Tischler Dental Foundation

“Sharing a Smile with a Child and

 Lending a Helping Hand”

"This is going to make a big difference in the quality of life for a whole host of young children. It is going to be very strong and positive and going to accelerate the cause in this community. I am happy to be involved with this and do everything possible to make this as effective as possible"

Congressman Maurice  Hinchey D-NY

To donate to the Tischler Dental Foundation Click on the button below:

Through donating to The Tischler Dental Foundation by clicking on the Button to the left, your donations will go towards helping needy children in Ulster County receive the dental care they deserve. There are no salary positions in our foundation, everything is volunteered or donated, assuring monies donated will actually help children in need of dental care!

See Video and Pictures from our 2010 Foundation Benefit Concert Here

Congressman Maurice Hinchey D-NY speaking at the announcement of the Tischler Dental Foundation.

Speakers at the Press Conference announcing the Tischler Dental Foundation 1/29/10 (from left to right):

La Mar Hasbrouck, MD, MPH- Ulster County NY public health director

Philippe Petit- Academy award winner and tightrope walker

Heidi Maisch, RDH- Tischler Dental Lead Hygienist

Mike Hein- Ulster County Executive

Maurice Hinchey- Congressman D-NY

Michael Tischler, DDS- Founder of Tischler Dental Foundation

Ceci Escarra, DDS- PRASAD Childrens Dental Health Program

Swati Desai, DDS- PRASAD Childrens Dental Health Program

Press Conference Video Part 1 Click Here

Press Conference Video Part 2 Click Here

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Background information:
More than a third of all Americans lack dental insurance, according to a 2000 report of the U.S. Surgeon General. That’s 108 million people, two and a half times the number without medical insurance. Because dental care can be very costly and is paid out of pocket by much of the population — even those with basic health insurance — many people aren’t getting the care they need. The repercussions aren’t limited to problems with teeth. Neglecting teeth, besides causing pain, can have a variety of negative effects on health, ranging from malnutrition to a risk of respiratory infections among the elderly. Dental decay is also exacerbated by certain common diseases. Diabetes, for example, is linked to increased incidence of periodontal disease, infections of the gum that can lead to tooth loss, according to the American Dental Association. Medications can also affect oral health. Some prescription drugs can cause dry mouth, which promotes tooth decay. Marge Gagnon, a registered nurse at Kingston Hospital who also works under contract with Ulster County, said the gap in dental care is a huge issue in the region. Among those most at risk are children from low-income families. Many middle-class people who are trying to survive on reduced incomes are also neglecting to get the oral care they need because it’s so expensive, according to county health officials. Gap in care for low-income kids According to the county health department, many low-income children are covered for routine dental care under the state’s insurance program, Child Health Plus, as well as under Medicaid, managed-care Medicaid programs, and several HMOs serving Ulster County. Still, many kids aren’t getting the dental care they need. A 2003-04 study of third-grade children by the state health department’s Bureau of Dental Health was updated in 2009, with almost identical results. The percentage of kids who had cavities and untreated cavities was higher in Ulster County than the statewide average: 64.7 percent had cavities in Ulster County, compared to the 54.2 percent average state-wide, and 37.2 percent had untreated cavities, compared to 33.1 percent state-wide. A major problem is the lack of dentists in the region who accept Child Health Plus and Medicaid. According to a phone survey by the county in 2008, only eleven dentists out of a total of 92 listed in the county phone book accepted Medicaid recipients. Dentists who do accept Medicaid patients tend to do so sporadically, so consistent care is another problem, according to Stacy Kraft, public health education coordinator. She believes that only one clinic, Family Health Institute, now consistently accepts Medicaid recipients.
It is time to address a growing epidemic that impacts our community. There are underprivileged children in our area who have never seen a dentist, yet they live with pain and decay, and often can't chew their food properly. These same  children probably aren't smiling much either, whether it's due to being self-conscious or because they are in pain. This is a national problem, as noted by the U.S. Surgeon General, who has called dental disease " the silent epidemic"

To donate to the Tischler Dental Foundation Click on the button below:

For over forty years, the Tischler family has been serving the community by offering quality dental care. Through various efforts, we have been able to help some local underprivileged children, but now we want to take it to the next level.

Through an annual, music based fundraiser and art auction we hope to raise awareness and funds to help these children. Any and all funds raised will be directed to select organizations in Ulster County that will help the dental needs of underprivileged children. The Tischler Dental Foundation is a private ,not for profit organization that allows tax exempt donations under 511(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue code.

 

 Rainbow Sculpture by patient and artist Thomas Gottsleben. Tom is one of many Tischler Dental patients donating their art for our annual action to help children in Ulster County.

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Join our Tischler Dental Foundation page on facebook by clicking below

 

 

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We are also helping children through the annual give kids a smile program:

 

Each year on the first Friday in February, thousands of the nation's dentists and dental team members across the country in collaboration with the American Dental Association take time from their practices to provide free oral health care services to children from low-income families across the country.

  At Tischler Dental, Give Kids A Smile Program will now become an annual centerpiece to National Children’s Dental Health Month and will be observed every year on the first Friday in February. We are proud to be a part of this exciting effort to deliver free oral health services to low-income children in Ulster County New York. The program focuses on providing oral health education to children despite their economic status. We provide chair side education, prevention, and restorative care to low-income children who don’t have access to care.

Tischler Dental knows the ongoing challenges that disadvantaged families face in finding dental care. A positive dental experience in a Give Kids A Smile event introduces and inspires a child to have beneficial oral health habits that will last a lifetime.