Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther (D-Forestburgh) has introduced new legislation to expand access to dental and health care, as well as to encourage new dentists to work in underserved communities in our state.

"For many children and their families, access to health and dental care is unattainable because of geographic, economic and cultural barriers, compounded by a shortage of health and dental professionals in many rural areas," Gunther said.

Gunther’s legislation allows mobile clinics to work with school officials to provide comprehensive dental and health services to children and their families in all schools (A.9487). As a nurse, Gunther has treated children with dental conditions that have escalated because they were not able to afford preventive care. As an Assemblywoman, Gunther recently visited Liberty Elementary School and saw firsthand the benefits that PRASAD Children’s Dental Health Program mobile dental clinic offers. Some schools have been reluctant to embrace this important service because current law is unclear about whether mobile dental offices are allowed to operate at schools.

"Dental disease is preventable and treatable, yet it remains a national epidemic," Gunther said. "Mobile dental clinics are able to pull up to schools and begin work in minutes, all across New York. They provide excellent service to school children who would otherwise not get dental treatment."

To provide incentives for dentists to practice in underserved, usually rural areas, Gunther is also sponsoring the Regents Loan Forgiveness Program (A.9522). In exchange for forgiveness of student loans, dentists can set up practices in areas of the state where there is an urgent need for dental care.

"Shortages of oral health professionals in Sullivan County and across the state threaten the health care of children and families for decades to come," Gunther said. "Forgiving student loans is a reasonable incentive that benefits both the communities that desperately need the service, and the dentists burdened by student loans."

Gunther and the Assembly are working to enact a budget that improves New York’s health system. "I will fight for a budget that makes the right choices for Orange and Sullivan families, and will work to protect and improve access to health care that keeps our families healthy," Gunther said.