The Dental Internship Program at the Center for Special Dentistry served two purposes:

1. To provide dental care for those who could not afford it.

2. To train dental school student interns in a real-world, super premium multi-specialty cosmetic and reconstructive private practice.

THIS PROGRAM IS NOW CLOSED TO NEW PATIENTS. SORRY NO EXCEPTIONS.

For over ten years our program matched individual patients with one of our dental school student interns from either Columbia University School of Dentistry or New York University College of Dentistry.  It was the only private dental practice in New York State wherein selected dental school students could treat patients for reduced fees with the patients informed consent.  This dental work was supervised by our Faculty Dentists.  Patients had the option of being treated solely by Faculty Dentists at our regular fees.  Sometimes more complex cases were completed by both Faculty and students.

Patients could typically expect fee reductions of about 40% and sometimes up to 80% depending upon the procedure.  The procedures available to be performed by dental interns were limited at the discretion of the Faculty Dentists.

This program existed as a public service.  It was not associated with any managed care program.  This program offered the uninsured an attractive alternative in a quasi-academic environment.  A financial dental plan, with prearranged monthly payments, was also available for pre-qualified patients.

Our program could serve as a model to address fundamental flaws in American health care education and delivery.  It is believed that health care education should be offered to interested students in high school and college and that these students should be on a health professions fast track towards their graduate degree.  These students should be offered jobs during high school, college and medical/dental school in which they will be given increasing responsibilities in health care delivery to alleviate labor shortages and to help underserved populations.  This work-study approach would also greatly reduce the debt many students face upon graduation from medical and dental school.

THIS PROGRAM IS NOW CLOSED TO NEW PATIENTS BUT STILL SHOWN HERE FOR HISTORICAL PURPOSES ONLY.  Interested patients may schedule a consultation in our office; please request a Student for this initial consultation – and bring x-rays if possible – to reduce costs.  The number of patients and the type of cases accepted into this program are limited.  Patients who do not qualify may be referred to a local New York dental school for treatment.

For Free or Reduced-Fee Community dentistry please visit either website: Columbia University Dental School or NYU Dental School.

Students who want to learn about our Pre Dental School Education Program or our Advanced Dental Education Program (for dentists or dental students) should visit our Office Staff section.