If your family relies on Medicaid for your children’s dental needs, it may be practically impossible to find a dentist who accepts that form of insurance in Sullivan County. The good news is that the nonprofit PRASAD has a solution.

According to PRASAD Children’s Dental Health Program, “Poor oral health has negative consequences that go beyond unhealthy teeth. It can impact a child’s ability to study, eat and sleep properly, as well as lower their self-esteem. Nationally, children lose 51 million school hours each year because of dental problems.”

For 26 years, PRASAD Children’s Dental Health Program has been improving the dental health of children by providing affordable, comprehensive dental services to thousands of low-income children annually in Sullivan County. The mobile clinic travels to elementary schools and schedules ten to fourteen children per day via parent sign-ups coordinated by the school. It is also available during some school vacations at its office in Liberty, located at 25 Sullivan Avenue.

On Wednesday, Nov. 11, the organization held its annual event to celebrate the prior year’s accomplishments and to rally for the year ahead. Executive Director Dr. Cecilia Escarra said, “We hold this event primarily to raise awareness in the community as well as to thank our donors and raise funds.” Several board members from the Sullivan County Chamber of Commerce attended, along with Rachel Steingart from Assemblywoman Paula Kay’s office, and representatives from Sullivan 180, including founder Sandra Gerry. The Fallsburg Lions Club presented a check for $500 to support PRASAD’s work.

Steingart has advocated for the mobile clinic since when she first toured the clinic van 27 years ago. “I wasn’t expecting what I saw,” she said. “It looked like a luxury dental suite. It was the first mobile clinic in Sullivan County and it showed the community what you can do if you put your mind to it. This is something our community really needs. We need to get behind them!”

Three people are needed to run the mobile clinic – a dentist, a driver and a dental technician. Dr. Escarra reported that it costs about $400,000 to run the children’s dental program each year.

“We collaborate with schools, dentists, supporters, the public health department and, more recently, with Sullivan 180,” Dr. Escarra said. “Our goal for next year is to reach even younger children, working with school partners, Sullivan 180 and the public health department. We couldn’t do it without all of our staff, trustees, Advisory Committee and supporters.”

If you are a parent or guardian of a child in Sullivan County, you can enroll your child via PRASAD’s application at school or by calling 845-434-0376. The Children’s Dental Health Program accepts most dental insurance plans and serves children from low-income families.

Reporter Jameson Barrera conducted the interviews for this story.