The New York State Dental Association (NYSDA) today welcomed the inclusion of dental hygiene programs in the new SUNY Reconnect program, saying it will help address the state’s critical dental hygienist shortage.
“Our organization worked long and hard to ensure that SUNY’s six community college dental hygiene programs were included in the Reconnect program,” said Prabha Krishnan, DDS, president of the NYSDA. “More dental hygienists on dental teams will help increase access to dental care for more patients who need it, including those from underserved areas.”
SUNY Reconnect is supported by the New York State Education Department and made possible through funding from the New York State budget—a major legislative achievement to strengthen New York’s workforce through affordable educational pathways.
Dr. Krishnan added, “By incorporating dental hygiene programs into SUNY Reconnect, we will significantly expand our dental network to serve rural residents, seniors, people with disabilities and low-income groups.
These populations often face significant barriers to dental care, and while the program is not limited to any specific geographic requirements, more dental team members should help alleviate dental care shortages in these areas.”
SUNY announced last week that Reconnect will cover tuition and other expenses for SUNY community colleges for adults ages 25 to 55 who do not currently have a college degree. Adults who can enroll as early as this fall must be majoring in a field that SUNY has identified as being in urgent need of additional workforce.
Dental hygiene is one of the fields covered by Reconnect. SUNY offers six dental hygiene programs at its community colleges, including Erie College, Farmingdale College, Hudson Valley College, Monroe College, Orange College and SUNY Broome.
“Thanks to the efforts of New York State Education Department volunteers and others across the state, adult students can now pursue a degree for free,” added Dr. Krishnan. “Most importantly, as these students graduate, New York State residents who need health care will be able to get it.”
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