Published on October 1, 2025 2:26 pm
Last Updated on October 1, 2025 2:26 pm
NAPERVILLE – Delta Dental of Illinois is partnering with the Illinois High School Association (IHSA) during the 2025-2026 school year to help protect high school student-athletes by donating mouth guards to schools throughout the state.
“Student-athlete safety is of the utmost importance to the IHSA and Delta Dental of Illinois,” says Craig Anderson, executive director for IHSA. “We are proud to partner with Delta Dental of Illinois, which shares our commitment to supporting students. We appreciate all they have done and will continue to do for our teams by donating mouth guards.”
Mouth guards are vital in preventing injuries to the mouth, face, neck, and head during contact sports. Since 2022, Delta Dental of Illinois has donated more than 15,000 mouth guards to student-athletes across the state.
“Delta Dental of Illinois is committed to advancing good health across our communities,” said Praveen Thadani, president and CEO of Delta Dental of Illinois. “That extends beyond our dental benefit programs by providing health education and improving access to care. Supporting student-athletes by safeguarding their smiles is one more way Delta Dental of Illinois is helping improve the overall health and well-being of Illinoisans.”
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.