A simple smile is the best reward Harry Goodman says of the years he?s put into public health and dentistry.
As head of the University of Maryland Dental School?s operations board, Goodman and his team of dental students, hygienists and residents offer oral health to more than 100,000 of Maryland?s most needy residents each year.
“It?s important because there is a recognized problem that those who are poor are the traditionally underserved population, and we have a responsibility to meet that challenge,” Goodman said.
This week, the Dental School is opening its new $142-million facility featuring state-of-the-art clinical equipment. The clinic, at 666 W. Baltimore St., is located next to the facility?s former location on the university?s downtown Baltimore campus. On Monday, other school officials were participating in the move and unavailable for comment.
While poor and underserved children often are eligible for dental treatment through the state?s Medicaid program, adults often fall through the cracks. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Health Care Research and Quality reported that the Maryland?s Medicaid program stopped offering dental treatment for adults in 1993.
“You can come by any day from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. and see them lined up because they have no other place to go,” Goodman said. “For adults, we will provide emergency pain relief services.”
While services for adults are not free, “we do the best of our ability to provide treatment to everyone who walks in the door,” he said.
“For me, as a dentist, there is no greater outcome than a smile,” he said. “I am proud to say that I and a lot of other folks are part of an effort to help a lot of poor kids be happy and just be kids out on the playground.”
More information
» For information on the Dental School?s program, call 410-706-7101, or call 410-706-4213 for an appointment.
