 The New York State Dental Foundation is celebrating the successful implementation of its pilot program, "My Healthy Smile NY." Launched in April, the program has increased access to dental care by connecting underserved populations to crucial services. Of the 228 cases opened this year, 150 have been resolved and approximately 70 remain in progress, demonstrating the program's immediate impact.
My Healthy Smile NY, funded by the Delta Dental Community Care Foundation, addresses oral health challenges by deploying Community Dental Health Coordinators (CDHCs) in four strategic areas throughout New York state: Central New York, the Capital Region, the North Country and Long Island. “Our CDHCs are a bridge between the community and clinical care, providing the necessary connections to ensure people can get the services they need,” said Stacy McIlduff, executive director of the New York State Dental Foundation. “It has been a privilege to watch our CDHCs’ dedication in real-time. We are thrilled with the results so far and know 2025 will lead to further growth and more people receiving the dental care they have been searching for.” In the first months of the program, all four CDHCs enrolled in the CDHC Training Program at Alamance Community College and received initial training and onboarding in the Unite Us platform through Healthy Alliance. Major initiatives have included:
In addition, an Early Head Start Oral Health Prevention Project will be launched in 2025, with CDHCs visiting sites throughout the year. CDHCs will also be responsible for promoting the dental profession throughout their region through community events such as school presentations and high school career fairs.
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 Research indicates a strong correlation between poverty in childhood and an increased likelihood of incarceration. Youth from low-income backgrounds face multiple risk factors that increase their odds of entering the justice system. Poverty-related challenges such as inadequate education, exposure to violence, limited access to mental health resources and family support contribute to higher rates of school suspensions, dropouts, and behavioral issues, all of which can push these children into the juvenile justice system. According to the New York State Office of Children and Family Services' Juvenile Justice Detention Monitoring Report, a total of 3,854 juvenile detention admissions occurred across New York State in 2023. These youth, typically between the ages of 13 and 21, often enter the system from underserved communities and have experienced significant trauma. The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) supervises the treatment and care of court-placed youth, managing residential facilities, and providing them with the support they need to successfully reintegrate into society. Support services include education, employment training, recreation, counseling, mental health services, medical and dental care in both secure and limited secure facilities across the state. The dental needs of these youth are significant and ongoing, particularly in the mid-Hudson and Rochester areas. There are nine residential facilities located in both urban and rural areas of the state. While each facility has its own medical suite staffed by a team of registered nurses and mid-level practitioners, not all facilities have on-site dental suites, and some rely on mobile dental vans for treatment.  Addressing the Gap in Dental Care
Youth placed in OCFS custody are disproportionately minority and often have multiple special needs. They face numerous challenges, not the least of which is a lack of previous access to healthcare. Many arrive with untreated dental issues, from routine decay to more serious conditions, and require significant interventions to bring them to levels of adequate care for their age and developmental level. “Our facilities are tasked with addressing these issues and ensuring that incarcerated youth receive care while they are in custody,” says Dr. Jim Horne, Chief of Medical Services. “Many of them have had poor access to medical and dental care, and it’s common for these teens to be seeing a dentist for the first time in a long time while they are in our care.” Many of the youth are grappling with multiple caries and abscesses, and 3rd molar extractions are often needed. But finding dentists to work with OCFS to treat incarcerated youth is an ongoing challenge that Dr. Horne and his team are working to overcome through outreach to organizations like the New York State Dental Foundation. At each facility, a medical team, including a dentist, is responsible for evaluating new arrivals and providing necessary treatment. Dentists are asked to visit facilities at least twice each month to provide services. This ongoing care includes everything from routine dental exams to more complex treatments such as restorative, surgical, and endodontic procedures. Dr. Horne says that people underestimate the impact that a missing front tooth has on a teenager’s self-esteem. “We work with young people who are still developing, and our goal is to change their trajectory. For dental care, our emphasis is on restoration and education.” So why has it been such a challenge to find dentists to treat these youth? Dr. Horne says a few factors are at play. State dentists working in these facilities will make anywhere from $170,000 to $200,000 a year, which may be lower than those working in private practice. But OCFS offers a streamlined system for dentists who provide care at these facilities, alleviating many of the administrative burdens typically associated with the Medicaid reimbursement process. Dentists are reimbursed directly by OCFS based on standard Medicaid rates, with payment typically processed within a few weeks. “But I think a bigger issue is the stigma around servicing these youth,” says Dr. Horne. “We’re asking a dentist to come to our facility to deliver treatment to kids who may need to be shackled. But providers see patients in a safe environment, and a youth counselor escort is always present. Historically we have not had any cases of a patient becoming physically aggressive during dental treatment.” Dr. Horne cited other challenges in delivering dental care for incarcerated youth, including long wait times for oral surgery. Additionally, the lack of dentists willing to treat at their facilities has created a need to transport youth long distances for their dental care. They may receive treatment in locations more than an hour away, then make the long trip back, in restraints and recovering from a dental procedure. Dentists Play a Vital Role in Rehabilitation Dental care is just one piece of the rehabilitation puzzle for incarcerated youth — but it is a vitally important one. Given the critical need for dental services, there is a growing effort to engage more dentists in providing care to incarcerated youth in New York State. “We are looking for dentists who share our values and understand that providing oral health care contributes to the rehabilitation of these kids,” says Dr. Horne. “Restoring not only their physical health but also their self-esteem and sense of well-being is crucial to their overall rehabilitation. Our dentists are contributing to a broader goal of preparing these youth for reintegration into their communities and to lead healthy and productive lives.” Dental providers who are interested in learning more about employment opportunities with OCFS can directly contact Dr. Jim Horne, Chief of Medical Services, at (518) 474-9560, or search vacancies at https://statejobs.ny.gov.  The Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) estimates only 65.5% of adults over the age of 18 have had a dental exam or cleaning in the past year. To increase access to dental care, the New York State Dental Foundation partnered with Hudson Valley Community College and the New York State Dental Association (NYSDA) to provide free dental services to the Capital Region community, made possible by a sponsorship from St. Peter’s Health Partners.
On Saturday, October 5, 136 people registered to receive critical dental care, including screenings, emergent care, x-rays, treatment diagnosis, pain management guidance, extractions as needed and more. After an initial oral health assessment, those in need of emergent care were referred to Kare Mobile dental vans on sites, which were staffed by volunteer NYSDA dentists. A Community Dental Health Coordinator (CDHC) met with patients to ensure they left with a follow up care plan. “Community events are a crucial piece in improving the accessibility of dental care because they allow us to meet one-on-one with patients and quickly connect them to services. There is no greater feeling than seeing someone receive the care they desperately need and have been searching for. We applaud all of our community partners, especially St. Peter’s Health Partners for its sponsorship, as this would not be possible without them,” said Dr. Maria Maranga, New York State Dental Foundation Trustee Chair. Community dental events further highlight the importance of collaboration in improving access to dental care for the most vulnerable populations. By working together, CDHCs, HVCC students, NYSDA dentists and St. Peter’s Health Partners provided a missing link to enhance patient access to care and improve health outcomes. “The Capital Region Community Dental Event is a day of compassion to relieve patients of discomfort and to share our continued commitment to health education and the foundational importance of good oral health,” said HVCC Dental Hygiene Department Chairperson Tammy Conway. “We were excited and honored to be a part of this event that fosters interprofessional collaboration and mentorship opportunities for our dental hygiene and dental assisting students.” The New York State Dental Foundation is hoping to replicate this model and offer more Community Dental Events across New York State in the future, with the philanthropic support of other community stakeholders like St. Peter’s Health Partners. “Our Mission is to be a transforming healing presence in our communities. Being able to meet people where they are and helping to provide access to services they may not otherwise have is critical to improving the overall health in the neighborhoods where we work and live,” said Kathy DeRosa, Chief Mission Officer and vice president of Community Health and Well-being at St. Peter’s Health Partners. “We are honored to have sponsored today’s event, assisting our valued partners in their efforts to make sure everyone in our community has the resources they need to live full, healthy lives.”  The New York State Dental Foundation has distributed $25,000 to three New York City hospitals to address oral health care needs for uninsured or underserved children. The funding is made possible by a generous bequest from Ms. Evangeline Lata, a native New Yorker whose brother was a Manhattan dentist. The Gleason Legacy Circle was established earlier this year for consideration in legacy planning. Ms. Lata, who passed away in December 2020 prior to the creation of the Gleason Legacy Circle, instructed her executor to select an oral health organization treating the underserved. The New York State Dental Foundation is exceptionally grateful for being selected based on its dedication to expanding access to oral health care for vulnerable populations across the state. “We are humbled that the Lata family has entrusted our organization with such a special gift. We felt that the funding should be used to support the wellbeing of our children,” said Dr. Maria Maranga, Foundation Trustee Chair. “When you include the New York State Dental Foundation in your legacy plans, you become a crucial ally for the future, ensuring a healthier and more vibrant community for generations to come.”  The Foundation recently distributed the $25,000 to:
The Gleason Legacy Circle is named after Dr. G. Kirk Gleason, former chair of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees and the first dentist to notify the Foundation of his bequest intentions. Planned giving helps to support the Foundation’s long-term mission to improving the oral health of all New Yorkers for future generations. The New York State Dental Foundation recognizes an outstanding graduating student from each of the state’s dental hygiene schools with the presentation of the Albert H. Stevenson Award. This award is given to a graduating student who displays the leadership qualities and enthusiasm that Dr. Stevenson gave to the field of oral hygiene. Dr. Stevenson proudly communicated the importance of the oral hygiene field and advocated to have dental hygiene recognized has a licensed profession. The dental hygiene profession as it stands today is due, in part, to Dr. Stevenson’s tireless dedication. This year, the New York State Dental Foundation was able to include a $500 award to accompany the certificate for each student, many of whom have families they are supporting while juggling responsibilities of work and going to school. These monetary awards were made possible in part by generous contributions made in memory of Lisa D’Agostino, a certified dental assistant who sadly passed away in May of 2023. “Lisa always had a passion for dentistry,” said Lisa’s mother, Kathy D’Agostino. “She began her journey as part of her high school internship and worked in a dental office starting in ninth grade, an experience which only helped her love of dentistry to grow even more. Unfortunately, Lisa’s illnesses prevented her from achieving her life goal of becoming a dental hygienist, but we know she is smiling down knowing she was able to help others fulfill a dream she once had.” The Foundation is grateful to Lisa’s parents, Kathy and Chuck D’Agostino, as well as the many donors who paid tribute to her memory through their special gifts.  The 2024 recipients of the Foundation’s Albert H. Stevenson Award are: Zoryana Vykhovanska, New York City College of Technology; Teresa Carmel, Hudson Valley Community College; McKenna Kiesel, Broome Community College; Emily Bogden, Monroe Community College; Johnna Intorcia, Erie Community College; Kathleen Bocash, Orange County Community College; Maria Benny, Hostos Community College of the City University of New York; Marina Babaisakova, State University of New York at Farmingdale; Adelya Mutigullina; NYU College of Dentistry.
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