When One Door Closes, Another Opens NYSDA assembles team of volunteers to stage a day of dental care for displaced patients. Stacy Mcllduff, CFRE
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housands of patients have been displaced by the recent closure of two dental clinics in the Capital Region, leaving a significant void in oral healthcare services in the area, particularly for Medicaid patients. After the most recent closure, over 4,000 individuals received a letter notifying them that the dental doors they had long relied upon were closing, and, quite suddenly, they found themselves without a safety net for their dental needs. Amidst this unsettling backdrop, two remaining health clinics emerged as lifelines for the displaced patients, but the strain on existing resources was—and still is—palpable. These clinics, already committed to serving their communities, now face a surge of calls and visits from patients desperate for a new dental home. A dentist at one clinic noted that they receive an astounding 40 to 50 calls daily, with most patients seeking urgent and emergency care. Other callers are tacked onto a daunting waiting list of over 3,500 patients. This influx underscores the critical role dental professionals play in addressing not only routine oral health but also emergent situations that, when left unattended, can lead to more severe health complications.
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JANUARY 2024 . The New York State Dental Journal
A Day of Compassionate Oral Healthcare In response to the urgency of the situation, the New York State Dental Association (NYSDA) spearheaded the “Capital Region Community Dental Event” on Oct. 21 in the heart of the Capital Region—forces rallying together to address a critical gap in dental care access. It was also an act of solidarity and a means of relieving pressure on people in crisis. “In an effort to assist the patients who had been displaced, we thought we could work together to plan a service day,” said Greg Hill, NYSDA Executive Director. “We knew it would be a great way to help these patients in need of completing active treatment plans and assist them in connecting with dental health homes.” It took a true team effort to bring together the professionals and resources necessary for a day dedicated to providing free dental care to those who needed it most. Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) hosted the event on its Troy campus, and its dental hygiene and dental assisting students performed patient screenings in their clinic. With Dental Demonstration Project (DDP) grant funding from New York State, NYSDA contracted with Kare Mobile to
