Eastman Institute for Oral Health / About Us / Community Involvement / Helping People with Special Needs / Steering Committee

Steering Committee

Maricelle Abayon, D.M.D., M.S
Assistant Professor, Eastman Institute for Oral Health
Lawrence Belle, Ph.D
Grant Project Coordinator
Karen Black
Public Relations, Eastman Institute for Oral Health
Onolee Block
Special Olympics International
Lenora Colaruotolo, M.S.W.
Social Worker, Eastman Institute for Oral Health
Ann Costello
Director, B. Thomas Golisano Foundation
Lisa DeLucia, D.D.S.
Pediatric Dentist, LEND Fellow
Doug Fisler
Heritage Christian Services
Sangeeta Gajendra, D.D.S., M.P.H., M.S.
Gary Goldstein, D.D.S.
NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, Task Force on Special Dentistry
Adela Guset, D.D.S.
Resident, Eastman Institute for Oral Health
Susan Hetherinton, M.S.
Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities
Brian Klafan
CEO, CP Rochester
Dorota Kopycka-Kedzierawski, D.D.S., M.P.H.
Associate Professor, Eastman Institute for Oral Health
Jay Kumar, D.D.S., M.P.H.
Assistant Director, Bureau of Dental Health, New York State
Wayne Lipschitz, D.D.S.
Associate Professor, Eastman Institute for Oral Health
Elizabeth Mamo, M.L.S.
Librarian, Eastman Institute for Oral Health
Cyril Meyerowitz, D.D.S., M.S.
Grant Project Director
Andrea Pedersen, R.D.H.
Dental Hygienist, Eastman Institute for Oral Health
Laura Robinson, M.P.H.
Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities
Elizabeth Sheen, R.N.
Monroe, Monroe ARC
Richard Speisman, D.D.S.
Chief, Department of Dentistry, Rochester General Hospital
Patricia Stege, D.D.S.
Finger Lakes Developmental Disabilities Services Office
Stephen Sulkes, M.D.
Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities
Nirmala Tasgaonkar, B.D.S., M.S.
Assistant Professor, Eastman Institute for Oral Health

Contacts

Did you know?

Dental care is cited as the leading unmet healthcare need among individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities.

Several factors contribute to poor oral health and hygiene, including

physical limitations

complex medical conditions

behavioral issues

increased incidence of early decay.

Other challenges, including transportation, insurance and small number of available dentists who can accommodate the unique needs of this population.

Eastman Institute for Oral Health is a world leader in clinical care, research, post-doctoral education in general and pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics, and oral surgery.

The B. Thomas Golisano Foundation is one of the largest private foundations in the nation devoted exclusively to supporting programs for people with developmental disabilities so that they may achieve their maximum potentials by integrating independence, self-determination, and productivity into all facets of their lives.