The New York City Council, led by Speaker Gifford Miller, has awarded two new grants to NYUCD: a grant of $1.75 million for replacement and upgrading of equipment in the NYU Dental Clinics and a grant of $268,000 in support for the NYU Smiling Faces, Going Places mobile dental care program. The grants will expand access to care for those in need both at the NYU Dental Clinics and in underserved districts throughout the city.

Dean Alfano praised the City Council’s action, saying, “The New York City Council understands the urgency of our need to renovate NYUCD’s treatment facilities in order to preserve quality, affordable care for poor and low-income New Yorkers. While we are raising some of this money privately, we cannot raise it all. In addition, the fact that the City Council increased their support for our van program from $100,000 last year to the current grant of $268,000 reflects their recognition of the importance of providing additional care for the many New York City youngsters in need.”

Added Dean Alfano, “We are extremely grateful to Speaker Miller and the members of the New York City Council for their strong show of support for NYUCD, and we look forward to a new year of working together to reduce the number of New Yorkers who do not have access to essential oral health care.”