North Shore-LIJ launches dental van

A new dental van will be traveling in parts of Queens and Long Island, providing dental care to uninsured children and adults.
The van is part of the United Way of Long Island and North Shore-LIJ Health System program “Mobile Health Long Island.” It was purchased following a $450,000 donation from the Horace and Amy Hagedorn Long Island Fund. The New York State Health Foundation has also given a $979,000 grant to assist with funding.
“Dental care is a frequently neglected healthcare service for children and adults without insurance,” said North Shore-LIJ Health System President and CEO Michael J. Dowling. “Through our partnership with United Way of Long Island, North Shore-LIJ is fulfilling a major community health need, which is part of our core mission as Long Island’s largest healthcare provider.”
The 38-foot-long van will have two dental chairs. North Shore-LIJ will be providing the staff, which will include a full-time dentist, dental hygienist, dental assistants and rotating dental residents.
“It provides residents with basic dental services, including cleaning, x-rays and fillings,” said Ronald Burakoff, DMD, the Chairman of Dental Medicine at the North Shore-LIJ Health System.
The New York State Health Foundation will cover 18 months worth of operations.
The van will travel in Hempstead, Central Islip, Bay Shore, Brentwood, and Riverhead. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, it will be in Bay Shore at the Family Service League’s Iovino South Shore Family Center. On Mondays and Wednesdays, it will be in Hempstead at the Hagedorn Community Center.
The van will also go to different “naturally occurring retirement communities.”