Senator Catherine Young (R-Olean)
ALBANY – New York Senator Cathy Young (R, I – Olean) wants to see more dentists across New York State.
On Wednesday, the Senate passed Young’s Bill entitled “Dentists Across New York.” The legislation would help to increase the number of dentists in regions throughout the state by expanding the successful “Doctors Across New York” program and enabling dentists to be recruited and receive incentives to work in communities lacking
dentists.
Young says a severe shortage of dentists in under-served areas of the state has left many New Yorkers without access to care.
State health officials say that 24 counties, most of them rural, have emerging dentist shortages, with only one dentist for every 3,000 residents. The Health Department estimates that the state needs an additional 371 dentists to fill the current void.
Oral diseases left untreated can lead to a number of health problems, some of which can even be life threatening.
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