The Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine (SDM) took a major step forward in pediatric dental outreach with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 7 for its new Mobile Dental Care Center (MDCC).
The 45-foot clinic was made possible by a $750,000 grant from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation. The funding supports SDM’s mission to provide comprehensive dental care and oral health education to underserved children across Long Island.
Convenience Meets Critical Care
Patrick Lloyd, DDS, dean of the SDM, welcomed university leaders, faculty, staff, students, and local legislators to mark the launch. The mobile clinic allows SDM faculty, residents, and students to offer preventive care such as cleanings, fluoride treatments, and sealants, as well as restorative care including crowns and extractions.
“While people passing by might see it as a ‘dental office on wheels,’ it is far more than that,” Dean Lloyd said. “For many children, this will be their first dental experience. It can shape how they feel about visiting the dentist for the rest of their lives and influence their oral health habits from youth into adulthood.”
University Leadership Celebrates Impact
Stony Brook University President Andrea Goldsmith highlighted the mobile clinic’s role in the university’s broader mission.
“This unit represents Stony Brook at its best — combining education, advanced clinical care, and a commitment to serving those who need it most,” Goldsmith said. “Its impact will be measured not just in procedures performed, but in pain relieved, confidence restored, and health outcomes improved.”
William Wertheim, MD, executive vice president of Stony Brook Medicine, praised the outreach team’s efforts during the 2024-25 academic year. The team conducted more than 130 events at elementary schools, libraries, family shelters, Head Start and WIC programs, and community health fairs. Their work reached over 2,600 pediatric patients and provided oral health education to more than 13,000 children and adults.
“With this new mobile clinic, we will reach even more children and families in the years ahead,” Wertheim said. “This is an investment in the future well-being of our entire region.”
Enhanced Features for Better Care
The MDCC includes four extensions, creating more space and comfort for patients and practitioners compared to the previous mobile clinic. A new panoramic X-ray machine enables providers to assess dental growth and development for each child. Additionally, Starlink internet connectivity allows staff to update patient records in real-time, linking directly to the school’s Dental Care Center and Stony Brook University Hospital.
Gratitude and Vision for the Future
Rhona Sherwin, DDS ’78, clinical professor in the Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry and SDM’s director of pediatric dentistry outreach, expressed gratitude to the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation.
“Care that once seemed out of reach is now accessible,” Sherwin said. “Children and families in our community can finally receive the dental care they need. This facility is not just improving smiles — it is improving lives. None of this would be possible without the foundation’s generosity and belief in our mission.”
Building on a Legacy of Care
Stony Brook’s mobile dental program began in 2012. Since then, it has treated more than 4,000 patients and provided oral health education to thousands more. The clinic is a key part of the school’s mission to improve pediatric dental health equity on Long Island and in Dental Health Professional Shortage Areas across Upstate New York.