NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi | North Central Bronx (Jacobi-NCB) announced in June that its dental department has begun offering evening appointments, expanding to serve an additional 60 patients a week.

 

NCB officials said that since Aug. 1, dental appointments are available until 6.30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursdays at both the Jacobi and North Central Bronx campuses, a direct response to what they say is the reality that many working Bronx residents cannot access care during standard daytime hours.

 

They said the expanded schedule includes dedicated pediatric appointments on Tuesday evenings and adult appointments on Thursday evenings. Patients can schedule a dental appointment by calling (718) 519 3300.

 

Dr. Robert Margolin, chairperson of dentistry/oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS) at Jacobi-NCB, said, “We realized that some people work and may not be able to make traditional office hours, so we thought offering evenings would be a nice option for them.” Jacobi-NCB officials said the expansion also includes adding a new portable dental unit into one of the treatment rooms, along with plans to hire additional dental assistants.

 

They added that one of the most important changes is that dental care is now officially available for Women’s Health Services patients, and they are being brought directly into the clinic for treatment.

 

Margolin added, “Pregnant patients are especially prone to dental disease, they have more circulating hormones. It’s important for them to maintain dental health. Also, if the moms have any dental infection or bad cavities and wind up with pain or swelling, these could put the fetus at risk too.”

He continued, “Unhealthy gums are associated with low birth weight. It’s very important that we see these patients for checkups, cleanings, and to eliminate any potential sources of infection during pregnancy.”

 

Jacobi-NCB officials said the department currently operates five days a week, supplying a range of services including general and pediatric dentistry, oral surgery, laser dentistry, implants, root canals, and full-mouth rehabilitation. Emergency dental care is available daily.

 

“We’re always here to help,” said Margolin. “Check-ups every six months, cleanings, fillings, restorations, restoring every patient to health and function. That is what we are about.”

 

With substantial oral health needs in The Bronx, Jacobi-NCB officials said the hospital stands to gain from its growing capacity to serve its diverse, densely populated communities.