24 minute read
Component News
EIGHTH DISTRICT
Golfing in the Rain
Kevin J. Hanley, D.D.S.
Monday, June 9, dawned sunny and warm. It was an auspicious beginning for the 2025 William C. Knauf Jr. CE Lecture and Golf Tournament. The morning began with a lecture by Dr. Gina DeSouza, newly installed chair of the Restorative Department at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. In her address, “All Ceramic Restorations: Structure, Properties and Bonding Protocols,” Dr. DeSouza took her audience through the history of ceramics and their current use as a dental restorative. Following the lecture, lunch was served, and the golfers went to tee off. Just as the first ball was struck, the rains began—with a vengeance. Nevertheless, everyone made the best of the circumstances, and the tournament continued to its conclusion.
Playing golf in the rain is not easy. However, all the golfers seemed to have a great time out on the course. Dr. Peter Igoe won the overall 8th District Championship. In the Scramble, the overall men’s winner was the team of Kevin Schmidt, Andy Jaxson, Alex Jaxson and Jeff Rymarczyk from Evolution Dental. The Senior’s champion was the team of Drs. Joseph Modica, John Tibbetts, John Luchesse Jr. and Eugene Sibick. The Super Senior’s champion was a tie between the teams of Drs. Joseph Breloff, Robert Schaus, John Athens and Andrew MacDonald and the team of Drs. Robert Reszel, Scott Seier, Ron Chmiel and Greg George. The Mixed Team overall winner was Drs. Chet Gary, Frank Sindoni, Rock Redmin and Ms. Julia Gengo. Dr. Louis Schiumo won Closest to the Pin. The Ladies Longest Drive went to Dr. Liz Kapral. Dr. Richard Medico won the Men’s Longest Drive, and the Senior Men’s Longest Drive winner was Dr. Robert Reszel.
Everyone appeared to have a wonderful if wet time. Next year’s tournament will be held at the Transit Valley Country Club in East Amherst on Monday, June 1. Let’s hope the weather is better.
Tearing it Up
The Eighth District held its annual Shred Day June 14 at the district office. Again, it was a huge success, as members brought multiple boxes of confidential files and X-rays to be destroyed. Lincoln Archives supplied two trucks to handle the load. Walsh Duffield Insurance and Ivoclar sponsored the event, for which the 8th District thanks them very much. Another Shred Day will be held next June, so get those files and films ready.
Lifesaver
The Erie County Dental Society sponsored its quarterly “Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers” course on Aug. 4 at the 8th District office. This course fulfills the New York State requirement for CPR retraining. Participants completed both written and skills tests to be recertified. They also earned 4 MCE hours for participating.
Rules of the Road
On Wednesday, Sept. 3, the district hosted another defensive driving course, presented by the Safe Driver Academy. This is an informative, humor-based course, which teaches attendees the actual rules of safe driving and how to be safe out on the highway. Having taken this course previously, I can attest this is not your grandfather’s course on safe driving. It is a fun, entertaining, informative lecture, and participants receive a 10% discount on their auto insurance for the next three years. I highly recommend this course if you haven’t taken it before. You will not regret it.
A Very Special Boat
On Tuesday, Sept. 16, the Erie County Dental Society will host a social function on the Cotter, Buffalo’s historic fireboat, which has served the Buffalo Fire Department and the citizens of Buffalo for over 105 years. The Cotter was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1996 and is the oldest functioning fireboat in the world. Attendees will be treated to a Firehose Water Show and spectacular views of the Buffalo Waterfront.
Fall Lecture
The Erie County Dental Society will sponsor an evening seminar at the 8th District office on Wednesday, Oct. 1, starting at 5:30 p.m. Drs. Jessica Canallatos and Paul Canallantos will present “Unlocking Advanced Treatment Options: Digital Dentistry and Custom Prostheses for Comprehensive Patient Care.” Their lecture will highlight cutting-edge advancements in full-arch rehabilitation with dental implants, focusing on digital workflows simplifying treatment and delivering exceptional outcomes for edentulous patients. It will also explore the world of maxillofacial prosthetics, including custom prosthetic eyes, ears and noses, as well as advanced prosthetic solutions for craniofacial conditions and Nasoalveolar molding appliances for cleft care. Those in attendance will gain insight into identifying patients who could benefit from these treatments and collaborating with specialists to provide comprehensive, life-changing care. Participants will earn 1.5 CME hours.
NASSAU COUNTY
Members Responding to CE Offerings
Eugene Porcelli, D.D.S. Executive Director
This is another banner year for NCDS CE course offerings and registrations, with over 104 hours of CE scheduled in 2025. One example was our May General Membership meeting on May 12. Dr. Laurent Ganry delivered a fascinating lecture titled “Diagnosis, Resection and Reconstruction of Facial Skin Lesions & Cancer.” In it, he provided an update on skin lesion and cancer management and described resection and reconstructive techniques he has developed to improve the quality of life, function and overall dignity of patients.
As fall approaches, CE registrations have been brisk, but we still have spots available. Included in the 14 upcoming courses are some unique topics, including “Regional Pain Syndrome,” “Orthognathic Surgery,” “Cone Beam” (sold out), “Tongue Tie” and a special handson course on “Injection Molded Direct Composites,” which as of this writing is almost sold out.
We’ve also noted a significant uptick in nonmember registrations for our courses, which provides us additional non-dues revenue and an opportunity for engagement in hopes of conversion.
Speaking of conversions, our Resident/New Dentist Seminar Series earlier this year was a success and received an ARC (Acquisition, Retention and Conversions) grant from the ADA. So far this year, we’ve seen 30 new members join.
Shredding and Walking
We have two events scheduled for the fall as well. Our Shredding and Recycling Event will be on Saturday, Sept. 13, from noon to 3:30 p.m. We’ll be accepting documents to shred, as well as old electronics and X-ray film to recycle.
Then, on Sunday Oct. 5, we will have our 3rd annual Walk for Oral Cancer Awareness at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, Long Island. This charity event raises public awareness of oral cancer and money for oral cancer research and helps fund our many free public oral cancer screenings held throughout the year. Registration for both these events, as well as our CE courses, can found on our website (www.nassaudental.org) under Events and CE Calendar.
Newsmaker
Fluoride has been in the news quite a bit lately, including on the front page of Newsday in June. This two-page article discussed the ramifications to the public should fluoride supplements be taken off the market and featured comments from several NCDS, SCDS and NYSDA leaders.
Member Recognitions
Finally, I’d like to congratulate several of our members on their recent accomplishments.
• Past NCDS President Dr. Fabiola Milord was named co-chair of the New York Section of the Pierre Fauchard Academy. In addition, she received the LIJ 2025 Faculty of the Year Award.
• NCDS member Dr. Parul Dua Makkar had her article “My Journey with Oral Cancer Awareness” published in the “My View” section of the April 7 ADA News. In addition, she was a keynote speaker at the ADA Oral Cancer Summit in Chicago this past February. Dr. Makkar is chair of our Walk for Oral Cancer Awareness Committee.
• NCDS member Dr. William Jacobs has reached his 51st year as a member of NCDS and the tripartite.
• NCDS member Dr. Sheeba Kurian received the 2025 Attending of the Year Award from Cohen Children’s Medical Center (Northwell/LIJ).
• And, while not a personal accomplishment, NCDS past president Dr. Joe Brofsky’s son-in-law, Ethan Corson, who is a Kansas State Senator, has announced he is running for governor of Kansas.
SUFFOLK COUNTY
General Membership Meeting
Devin J. Klein, D.D.S., M.S.
Our May 7th General Membership Meeting was fantastic. The 115 members who attended were treated to excellent presentations by Dr. Kyle Reeves, Dr. Justine Inzero and Dr. Byung Nahm. Thank you to our generous sponsors MLMIC, Straumann, NeoBiotech, Haleon, DentaQuest, DDSMatch.com, Rivkin Radler, Komet, and LI Speech & Myofunctional Therapy, who were present for our members and supported the event.
Shredding Event
It was a windy day. And somewhat cool for our May 10th shredding event. Despite the weather, members came out
in large numbers, as did our volunteers (and their families). Some shredding arrived in vintage style, but it all left on a very full Datashred truck. Big thank you to sponsor MLMIC and those fantastic volunteers!
Seminar Series
The second in our Seminar Series took place on May 14. Attendees were treated to an engaging and informative presentation by Celin Arce, D.D.S., M.S., FACP, and Amanda Piche, D.D.S. The prosthodontist and periodontist, respectively, contributed to a wellrounded 7-MCE day. All attendees, sponsors and speakers were provided with breakfast and lunch.
Feedback on the course and venue was excellent. Big thank you and shoutout to Henry Schein Dental (Giana McKeough) and Dr. Laurence Schwartz Dental Office Coverage and Consulting for their sponsorship and support.
Stony Brook SDM Awards
Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine held its awards ceremony on May 20. We were honored to be present to see so many talented students and faculty being recognized for their accomplishments.
Farmingdale Hygiene Pinning Ceremony
SCDS Treasurer and Past President Steven Feigelson was honored to present the Farmingdale Hygiene School Outstanding Dedication awards to deserving students during the school’s pinning ceremony on May 21.
That same day, Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine graduated members of the Class of 2025. Congratulations to grads and best of luck in your future endeavors.
NYSDF Screening at LI Ducks Game
On May 23, the New York State Dental Foundation organized a free oral health screening at the Long Island Ducks game at Fairfield Properties Ballpark. ADA member dentists Drs. Paul Leary, Scott Firestone and Robert
Trager were on hand to deliver care. Thank you to NYSDF Executive Director Stacy McIlduff for arranging this event and helping with its conduct and to the Henry Schein Cares Foundation for its support.
NYSDA House of Delegates
The New York State Dental Association held its annual House of Delegates Meeting May 30-31. Highlights of the meeting included awarding of the Dr. Mark J. Feldman Distinguished Service Award to SCDS member Dr. Guenter Jonke, re-election of member Dr. Paul Leary to the post of NYSDA SecretaryTreasurer and the beginning of Dr. Martin Dominger’s term as NYSDA Trustee. The House passed several important initiatives. Dr. Maurice Edwards was sworn in as NYSDA President. And SCDS delegates, alternate delegates, friends and guests enjoyed a meal together.
Annual Golf Outing
Great weather helped make our 25th annual golf outing on June 11 a success. More than 90 members and guests enjoyed the day out at the Willow Creek Golf and Country Club. We appreciate the support of our fabulous sponsors, led by Dandy, Damianos Realty Group, Henry Schein Dental, MLMIC, Premier Endodontics, Rivkin Radler, Straumann and Tangredi Endodontics.
A big thank you also to DDSmatch. com, Fuoco Group, Garfield Refining and Sound AC, with donations by Dr. Efraim Zak/Island Orthodontics, Nappi’s Nook, Sean Sanders/Muttontown Club, Samantha Panzarino Realtor, Dr. Peter Pruden and Joe Schwan, CPA. Last but not least, we thank our volunteers and the Golf Committee for their leadership.
Hope to see you all out there again next year.
Dental Resident Orientation
Our Dental Resident Orientation Luncheon at the Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine took place on June 26. We met this talented and ambitious group of residents and spoke with them about the benefits and importance of ADA membership. The luncheon was cosponsored by our colleagues at the New York State Dental Association.
Leaders from Suffolk County Dental Society were on hand, including past president Dr. Patricia Hanlon, Vice-President and New Dentist Chair Dr. Devin Klein and Board member Dr. Matt Hanna, who shared their professional experiences. We look forward to supporting these new doctors in the journey.
New Dentist Summer Social
Another successful new dentist Topgolf outing on July 30 attracted nearly 40 attendees. Warm colleagues, cold drinks and solid barbeque fare were enjoyed, as were all the elements of Topgolf. A big thank you to our sponsors, Bank of America, MLMIC, TargetRock Wealth Management and Straumann.
A Big Kindergarten Welcome
On July 31, it was wonderful to join the good folks from HealthFirst at the 4th annual Kindergarten Welcoming for the Central Islip School District, hosted at the Mulligan Elementary School. The kids (Class of 2038) were engaging, curious and fun. A big thank you goes out to our Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine pediatric residents Dr. Ronni Lipnitsky and Dr. Daniel Bakhadj, as well as SCDS Past President Dr. Scott Firestone, who were on hand to help the kids and answer questions from parents.
We are grateful for the invite from our friends at HealthFirst. It is a pleasure to work with Carmen Cohen and the rest of the team. Thank you too to Christine Marsh at the Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine for helping to coordinate the event.
SBSDM D1 Orientation Luncheon
We were honored to welcome 46 firstyear dental students at the Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine orientation luncheon on Aug. 6. This luncheon, cosponsored by the New York State Dental Association and the Suffolk County Dental Society, gave us the chance to meet these future dentists. We were happy to provide a high-level overview of organized dentistry, but perhaps the best part was hearing from several of our leaders and members about their dental journey. On hand were Dr. Claudia Mahon-Vazquez, Dr. Jen Engelbright, Dr. Ivan Vazquez, Dr. Nick Vittoria, Dr. Guenter Jonke, Dr. Jeff Seiver, Dr. Brian Howe and Dr. Joseph Graskemper.
Thank you to our colleagues at NYSDA for their support, to the Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine for the opportunity, and to Joseph Franza and Daniella Zajac of the SBSDM for facilitating the event. They make it easy to do these things!
Don’t Miss a Thing
We continue to make a significant push to better communicate and connect with our members in methods that more easily integrate with their lifestyle. You can find us on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and Spotify, in addition to our traditional www.SuffolkDental.Org presence.
NEW YORK COUNTY
September General Membership Meeting
Egidio Farone, D.M.D.
The New York County Dental Society invites all members to join us for our Sept. 8 General Membership Meeting. This gathering is a great opportunity to reconnect with colleagues after the summer, share stories and catch up on what’s new in dentistry. We especially encourage early-career dentists to attend and use this meeting to build connections with experienced practitioners and gather valuable career advice.
The professional program will be presented by Pierre Wohlgemuth, D.D.S., clinical assistant professor in the Department of Endodontics at NYU College of Dentistry. Dr. Wohlgemuth will present “Cracking the Code of Cemental Tear: When and How to Treat?” and share his perspective on this condition from the viewpoint of an endodontic specialist. His insights promise to make the session both informative and engaging.
New Dentist Artisanal Chocolate Tasting
The NYCDS New Dentist Committee is excited to host its first-ever Chocolate Tasting on Sept. 15, an interactive and indulgent evening for guests to enjoy. Attendees will have the chance to sample fine chocolates from around the world while learning how to identify the distinct notes and flavor profiles that make each one unique. A chocolate sommelier will lead the experience, offering fascinating insights into the origins, production methods and artistry behind every piece.
To end the night on a fun note, there will be a round of chocolate trivia and an opportunity to win delicious prizes. We invite you to share the news and join us for this truly memorable event.
GNYDM Course Registration Now Open
The time has arrived. Registration for courses being offered at the Greater New York Dental Meeting is now open. This year, the GNYDM will offer more than 250 engaging lectures, along with a variety of hands-on workshops. The education program features seminars, interactive sessions, 10 specialty meetings, programs for hygienists and assistants, young dentist events, a brand-new main stage and much more. It’s an incredible opportunity to learn from world-renowned leaders in dentistry, so be sure to reserve your spot today.
This year’s program guide is now available in a fully digital format. This convenient version makes it easy to explore course details and exhibition highlights anytime, from anywhere.
Meeting Dates:
November 28th—December 3rd
Exhibit Dates:
November 30th—December 3rd
JACOB K. JAVITS CONVENTION CENTER 11th AVE BETWEEN 34th & 39th STREET
Give Kids A Smile NYCDS 2026
Join your colleagues (and bring your staff) and experience the rewards of volunteering for Give Kids A Smile NYCDS.
Help provide critical dental screenings and preventive fluoride treatment to 1,000+ elementary school students in East Harlem. It’s taking place on Feb. 6.
Upcoming Continuing Education Schedule
• 9/11 4–7 p.m.: “The Next Dimension: Cosmetics, Digital Dentistry, CBCT, 3D Printers and More. How Dentists Thrive Today,” with Dr. Susan McMahon (In-Person).
• 9/12 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.: “Veneer Planning and Preparation: Setting up for Successful Cosmetic Enhancement.” Workshop with Dr. Susan McMahon (In-Person).
• 9/17 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.: “Intuitive Endodontics.” Workshop with Dr. Anne Koch (In-Person).
• 9/25 6-8 p.m.: “The Good, the Bad & Compliance: Ignorance of HIPAA Can Mean Massive Penalties,” with Dr. Lorne Lavine (Zoom).
• 10/08 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: “Infection Control for the Dental Practice,” with Dr. Peter Mychajliw (In-Person).
• 10/10 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.: “Minimally Invasive Posterior Restorations.” Workshop with Dr. Amelia Orta (In-Person).
• 10/17 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: “Modern Approach of Integrating OAT for Sleep Apnea into Dental Practice,” with Dr. Maria Sokolina (InPerson).
• 10/20 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: Basic Life Support/CPR Certification Course (In-Person).
• 10/22 6:30-8:30 p.m.: “Think, Plan, Transition: Preparing Your Dental Practice for Sale.” (In-Person) (No CE Credit).
• 10/22 7-9 p.m.: OSHA-Mandated Update for Dentists and Staff “What
You Need to Know to Comply with the Law,” with Dr. Peter Mychajliw (ZOOM).
• 10/29 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: “Orofacial Pain—Pulling Back the Curtain,” with Dr. Lauren Levi & Dr. Asher Mansdorf (In-Person). New courses are added regularly so be sure to visit https://www.nycdentalsociety.org/ for the latest schedule.
BRONX COUNTY
Residents Night Out
Don Safferstein, D.D.S.
NYSDA and Bronx County held their annual Residents Night Out on Aug. 14. There was a great turnout as we welcomed new residents and dental students from the Bronx, Queens and Westchester. Thanks to Heather Relation and Kasey Bennett from NYSDA for doing an amazing job putting this fun evening together.
And thank you to our sponsors Bank of America, MLMIC, Aspen Dental, Care Credit and Alliant.
Fall Course Schedule
• Sept. 16: CPR Training-Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers. 6 p.m. Maestro’s Caterers.
• Oct. 28: “How to Attract New Patients in 2025 and Beyond,” by Dr. Josh Gindea. 6 p.m. Maestro’s Caterers.
• Nov. 18: “The Digital Denture Revolution.” Free dinner/lecture, sponsored by Dandy. 6 p.m. Maestro’s Caterers.
NINTH DISTRICT
Out for Health
Monica Barrera, D.D.S.
The 9th District Dental Association just held its annual “Health is Wealth” event at the Hudson River Waterfront Park in Tarrytown. Dr. Lana Hashim, chair of the New Dentist Committee, and Dr. Bhagwati (BJ) Mistry, chair of the Substance Use Disorder and Well-Being Committee, hosted this hugely successful event. The Latusion Food Truck was a big hit, and Dr. Mistry’s yoga positions and stretches were a welcome lesson in relaxation on stressful days.
Back to School
We have posted our fall CE course listing on the 9th’s website (www.ninthdistrict.org), ready to accept registrations. We’re providing a number of mandated courses this semester, including the final amendments to the child abuse course, as well as infection control, and Oral Cancer & HPV. We’re also providing a HIPAA-compliant cyberattack prevention course, provided by Southridge Technology.
Visit the website and register for these live webinars, providing your certifications for their completion.
General Meeting Gets New Home
We are also in the process of preparing for our upcoming September General Meeting. This year, we’re trying a new venue—the Westchester Manor, in Hastings-on-Hudson. Dr. Mahnaz Fatahzadeh will be presenting her “Orofacial Manifestations of System Disease” course, for which attendees will receive 7 MCE credits toward relicensure. Based on the number of daily registrations received so far, it appears that Dr. Fatahzadeh is a well-respected presenter. This should be a successful event.
The General Meeting is a good time to reach out to the 9th’s leaders to let them know how we’re doing for our members. We’re always interested in adding new voices—perhaps there’s a committee you’d like to join. And, as always, please feel free to reach out to your headquarters’ staff for help, advice or to share your thoughts and concerns, so we can be sure all our members’ voices are heard and their needs are met.
SEVENTH DISTRICT
Valuable Connections
Becky Herman, Executive Director
The Seventh District kicked off a new mentorship and leadership development program called “Spark Connections” on Aug. 19. The program, which doubled as an all-member social, was a great success. Three members shared personal stories about their mentorship journey. Then Dr. Nathan A. Smith, associate dean for research mentorship and associate professor of neuroscience in the School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Rochester, led a discussion of weaponized mentorship, the responsibilities of serving as a mentor and steps to finding the right mentor.
The program was followed by an all-member event with over 85 people in attendance at Rohrbach’s Beer Hall. Thank you to our sponsors, BMG, EDA, GRB, Henry Schein, Morgenstern DeVoesick, Patterson Dental, RTG Dental Lab, Straumann, Vision Financial Group and Walsh Insurance.
Volunteers Boost Local Health Fair
Members of the Seventh District and Monroe County Dental societies, including Drs. Katie Strong, Taylor Squires, Lisa DeLucia and Brian Lawson, along with Seventh District Executive Director Becky Herman, volunteered at the 15th annual Community Health Fair, hosted by the Rochester Jamaican Organization, on Aug. 16. They distributed goodie bags to kids and families that included a toothbrush and toothpaste, and information about proper oral hygiene and where to find a dentist.
Dental Advocates
Dental colleagues gathered with New York State Republican Senator and Minority Leader Robert Ortt on Aug. 7 to discuss critical issues impacting oral health and access to care in Western New York. The meeting was a testament to members’ belief in the power of advocacy and the necessity of standing together to speak with one voice.
The State of Dental Care
Dr. Sean McLaren, past president of the Seventh District and chief quality, compliance, and safety officer and medical director for the Eastman Institute for Oral Health, participated in an important panel exploring dental care that aired on PBS as part of a monthly series titled “CONNECT NY.” Other panelists included New York State Dental leaders, who spoke about the state of dental care, access challenges and possible solutions.
Welcoming Gesture
Aided by our generous sponsors—the ADA, Assured Partners, Crane Dental Lab, EDA, GRB, Henry Schein, NYSDA, TD Bank, Vision Financial and Walsh Insurance—the Seventh District and Monroe County Dental societies have begun to distribute welcome bags to new and lapsed members. District staff and MCDS Board members are visiting offices to hand deliver the bags and share information about events and activities available to them as members of the societies.
Sharing the News
Dr. Robert Buhite II, accompanied by district staff member Ms. Andrea Hughes, attended Monroe Community College’s Career Expo “Launching Futures in High Demand Fields” on June 16. They spoke with students interested in health care and shared information about the many career paths available in dentistry and the supporting role the district plays within the dental community.
FIFTH DISTRICT
Meeting in Central New York
Janice Pliszczak, D.D.D., M.S., M.B.A.
The Central New York Dental Conference (CNYDC) is taking place on Friday, September 12, at the OnCenter in Syracuse. The event has been scaled down, and there won’t be any in-person courses on Thursday night, as all are being offered online.
This year’s CNYDC course titles include “Lesions and Lifestyles – Is it HPV? An Oral Pathology Update for the Dental Team” in the morning and “Emerging Diseases: No Rest for the Wicked,” by Nancy Dewhirst, B.S., R.D.H., in the afternoon, as well as an all-day course “Mastering the Art of Successful Smile Design: Secrets that Help the Dental Team Motivate Patients,” with Dr. Hugh Flax.
There will be a dental marketplace (exhibit floor) open throughout the day. Information and registration can be found at www.cnydc.org.
Hygiene School Update
Construction of the dental hygiene clinic at Mohawk Valley Community College (MVCC) is moving along. Oneida County has issued the notice to proceed, and contracts can now be issued. The exact timeline will become clearer in the near future, but we are still hoping for a fall 2026 opening.
We’ve Got Your Smile
For the team at Belen Dental, giving back is more than a mission—it’s a promise. On Aug. 15, that promise came to life in a big way during the practice’s annual “We’ve Got Your Smile” event, where dozens of Utica residents received free dental care, thanks to the generosity of Dr. Belen, her staff and a dedicated group of 17 volunteers.
Throughout the day, patients were welcomed with open arms and offered their choice of a complimentary cleaning, filling or extraction. For many, it was their first opportunity in months— or even years—to receive much-needed dental treatment without the burden of cost.
The event was powered by the helping hands of hygienists, assistants, office staff and volunteers, who donated their time to ensure each patient received attentive, compassionate care. From early morning until the last appointment, the office buzzed with energy and gratitude. Approximately $17,600 of free treatment was provided. The “We’ve Got Your Smile” initiative has quickly become a cornerstone of Belen Dental’s community outreach, reminding Utica residents that quality care can—and should—be accessible to all. With plans to continue the event in the future, Dr. Belen and her team are committed to keeping Utica smiling, one patient at a time.
