FORT SMITH - Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation has awarded a $20,000 grant to Mercy Health Foundation in Fort Smith to help underserved cancer patients at Mercy receive oral health care.

The grant was awarded to provide oral health education, preventive care and treatment for underserved patients with head and neck cancer, since these patients have the highest risk of developing oral complications before, during and after cancer treatment. Their health outcomes are directly impacted by treatment delays and nutritional issues caused by dental problems.