For children and young adults with disabilities, routine dental care can be nearly impossible to access. Families often face long waits, providers who don’t accept their insurance, and a lack of dentists trained to meet sensory or behavioral needs.
This week, NYU College of Dentistry is changing that. Their pop-up clinic at the Center for Discovery in Sullivan County is bringing exams, X-rays, and preventive care directly to students — all at no cost to families.
“Many of our patients have been waiting months, if not years, to see a dentist,” said Eddie Rosenbaum, director of Global Outreach and International Engagements at NYU Dentistry. “We bring a trained team to the school, so students can get care where they are, without parents taking time off work.”
This marks the fifth visit by NYU Dentistry to the center. “Each trip, 50 to 75 students are seen over three days,” said Kerri Muzuruk, Chief of Education, Curriculum Design and Coordination at the Center for Discovery. “It’s an incredible opportunity for students — and for our own team to practice supporting them.”
The clinic uses sensory-friendly strategies to ease anxiety. Rosenbaum said the team customizes care based on each student’s preferences, using noise-canceling headphones, weighted vests, and fidget toys. Staff at the center also prepare students ahead of time, giving them repeated exposure to tools and procedures.
“Some students now hop right in the chair and even take X-rays — which would have been unimaginable two years ago,” Rosenbaum said.
Families have responded with gratitude.
“Bringing care to the school, with trained and compassionate staff, reduces stress for families,” Muzuruk said. “It’s been wildly appreciated.”
The initiative also prepares the next generation of dentists. NYU has been training students to work with people with disabilities since the 1970s and has expanded this model to other communities in Maine, the Dominican Republic, and Chile.
For more information about the programs, visit NYU Dentistry Global Outreach or Center for Discovery.
Image Credit: NYU College of Dentistry