News from NYSADC

Expanding Access to Dental Care for New Yorkers with Complex Care Needs

For many New Yorkers with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and other complex care needs, a trip to the dentist can be stressful—and access to care is often limited. Patients may face months-long waitlists and specialized needs that require more time in the chair, compounded by a shortage of providers trained to meet those needs. Recognizing these challenges, the New York State Academic Dental Centers (NYSADC) offers a fellowship program that gives recent graduates hands-on experience treating patients with I/DD. The result: more dentists equipped to deliver compassionate, skilled care, shorter wait times, and improved access in patients’ own communities.

Providers trained through this program incorporate thoughtful techniques—such as sensory-friendly rooms, calming color schemes, and music therapy—to help ease patient anxiety. These approaches are also used by practitioners at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

NYSADC President and CEO Jonathan Teyan and the University of Rochester’s Eastman Institute for Oral Health recently spoke with Spectrum News, showcasing the lasting impact of compassionate care and specialized treatment for this vulnerable population. The story highlights how these methods can transform patient experiences.

Watch the inspiring story here.

Touro College of Dental Medicine at New York Medical College: Rural India Benefits from Touro’s Dental Care

Touro College of Dental Medicine (TCDM) embarked on its first-ever dental mission to India on February 23-March 2, serving patients in rural communities who lack access to basic dental care. The mission team included two clinical assistant professors, Robert Weber, DDS, and Arvin Kadempor, DDS, along with third-year dental student Dan Avshalomov. Read more.

NYU College of Dentistry Honors Recipients of the President’s Volunteer Service Award

51 students and faculty who participated in the Global Outreach Programs received the President’s Volunteer Service Award in recognition of the 5,500+ hours of care they provided to underserved communities. Dr. Gerald Klaczany, clinical associate professor of general dentistry and comprehensive care, earned the Gold medal for exceptional service. Read more.

Dental Education

Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine: Students Advocate for Oral Health in Albany and DC

Behind the oral healthcare provided in operatories, emergency rooms and mobile clinics around the country are the conversations taking place in conference rooms and chambers at the local, regional and national levels. Like the mouth is the gateway to the body, its health is closely intertwined with a person’s overall well-being, making these visits, connections and cases crucial to the health of dentistry and the communities they serve. Read more.

NYU College of Dentistry: Welcoming the DDS Class of 2029 at NYU Dentistry

Last month, NYU Dentistry welcomed the DDS Class of 2029 with a neighborhood scavenger hunt, giving new students a fun way to meet their Academic Society members and start building connections. Read more.

Oral Healthcare Access

Columbia University College of Dental Medicine: In Order to Receive Lifesaving Treatment, Patients Must Go to the Dentist – CDM Faculty Member Laila Akhlaghi Screens Transplant Candidates for Oral Health

On television medical shows, organ transplants are the stuff of high drama. Patients are alerted to available organs by beepers; hearts, livers and kidneys are loaded onto charter flights and delivered to transplant centers where patients are prepped for emergency surgery. Read more.

University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine Professor Investigates Persistent Barriers to Adolescent Oral Health

While overall dental health among young children in the U.S. has improved over the last two decades, adolescents have not experienced the same gains. A recent study in Western New York led by Rubelisa Oliveira, DDS, assistant professor at the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine, is uncovering the reasons why. Read more.

Eastman Institute For Oral Health, University of Rochester Receives $2.1 Million to Expand Training and Public Health Initiatives

Eastman Institute for Oral Health (EIOH) at the University of Rochester has been awarded a $2.1 million federal grant to develop a community-based training model that addresses two critical areas: significantly increase the dental care in underserved communities and effectively train and expand the dental workforce to care for people with medically complex conditions and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Over the next five years, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) funds will help launch the Excellence in Clinical Education and Leadership for Specialty Dental Care (EXCEL). Read more.

Faculty & Student News

University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine: Three Oral Biology Faculty Members Recognized on International Stage

Three faculty members in the Department of Oral Biology in the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine were recognized among a cadre of top researchers at the International Association for Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research (IADR) General Session and Exhibition held in late June in Barcelona, Spain. More than 4,600 scientists and others representing 96 countries attended. Read more

Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine: Periodontist Gains National Distinction

Jeffrey Kopman, DDS, MMSc, clinical assistant professor in Stony Brook’s Department of Periodontics and Endodontics, was selected as a recipient of the American Academy of Periodontology’s Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring Award. The honor acknowledges periodontal educators who demonstrate excellence in teaching, inspiring and supporting students. Read more.

More News

NYU College of Dentistry PROHmotion Blog: “What New Dentists Need to Know”

The latest NYU Dentistry PROHmotion blog post addresses curricular changes dental schools might want to make to ensure our graduates function well in the current environment and adapt their practices in the decades ahead. Read more.

PBS’s TV series Connect NY featured The State of Dental Care, where an expert panel explored access challenges and possible solutions. Eastman Institute for Oral Health’s Dr. Sean McLaren, was one of the panelists, in addition to experts from NYS Dental Association, Finger Lakes Community Health, NY Dental Hygienists’ Association and School Based Health with the Basset Health Network. Read more.