New York allocates $10 million to enhance dental care in 33 school-based health centers

ALBANY, N.Y. — The New York State Department of Health announced Friday that $10 million will be allocated to expand dental care services at school-based health centers and improve oral health outcomes for children statewide.

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According to Gov. Kathy Hochul, the initiative includes dental services that offer preventative and restorative oral health care, such as screenings, sealants, and treatments.

The dental services will be directly provided through:

Fixed sites located inside school buildings.Mobile dental clinics brought onto school property.Portable dental setups in designated spaces within schools.

“Our administration’s children’s health agenda is about ensuring that our youngest and most vulnerable have access to the care they need,” Governor Hochul said in a statement. “With this investment, we are meeting children where they are to provide dental services and set them on the path for a healthy life.”

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald, “Oral health is critical to overall health. Thanks to Governor Hochul’s leadership, we are supporting healthy habits and improving access to preventive dental care at an early age. Practicing good oral hygiene, including routine brushing twice daily and flossing, and having access to preventive oral health care can prevent or reduce tooth decay in children and positively affect their overall health.”

Governor Hochul says the funding will be used to:

Support dental service delivery, especially for students lacking access to regular oral care;Offset costs that are not covered by insurance and would have otherwise been billed to the patient or their caregivers;Cover staffing costs such as dental hygienist salaries;Fund the purchase of equipment and supplies necessary for dental operations;Expand service capacity and reduce cost barriers in underserved communities; andFoster health equity by improving access for students in low-resource settings.

33 school-based health centers across the state will received the funding over a five-year period. Operators who accept the funds will be required to:

Report on service delivery metrics, including those tied to dental service expansion;Submit documentation related to program impact, reach, and operational outputs; andTrack and share outcomes related to sealants, screenings, and treatments delivered because of this funding.