More than 50 Served at Capital Region Community Dental Event

October 14, 2024

More than 50 Capital Region residents received free critical dental care, including screenings, x-rays, pain management guidance and extractions at the second annual Capital Region Community Dental Event held on campus, Saturday, Oct. 5.

The college’s Dental Hygiene Department partnered with the New York State Dental Foundation and the New York State Dental Association to staff the event, which was held at the college’s Robert H. Hill II Dental Hygiene Clinic and in mobile dental labs provided by Kare Mobile.

The event was made possible by a sponsorship from St. Peter’s Health Partners.

After an initial oral health assessment, those in need of emergent care were referred to mobile dental vans on site, which were staffed by volunteer dentists. A community dental health coordinator met with patients to ensure they left with a follow-up care plan.

The Centers for Disease and Prevention (CDC) estimates only 65.5 percent of adults over the age of 18 have had a dental exam or cleaning in the past year. Community dental events highlight the importance of collaboration in improving access to dental care for the community’s most vulnerable populations.

“The Capital Region Community Dental Event is a day of compassion to relieve patients of discomfort and to share our continued commitment to health education and the foundational importance of good oral health,” said HVCC Dental Hygiene Department Chairperson Tammy Conway. “We were excited and honored to be a part of this event that fosters interprofessional collaboration and mentorship opportunities for our dental hygiene and dental assisting students.”

Working together, Hudson Valley dental hygiene faculty and students, NYSDA dentists, community dental health coordinators, and St. Peter’s Health Partners provided a critical link to enhance access to care and improve health outcomes.

In all, 63 current Dental Hygiene students, three Dental Assisting students and two Dental Hygiene alumni assisted during the daylong event. Faculty and staff from the department were also heavily involved.

“I would like to thank the following department members for their leadership roles in facilitating our event - Dr. Christopher Walsh, Assistant Professor Laura Tubbs, Education Specialist Kayla Koehler, Program Assistant Brittany Bonnell and Instructor Jena Iversen – as well as the entire Department of Dental Hygiene,” Conway said.

The New York State Dental Foundation is hoping to replicate this model and offer more community dental events across New York State in the future, with the philanthropic support of other community stakeholders like St. Peter’s Health Partners.