NYU College of Dentistry has received a $5.48 million grant through the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities to expand its Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities, with a focus on increasing access to care for children and adolescents and strengthening care delivery across the lifespan.
The funding, awarded as part of OPWDD’s Regional Disability Health Clinic Program, will support the creation of dedicated space for pediatric patients with disabilities and enhance care transitions from childhood to adulthood. The project is part of a broader statewide initiative announced by New York State that includes 30 awards totaling $25 million to expand healthcare access for people with developmental disabilities.
“NYU College of Dentistry has a long history of and commitment to improving oral health for people with disabilities. This expansion underscores our commitment to providing care across the lifespan, ensuring that young people with disabilities can receive the services they need and, most critically, maintain a ‘dental home’ as they grow into adulthood,” said Charles Bertolami, DDS, DMedSc, the Herman Robert Fox Dean of NYU Dentistry.
The Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities, opened in 2019, is an 8,000-square-foot treatment facility designed to provide comprehensive care for patients whose disabilities prevent them from receiving treatment in conventional dental settings. The center includes accessible operatories, sensory-adapted lighting and sound features, and two on-site sedation suites. In the past year, its interdisciplinary team treated nearly 2,900 individuals and delivered more than 25,000 procedures.
“Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, we are tackling the difficulties people with developmental disabilities face in accessing comprehensive healthcare from a qualified professional in a setting that is appropriate to their needs. Initiatives like the expansion at NYU Dentistry’s Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities will open literal doors for people who, for far too long, have been shut out of the equitable and quality healthcare they deserve,” said Willow Baer, commissioner of the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities.
The expansion will include renovation of space within the NYU Pediatric Dentistry Clinic to add eight private treatment rooms for pediatric patients with disabilities, increasing the number of dedicated treatment rooms from nine to 17 and expanding capacity for pediatric care. The design includes larger operatories to accommodate caregivers and mobility equipment, a sensory-adapted waiting area, a multisensory room to reduce anxiety, and consultation space for interdisciplinary services such as social work, nursing, and nutrition, as well as virtual pre-visit consultations.
“As New York’s Chief Disability Officer, I’ve seen firsthand multiple times just how special the Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities at NYU Dentistry really is," said Kim Ridley, New York State Chief Disability Officer. "They’ve created something truly remarkable, a place where children and adults with disabilities can receive compassionate, high-quality dental care in an environment that actually understands their needs. This kind of dedicated 'dental home’ is still far too rare, and it makes a real difference in people’s lives. I’m thrilled that Governor Hochul’s investment in Regional Disability Health Clinics will help expand this important work. It’s exactly the kind of progress we need to see more of across New York.”
The project also addresses a documented gap in access to dental care for individuals with disabilities, including barriers related to physical accessibility and availability of trained providers. In New York City, more than 980,000 people are living with a disability, including more than 67,000 children.
“Too many people with disabilities lack access to basic healthcare needs such as dental care. NYU’s Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities addresses this need by creating an accessible treatment center and training practitioners on how to serve this population. I congratulate NYU on this investment of $5 million and thank Governor Hochul and the Office of People with Developmental Disabilities for recognizing the importance of expanding oral healthcare for people with disabilities,” said State Senator Kristen Gonzalez.
“I’m very proud to have fought for state funding for NYU Dentistry’s Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities—and am thrilled it has been awarded,” said New York State Assemblymember Keith Powers. “There’s a huge gap in access to dental care for people with disabilities, due to the lack of accessible offices and dentists trained to treat patients with physical or behavioral issues. This $5.48 million grant will expand the center to help ensure that people with disabilities can get the care they need without having to be referred to hospital operating rooms for simple procedures.”
“Kids with disabilities often face greater oral health issues, but the earlier that they can see a dental provider, the greater the likelihood that they will have less significant dental disease as they age. Engaging children in care sets them on a path for better oral health across their lifespan,” said Amr Moursi, DDS, PhD, professor and chair of pediatric dentistry at NYU Dentistry.
The expansion is also intended to support coordinated care between pediatric and adult providers, helping address challenges that arise as patients transition out of pediatric dental care. Additional clinical space will support expanded training opportunities for dental students, residents, and practicing clinicians in treating patients with disabilities.
“Increasing our capacity to treat individuals with disabilities will continue our mission to train the next generation of dental providers to practice with competence and compassion in caring for this population,” said Bertolami.
“Under my administration, we’re taking steps to close the health equity gap for New Yorkers with disabilities,” Governor Kathy Hochul said. “This funding allows New York’s providers to make life-changing upgrades to facility equipment and space to address some of the most difficult dental and preventative health access needs. This is innovation at work as we create a more inclusive New York for all.”
Additional officials expressing gratitude in the statewide announcement include State Senator Samra Brouk; Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon; Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson; and Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal.
NYU College of Dentistry, founded in 1865, educates nearly 10 percent of the nation’s dentists and provides oral health care services across New York City. The institution also supports research, clinical training, and continuing education focused on improving care delivery for diverse populations, including individuals with disabilities. More information is available at dental.nyu.edu and opwdd.ny.gov.
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