bottle-filling stations in schools for easier access to drinking water, and Land of Smiles, an educational program promoting good oral health habits for elementary students.
IHSA Mission Statement
Serve member schools by enriching students’ educational experiences through leadership of interscholastic athletics and activities.
About the IHSA
Founded in 1900, the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) is a private, not-for-profit organization with more than 800-member high schools in the Land of Lincoln. The IHSA’s mission is to enrich the educational experience of over 400,000 high school students through participation in over 40 sports and activities. Headquartered in Bloomington, the IHSA strives to promote academics, sportsmanship, safety, good citizenship, and the lifelong values that are the foundation of interscholastic participation. The home of America’s Original March Madness, the Association also oversees the licensing and education of over 12,000 game officials. Visit www.IHSA.org for more information or connect with the IHSA on social media. The Future Plays Here!
