A $1.5 million gift from Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation is aimed at improving children's oral health, and will establish the first philanthropic chair in the University of Colorado Denver School of Dental Medicine, the CU Foundation announced recently.

The school will use the gift to establish an endowed chair in early childhood cavities research. According to UC Denver experts, tooth decay is the most common, preventable chronic disease for children between the ages of 6 and 11.

As part of its strategic plan, the school will combine several existing programs under a single new Department of Prevention and Population Health Research, which will integrate proven dental health programs covering the entire patient life cycle.

"The School of Dental Medicine is privileged to treat the citizens of Colorado," said Denise Kassebaum, DDS, MS, dean of the School of Dental Medicine. "Delta Dental continues to be one of our very strongest partners in ensuring our Colorado neighbors, particularly the younger members of our communities, have a real chance at beginning their lives with healthy smiles."

"The establishment of this chair, and the world-class clinician researcher we are recruiting to fill the position will have a long-term positive impact on the fight against this disease," she said.

The CU Foundation, which facilitated this gift to the university, said endowed chairs are among the highest honors awarded by a university and are preserved for the most distinguished clinicians and scientists.