Greater demand for dental clinic by YNN

FALLSBURG, N.Y. -- It may not be the place most kids look forward to, but for many in Sullivan County, getting on board the dental bus has become a privilege for all the wrong reasons.

"Many times, we see patients with some neglect and actually we make access of care much easier for them," dentist Chhaya Shah said.

"Fifty-one million school hours are lost every year because of dental diseases," said PRASAD Program Administrator Dr. M. Cecilia Escarra.

That's why PRASAD Children's Dental Health Program brings the clinic to the patients.

"They told me to brush my teeth every day," one child said.

"All I have to do is get her out or the nurses can get her out," said Synovia Tisdale.

And Escarra says the need is greater than ever.

"People sometimes have insurance that not all the providers accept also it's a county without almost no public transportation," Escarra said.

The clinic serves thousands of kids throughout the school year. And with few other options available for those who come to the dental bus, folks here say that makes the community support that much more crucial.

"Anything that we can do support the funding to continue certainly will have us stand side by side with PRASAD," said Fallsburg Superintendent Dr. Ivan Katz.

PRASAD's leaders are hoping more people out there feel the same way. Because the program gets part of its funding from donations, leaders say now ramping up a campaign to make sure there's enough money to bring the service to anyone who needs it.

"Since we are here, there children are taken care," Shah said.

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Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• PRASAD
• Children's
• Dental
• Health
• Program