Grant extends reach of UB dental van

UB’s in-demand S-Miles to Go dental program will expand its mission to provide dental services in underserved rural areas, thanks to a $200,000 grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, the national’s largest foundation exclusively serving New York State.

Responding to the increasing need for access to dental care among underserved children and families in Western New York, the program will provide dental care at school/Head Start sites via portable dental units and community centers utilizing the dental van. The dental van also provides experiential learning opportunities for students in Health Professional Shortage Areas of Upstate New York.

The program focuses on preventive care, including cleanings, fluoride application, oral hygiene instruction, nutrition counseling and sealant placement. The Mother Cabrini funding will restore preventive services to 17 schools/Head Start sites, returning the preventive program whole (serving 36 sites) and fund summer 2020 outreach events providing comprehensive dental care to veterans, older adults and low-income families/individuals.

The grant allows the popular S-miles To Go program to operate five days per week.

“We are pleased and honored to be selected by the Mother Cabrini Foundation to advance our mobile dentistry initiative in upstate New York,” says Stephen N. Abel, associate dean for student, community and professional initiatives in the School of Dental Medicine.

“This important funding allows UB to continue delivering critical oral health services to thousands of underserved populations inclusive of seniors and veterans.”

The S-Miles to Go dental van is a 42-foot-long, three-chair dental clinic outfitted with a panoramic X-ray unit, digital radiography, a sterilization center, wheelchair lift and electronic health record.  

Each year, the program provides a full range of services, including preventive and restorative treatments, and educational services to hundreds of underserved people in Western New York, particularly those in rural communities. The clinic has served Western New York for more than 20 years, providing more than 45,000 patient visits.

The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization with the mission to improve the health and well-being of vulnerable New Yorkers, bolster the health outcomes of targeted communities, eliminate barriers to care and bridge gaps in health services.

The foundation — named in memory of Mother Frances Xavier Cabrini, a tireless advocate for immigrants, children and the poor — provides flexible support for new and innovative approaches that enhance health and wellness across New York State.

The foundation seeks to promote, sponsor and support activities, programs and initiatives that enhance access to affordable quality health care and health care-related services across the state.

It is one of the largest foundations in the United States and the largest focused exclusively on New York State. It estimates awarding up to $150 million annually.