HHC Urges New Yorkers to Seek Pediatric Dental Health Services
Feb 01, 2012
The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) reminded New Yorkers today of the importance of pediatric oral health and encouraged parents to schedule regular dental check-ups for their children. In recognition of National Children’s Dental Health Month, HHC will be offering affordable pediatric dental health services as well as educational materials at its hospitals and health centers across the city.
“A healthy mouth correlates with a healthy body. Having healthy teeth is a life-long commitment that begins in childhood,” says Dr. Sheldon Stachel, Associate Director of the Department of Dentistry at Woodhull Medical Center. “We encourage our young patients to keep a healthy mouth by brushing their teeth, flossing and having regular dental screenings.”
Dental care is available to children and adults at most HHC hospitals and large health centers all year round. HHC dental services include preventive and restorative care; crowns, bridges and implants; oral surgery, emergency care, and jaw surgery and reconstruction. HHC pediatricians and dentists follow the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommended guidelines, which encourage that every child see a dentist by age 1 and then schedule regular check-ups approximately every 6 months to a year after that.
In observance of the national recognition month and this special focus on children’s oral health, on Friday, Feb. 3, Jacobi Medical Center will offer any infant, child or adolescent from local low-income families presenting for their pediatric appointment free dental services ranging from screenings and cleanings to application of Fluoride treatment.
Other HHC services and events include:
- Bellevue Hospital Center- Will be focusing on Dental Health Literacy and handing out age appropriate books to both parents and children which cover a variety of dental issues. Books are available in both English and Spanish.
- Cumberland Diagnostic and Treatment Center- Free dental screenings and ten raffles for dental sealants. Wednesday, February 22 from 2-6:30pm in the Lobby.
- Harlem Hospital Center- Free dental screenings for kids under 17 years of age.16 West 137th Street, between Lenox and 5th Avenue on the second floor of the Women’s Pavilion. Friday, February 3 from 9am-4pm.
- Jacobi Medical Center- Any infant, child or adolescent from local low-income families presenting for their pediatric appointment will be offered free dental services ranging from screenings and cleanings to application of Fluoride treatment. Friday, February 3.
- Metropolitan Hospital Center- Information on children’s oral health and dental services will be available in the hospital’s main lobby on Thursday, February 23, from 8:30am to 12:30pm.
- Queens Hospital Center- Information on children’s oral health and dental services will be available in the hospital’s main lobby on various days throughout the month.
Contact : Ian Michaels (HHC) (212) 788-3339
About HHC
The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) is a $6.7 billion integrated healthcare delivery system with its own 420,000 member health plan, MetroPlusHealth, and is the largest municipal healthcare organization in the country. HHC serves 1.4 million New Yorkers every year and more than 475,000 are uninsured. HHC provides medical, mental health and substance abuse services through its 11 acute care hospitals, five skilled nursing facilities, six large diagnostic and treatment centers and more than 70 community based clinics. HHC Health and Home Care also provides in-home services for New Yorkers. HHC was the 2008 recipient of the National Quality Forum and The Joint Commission’s John M. Eisenberg Award for Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality. For more information, visit www.nychhc.org/hhc or find us on facebook.com/NYCHealthSystem or twitter.com/NYCHealthSystem.