Bulletin of Dental Education Article

Eastman Institute for Oral Health (Eastman Institute) at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) was awarded a $2.1 million federal grant to develop a community-based training model that addresses two critical areas: significantly increase the dental care in underserved communities and effectively train and expand the dental workforce to care for people with medically complex conditions and intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Over the next five years, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) funds will help launch the Excellence in Clinical Education and Leadership for Specialty Dental Care (EXCEL). Key elements of the EXCEL program include the following:

• Two-year Dental M.P.H. Degree/Dental Public Health Residency - In collaboration with the URMC’s Department of Public Health Sciences, this enhanced residency program will integrate a Master of Public Health curriculum with clinical rotations. The program will include substantial clinical training in settings dedicated to treating vulnerable populations in the community, equipping residents with the skills to design, manage and evaluate oral health programs and surveillance systems.
  

• General Dentistry Specialty Care Fellowship - Fellows will train at URMC’s Complex Care Center and Golisano IDD Institute and at EIOH’s Golisano Specialty Care Clinic.
  

• Oral Health Resource Center - The Center will advance interprofessional education, oral health literacy and culturally responsive care while addressing social determinants that drive inequities.
  

“EXCEL directly tackles critical workforce shortages by preparing dentists to serve in community-based organizations and high‑need areas,” said Sangeeta Gajendra, D.D.S., M.P.H., M.S., EXCEL Project Director and EIOH Professor. “Ultimately, this program will improve health outcomes and quality of life for thousands of children and adults who have too often been overlooked.”

“HRSA’s investment in our EXCEL program underscores the trust they have in Eastman Institute for Oral Health as a leader in dental education and care for people with medically complex needs,” said Eli Eliav, D.M.D., Ph.D., EIOH Director. “More than 40% of our patients have a complex disease or medical condition that typically cannot be treated elsewhere due to a shortage of specialty care dentists.”

EIOH is the region’s largest safety‑net provider, delivering more than 190,000 patient visits annually, 65% of which are covered by Medicaid.

Increasing evidence links oral disease with conditions like cardiovascular disease, diabetes and pregnancy complications. The goal of the EXCEL program is to create a sustainable model of care that can be replicated across the country. EXCEL will lead to improved access, better care and healthier outcomes for a growing and aging population.

“This grant builds upon the enormous success that URMC has demonstrated with dental and medical collaborations and community partnerships,” Dr. Eliav added. “We’re grateful to HRSA’s commitment to help close health care gaps and advance innovative solutions.”

Working with Dr. Gajendra are Adela Planerova, M.U.Dr., M.S., as Assistant Director, and Kristin Eklin, M.B.A., EIOH Senior Strategic Planner and Grant Writer, who will provide project management.

HRSA and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) provided financial support for this project. The award totaled $2,168,554. This story’s contents are the views of the author. They may not reflect the policies of HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.

Courtesy of the University of Rochester Medical Center Eastman Institute for Oral Health

Published on August 13, 2025