Concord, NH — A healthy smile can open the door to a new life! Friends of New Hampshire Drug Courts, a non-profit providing concrete supports to recovery court participants experiencing financial barriers, can better support access to critical dental care thanks to a generous $15,000 grant from the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation. This marks a $5,000 increase from last year's grant, reflecting growing support for this vital work.

For nearly a decade, Friends has been an essential resource for Granite Staters in recovery from substance use disorder. Drug courts, also known as recovery courts, are an alternative to incarceration that connect participants to individualized treatment and recovery support. As they navigate recovery and transform their lives, participants are required to secure stable housing, employment, and transportation. Friends provides grants that help cover these expenses for recovery court participants. 

Poor dental health can create both physical and emotional barriers for recovery court participants as they navigate their recovery journey. Affording essential dental care is one of their biggest financial challenges. So far in 2024, Friends has provided over $19,000 in dental care to 23 individuals. This support has helped them avoid chronic pain and distraction, eat healthier, improve overall health, increase their potential in the workplace, fully reintegrate into society, and nurture their long-term success. For many, they simply couldn’t have afforded this care on their own.

Matt Perry, a recipient of dental assistance from Friends expressed deep gratitude for the impact this care had on his recovery: “Thank you for helping me get my new teeth. For so many years, I've had a lack of self-confidence. Now, because of your help, I will be able to smile without worries.” For many like Matt, access to dental care can be a turning point on their path to recovery.  

“This grant will allow Friends to provide more of the critical support recovery court participants need as they rebuild their lives,” said Anthony Naro, President of Friends of New Hampshire Drug Courts. “We deeply appreciate the Foundation’s commitment to supporting our mission. Community partnerships like this are crucial in supporting the resilience of Granite Staters as they heal from substance use disorder.” 

The above photographs were taken on September 13, 2024 at Hillsborough County Superior Court South in Nashua on the occasion of the 2024 graduation ceremony for the Hillsborough County South Adult Drug Court.

About Friends of New Hampshire Drug Courts: 

Friends of New Hampshire Drug Courts is the first in the nation statewide drug court support organization. As a statewide non-profit, Friends is dedicated to supporting the activities and participants of New Hampshire’s recovery courts. Since 2015, Friends has raised and contributed nearly $250,000 to hundreds of participants in New Hampshire's ten county Drug Treatment Courts, Sullivan County Family Treatment Court, and the federal District of New Hampshire’s Law Abiding, Sober, Employed, Responsible (LASER) program. With the support of both individual donors and grants like this one, Friends will continue to support these critical diversion programs and help their participants complete drug court and maintain long-term recovery. Learn more at www.friendsofnhdrugcourts.org 

About the Northeast Delta Dental Foundation: 

The Foundation’s mission is to improve education, quality and access to oral health care throughout Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Foundation funds directly engage the people in our communities and create a powerful impact. This mission is in harmony with the mission of Northeast Delta Dental to increase access to oral health education and dental services. Delta Dental Plans of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont jointly do business as Northeast Delta Dental. The Foundation is funded by each of these companies and many businesses and individuals who appreciate and support our oral health mission. Learn more at www.nedelta.com/foundation 

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