On November 14, 2022, the Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy, Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC), NYS Head Start Collaboration Office, NYS Department of Health, Governor’s Office of New Americans, NYS Developmental Disability Planning Council, and NYS Council on Children and Families hosted an Early Childhood Oral Health Summit for 130 participants. The Summit, held in Albany, was followed by a virtual meeting and survey to determine recommendations for policy change to improve the oral health of young children in New York. 

Recommendations from Summit participants fall into two categories:

1.New York State should provide more technical assistance to programs and providers working with young children to help families improve early childhood oral health. Summit participants wanted to learn how to improve the oral health of the children and families they serve. Many wanted information and training resources to increase the oral health knowledge of their staff and the families in their programs. Participants also wanted guidance on incorporating information into staff training, family services, curriculum, and case management.

2.New York should implement strategies to increase access to oral health services for children birth through age 5. Access to oral health preventive and treatment services is a continual concern for parents, educators, and health providers. The lack of dental providers who see young children was a top concern of Summit participants along with excessively long waiting times when a provider was available.