HHC Receives $4 Million from Legislature for New State Street Dental Practice

Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022 -- Hometown Health Centers held a press conference today announcing it's received $4 million in federal coronavirus-relief funds to convert a former Rite Aid building at 1108 State Street into state-of-the-art dental practice.

The event was attended members of the Schenectady County Legislature, which unanimously approved the amendment in its 2023 Operating Budget. Congressman Paul Tonko, who earlier this year secured $750,000 in federal appropriation for the community project, was also on hand. The new dental practice is expected to open in the spring.

“These county funds bridge the gap between what we’ve already spent and what it will cost to make the new facility operational,” said Joe Gambino, CEO, HHC. “HHC won’t have to borrow or use any of its own money to finish the project.”

In July 2021, Ellis Hospital stopped providing dental services at the hospital’s 600 McClellan Street Health Center Campus (site of former St. Claire’s Hospital). HHC worked with Ellis to transition 9,000 adults and children to its growing dental roster.

“There’s a strong demand for dental services in Schenectady County and no one is currently offering oral surgery consistently for the Medicaid population,” said Gambino. “Since we couldn’t accommodate all of Ellis’ patients at our 1044 State Street office, we temporarily leased space at Ellis to ensure their dental patients would not suffer from any gaps in care.”

In August, 2021, HHC purchased the former Rite Aid building, located at the corner of State Street and Brandywine Avenue, and made plans to retrofit the 12,500-square-foot space into a modern dental facility offering the latest digital technology.

“We developed the construction plans and architectural designs, as well as handled all of the necessary regulations,” said Gambino. “The only thing we’re waiting for is sign off from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.”

“This new dental clinic is going to be a game changer for medically underserved residents from Schenectady and surrounding counties for generations to come,” Gambino continued. “The space will double our capacity and give us 30 exam rooms to offer pediatric dental care, general dentistry and, most importantly, oral surgery.”

Founded in 1972, HHC provides high-quality, cost-effective primary healthcare to 20,000 patients each year, regardless of their insurance status or their ability to pay. The nationally recognized health center offers comprehensive primary medical, dental, and behavioral health services at its Schenectady facility. Primary medical care is provided at its Amsterdam facility.

For more information, please visit HometownHealthCenters.org.