Need for Special Care Dental Providers Could Still Lead to Resources for RSDM

Dr. Glenn Rosivack, chair of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Community Health

Dean Cecile A. Feldman is hopeful that permanent funding for RSDM’s special care clinic will be approved this year.

A 2019 bill sponsored in the state assembly and legislature, which would have added $250,000 to the clinic for one year, received overwhelming bi-partisan support but was ultimately vetoed by Gov. Phil Murphy in December. Murphy suggested representatives seek approval through the regular budgeting process, which could potentially allocate funding on a permanent basis.

“I’m pleased that our elected officials, and the public, recognize the overwhelming need for resources to provide dental care for those with special needs. And I’m optimistic that this heightened awareness will result in much-needed support for our patients,’’ said Dean Feldman.

RSDM’s Delta Dental of New Jersey Special Care Center, which logged nearly 5,000 patient visits last year, is one of the only dental clinics in the region that treats patients with disabilities, including those on the autism spectrum, patients with cerebral palsy, geriatric patients and many others.

But because there is a critical shortage of dentists who can treat those with special needs, RSDM patients often have to wait months for a non-emergency appointment.

John Barnosky, the father of an RSDM special needs patient, as been a strong advocate for supporting special care dentistry. He was also optimistic that funding would eventually be approved. “We just need more time, that’s all,’’ he said.

In addition to providing care to patients with disabilities, RSDM trains the next generation of dentists to work with them. All RSDM students are required to do a rotation in the special care clinic.