Expanding Access To Pediatric Dental Care

A partnership between the UConn School of Dental Medicine's Department of Pediatric Dentistry and Brooker Memorial Pediatric Dental Center in Torrington, Connecticut is expanding access to dental care for children while providing UConn residents with valuable community-based clinical experience.

Brooker Memorial provides care to more than 4,800 patients annually from communities throughout Litchfield County, including many children covered by Medicaid/HUSKY who may face barriers to accessing dental care.

Through the partnership, two UConn pediatric dentistry residents provide care at Brooker Memorial each week under the supervision of Dr. Moises Salas, assistant clinical professor.

"The initiative improves access to oral healthcare for the Torrington community, connects patients with dental homes for ongoing care, and provides UConn residents with supervised community-based clinical experiences," Salas said.

The program has grown significantly. UConn residents cared for approximately 318 patients during the first year of the partnership and 723 during the second. Since July 1, 2026, they have already provided care to an additional 109 patients.

For the UConn residents, the experience combines clinical education with a deeper understanding of the communities they serve.

"The partnership between Brooker Memorial and UConn provides an invaluable learning experience for pediatric dental residents while meaningfully benefiting patients and the wider community," said second-year resident Dr. Anushka Parakh. "The program helps us develop essential skills in patient communication, understand the unique needs of children and their families, and deliver community-driven pediatric oral healthcare."

Brooker Memorial staff report that patients have responded positively to the residents, with some specifically requesting follow-up care with the same provider.

Community outreach is another important component of the collaboration. In November 2025, UConn residents performed dental screenings for 100 adults and children attending Hartford HealthCare's Medical Mission at Vogel-Wetmore School. In April 2026, they joined Brooker Memorial staff in screening children enrolled in EdAdvance's Head Start program in Torrington. Residents also participate in the Connecticut Mission of Mercy.

"Outreach has given me the opportunity to experience dentistry beyond the walls of the clinic," Parakh said. "It helped me better understand how limited access to dental care can affect individuals and families."

She said the experiences have also broadened her understanding of the pediatric dentist's role.

"Being a pediatric dentist involves more than treating teeth," Parakh said. "It means advocating for children, promoting prevention, building trust, and recognizing the community factors that influence oral health."

Brooker Memorial Executive Director Christina Emery said the partnership benefits both the organization and the families it serves.

"Having UConn residents provide care expands our capacity to serve patients while bringing additional clinical expertise and a commitment to patient-centered care," Emery said. "The residents become part of our community. They gain a deeper understanding of the barriers that some families face in accessing care, while our patients benefit from the compassion and enthusiasm the residents bring to each visit."

For UConn, the partnership provides residents with an opportunity to strengthen their clinical, communication and leadership skills in a community setting.

"The residents' learning outcomes and clinical skills have increased significantly," Salas said. "The experience also helps us evaluate the effectiveness of community-based dental care models and consider opportunities for future expansion."

"As a department, we have a responsibility to prepare pediatric dentists who not only provide excellent clinical care but also understand the communities they serve and the barriers families may face in accessing care," said Dr. Bina Katechia, chair of the department of pediatric dentistry at the UConn School of Dental Medicine. "This collaboration demonstrates what can be accomplished when an academic institution and a community organization work together toward a shared goal: expanding access to pediatric dental care while preparing future pediatric dentists to understand and respond to the needs of the communities they serve."