On a sunny Wednesday morning, September 23, local luminaries gathered at the Joseph P. Addabbo Family Health Center (JPAFHC) to celebrate the debut of their new pediatric dental service. The festive ribbon-cutting ceremony highlighted the more than 1,400 square feet of new space dedicated to pediatric dentistry, including four operatories with x-ray capabilities, all devoted to preserving and protecting the oral health of the neighborhood’s youngest residents.
The event began on a lighthearted note, as VP of Engagement & Strategic Initiatives Keisha Gilles introduced the Tooth Fairy, who flitted gleefully through the room with a sizable toothbrush in lieu of a wand.
“All jest aside, what we’re celebrating today matters. Families deserve trusted, high-quality care right here in the community. And at JPA, we believe every child deserves a healthy start,” Gilles said.
Congressman Gregory Meeks was unequivocal in his support of the project, for which he and his office have raised considerable federal funds.
“A ZIP code should never determine a child’s ability to grow up healthy,” Meeks said. “The $1.5 million in federal funding [raised so far] will help strengthen healthcare infrastructure, expand access to essential pediatric services – including dental care – and give children and families the opportunity to receive high-quality care closer to home. This is more than an investment in healthcare; it is about making good on our promise to the families in our community that their health will always be a priority.”
That sentiment was shared by Dr. Alan Friedman, DDS, who serves as the Chief Dental Officer at the center.
“Today is about much more than opening the doors to a new dental space,” Dr. Friedman said. “It’s about opening the doors to opportunity, prevention, to healthier futures – and to a community that deserves access to high-quality care close to home.”
JPAFHC Board Chair Betty Leon was effusive in her enthusiasm for the team’s fundraising and clinical care efforts in the heart of Arverne.
“As a federally qualified health center now…access is not simply about whether a service exists: it is about whether families can actually reach and afford and receive the care. So it’s not only about care, it’s about the family being able to afford it, getting the right care – and [now,] it’s right in their community,” Leon said.
JPAFHC CEO Renee Hastick-Motes proudly touted the expanded offerings of the practice.
“Our new pediatric dental space adds 1,400 square feet and 11 rooms, including four fully equipped dental operatories with X-ray capability, supported by advanced dental imaging, sterilization, and clinical technology,” she said. “But I don’t want us to measure this milestone only in square feet. The real measure of this investment will be for the children who receive the care.”
From a clinical perspective, Dr. Sergelyne Cadet-Valeus, the interim Chief Medical Officer, shared the team’s ambitions and goals for the new practice.
“What happens in a child’s mouth can affect nutrition, sleep, speech, development, school attendance, and overall wellbeing. Establishing good oral health early also gives children a stronger foundation of lifelong health. That is why today’s milestone is so meaningful,” she said.
The new Pediatric Dental Services expand access to preventive and restorative oral healthcare for infants, children and adolescents, including: examinations, cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants, oral health screenings and other dental care. An expanded pediatric suite adds capacity for pediatric care, complementing JPAFHC’s existing services, which include well-child visits, immunizations, sick visits, developmental screenings and adolescent care.
JPAFHC is located at 6200 Beach Channel Drive in Arverne. For info, call 718-945-7150.
