S5339

The New York State Senate passed legislation Tuesday to address a critical shortage of dentists in underserved areas across the state. Senate Print 5339, sponsored by Sen. Fahy, would establish a loan repayment and practice support program for dentists who agree to serve in rural communities and underserved urban areas. The bill passed on a 53-0 vote. According to Fahy, approximately 161 areas in New York State lack adequate dental access, and the state is short roughly 500 dentists needed to meet current standards. She noted that only one in five dentists accept Medicaid patients, citing low reimbursement rates that are often 40 percent of what private insurance covers. Fahy pointed to Montgomery County as an example of the crisis, where only 19 registered dentists serve a population of 50,000 people—a ratio of one dentist per 2,600 residents. The legislation is modeled on the successful Doctors Across New York program and aims to incentivize dental professionals to practice in areas with limited access to care.