The Rural Dentistry Pilot Program with $371,000 in funding available as part of the 2016-2017 State Budget established by New York State Senator Catharine Young. The program provides access to oral healthcare for underserved children in rural areas through the University of Buffalo, School of Dental Medicine’s https://dental.buffalo.edu “S-Miles To Go Mobile Dental Program”.
The mobile dental unit features state-of-the-art technology including an EHR system and digital x-rays. As a result of the funding, the program has purchased portable dental equipment that can be transported to schools and Head Start sites prior to the arrival of the mobile dental van.
A dental hygienist uses the portable equipment to provide oral health screenings, cleanings, sealants, and fluoride treatments. Children who need fillings, extractions, or stainless steel crowns are treated on the mobile dental van or they are referred to a community provider.
According to a report produced by the University at Buffalo’s School of Dental Medicine in conjunction with the Rural Dentistry Pilot Program, 63 percent of the children seen on the mobile unit have untreated cavities and significantly higher cavity rates than third grade children throughout the state. Children seen on the mobile dental unit experienced a lower rate of having a preventive coating placed on permanent molars to prevent cavities.
The report also cited a lack of providers willing to treat children with state sponsored insurances such as (Medicaid and Child Health Plus). The shortage of dentists willing to treat young children was listed as a possible cause for the higher cavity rates and molar decay.
Since 2015, Senator Young has secured more than $871,000 to ensure access to critical dental health care through the Rural Dentistry Pilot Program and has also helped obtain $500,000 for the New York State Dental Association’s www.nysdental.org demonstration program.
Go to https://dental.buffalo.edu/CommunityOutreach/MobileDentalVan.aspx for information on the N.Y “S-Miles To Go Mobile Dental Program”.