oral health

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Dentistry Today

The gag reflex is a natural and necessary defense mechanism. But in the dental office, it often becomes a barrier, not just to patient care, but to staff well-being, efficient scheduling, and overall practice performance. What might seem like a minor issue can be actually far more disruptive than many oral hygiene practitioners may realize…

…In my own conversations with dentists and practice managers, they often point straight to margin loss and profitability issues when it comes to scheduling delays and staff burnout. When a patient gags repeatedly during an x-ray or impression, the appointment may need to be rescheduled or extended significantly. That extra time cuts into a provider’s schedule and, in many cases, results in lost revenue.

And the impact isn’t just financial. A 2023 study from the University of Albany reported that nearly 80% of oral health providers reported some level of burnout.3 For dental teams already stretched thin, consistent disruptions from gag reflex issues only make things more complicated.

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Medical Xpress

Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) are a crucial component of the dental safety net and provide oral health services to those who might not otherwise have access to needed care, including low-income individuals, the uninsured and Medicaid beneficiaries.

A new study from the Oral Health Workforce Research Center at the University at Albany’s Center for Health Workforce Studies examined factors influencing the delivery of oral health services at FQHCs. The findings, recently published in the spring issue of the Journal of Public Health Dentistry, shed light on how workforce capacity,  and Medicaid policy shape access to  for underserved populations across the United States.

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CBS 6 News WRGB Albany 

Albany, NY (WRGB) — A new study from the University at Albany’s Oral Health Workforce Research Center has identified a concerning link between inadequate oral health care and complications during pregnancy. The research highlights the need for increased awareness and access to dental services for expectant mothers.

“Less than half of pregnant women actually seek oral health care,” said Dr. Simona Surdu, the director of the Oral Health Workforce Research Center at UAlbany. “And that was kind of like a very big red flag for us.”

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News 10 ABC

A new study, conducted by researchers at University at Albany’s College of Integrated Health Sciences, shows poor dental hygiene during pregnancy can increase the risk of dental diseases and pregnancy complications. According to the college, the study was done using Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System data between 2016 and 2020.

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Bioengineer

ALBANY, N.Y. (March 20, 2025) — In a groundbreaking study conducted by researchers at the University at Albany’s Oral Health Workforce Research Center, a significant public health concern has emerged regarding the oral health services accessed by pregnant women in the United States. Despite the known benefits of oral health care during pregnancy, fewer than 40% of expectant mothers report seeking preventive dental services. This alarming statistic highlights a crucial gap in maternal health and reveals the potential consequences of neglecting oral health during this critical period.

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Spotlight News

Oral health plays a critical role in a person’s overall health and well-being, yet many New Yorkers face limited access to the oral health services they need. Identifying where these needs are most acute can help guide resource allocation to fill service gaps.

A new report, released by the Center for Health Workforce Studies at the University at Albany’s College of Integrated Health Sciences, indicates that improving access to oral health services in New York State requires a broader understanding of oral health needs and the challenges that underserved populations face.

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Crain’s New York Business

New York is opening the floodgates for more medical providers to administer fluoride to kids as President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration floated a proposal that could limit access.

Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a law on Saturday allowing dental assistants and licensed practical nurses to apply topical fluoride treatments to kids’ teeth – a treatment previously left up to providers such as medical dentists, pediatricians and dental hygienists. The law, which goes into effect immediately, attempts to open new pathways for children to get treatments that can prevent cavities and tooth decay, as workforce challenges and high costs create barriers for individuals and families to access the treatment from their dentist.

The law will expand the number of providers statewide who can give fluoride treatment to kids, combatting workforce challenges that have created long waiting lists for dental care, said Jean Moore, director of the Center for Health Workforce Studies at SUNY Albany. The law may help kids access preventive oral care in school clinics, federally qualified health centers and pediatricians’ offices, Moore said, and comes as the incoming federal administration has raised a proposal that could undermine efforts to administer fluoride in public drinking water.

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News Day

Fluoride treatments to teeth are now legally allowed to be applied by more types of health professionals, under legislation signed late this week by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Effective immediately, under a dentist’s supervision, registered dental assistants and licensed practical nurses can also provide the treatment, a fluoride varnish, which helps prevent tooth decay and strengthens tooth enamel. Parents and guardians under the supervision of a licensed provider can also apply the treatment…

…There are parts of the state in which two-thirds of the population live in high needs areas for oral health, according to a study published in July by the Center for Health Workforce Studies School of Public Health at the University at Albany.

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Spectrum News

A recent study by the University at Albany highlights significant gaps in oral health services across New York state, identifying 31 high-need areas, primarily in rural regions. The research, conducted by the Center for Health Workforce Studies, analyzed 15 sociodemographic indicators to assess needs across all age groups.

Dr. Jean Moore, the study’s lead researcher, noted that the biggest barriers include the ratio of dental professionals to the population and the availability of services for Medicaid patients and the uninsured.

“We looked at indicators related to the population, disability, pregnancy, and education level,” Moore said.

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