Tonko Tours HHC, Includes Dental Expansion Project in Federal Funding Push

Thursday, June 3, 2021 -- Hometown Health Centers (HHC) was pleased to host US Congressman Paul Tonko today at its 1044 State Street location in Schenectady. The longtime congressman toured our state-of-the-art dental suite.

Tonko recently announced a slate of 10 community development projects in the Capital Region, which he submitted to the House Committee on Appropriations in a bid to bring federal investment to the area under the committee’s new community project funding process. As stated in his April 29 press release, the Congressman is “doing all that he can to bring federal dollars home that are needed to ignite our recovery and bring these deserving projects to life” and HHC's "Dental Expansion for the Underserved" is one of these development projects. The federal dollars will support an effort by HHC to develop a new dental program, which will greatly expand capacity to meet the demands of its patients and the many children and families who will transition to HHC’s new facility.

Earlier this year Ellis Medicine announced plans to close its dental health program. Due to this pending closure, HHC and Ellis Medicine have been working together to ensure a smooth transition for dental patients. HHC will become the only Medicaid dental provider in Schenectady County, providing care for an estimated 18,000 dental patients. With this transition comes the need for a larger dental clinic, additional dental equipment and increased staffing. Through this expansion, HHC will be able to continue providing excellent dental care, oral surgery, and school-based preventative dental health care to a larger population.

HHC appreciates Congressman Tonko’s time and commitment to help with this much needed expansion project.