In September, Harvard University Health Services (HUHS) announced its Dental Service would close at the end of the year due to financial pressures amplified by the pandemic. The Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) announced that it will re-open the former HUHS dental practice under the direction of HSDM. The School is the only graduate school of Harvard to offer direct patient care and already operates dental practices within the Harvard Dental Center in the Longwood Medical Area.
Beginning in February 2021, HSDM will open the practice Harvard Dental Center-Cambridge located at 114 Mount Auburn Street. The practice will serve dental patients of the former HUHS practice, and also welcome new patients from in the surrounding community. A number of providers and staff previously employed by the HUHS Dental Service are anticipated to continue working in the practice.
“The HUHS Dental Service was well-regarded by its patients and served many members of the Harvard community including employees, students, and retirees for more than 50 years. I am delighted that we will be able to offer oral healthcare to these patients and welcome new patients in Cambridge and the surrounding communities,” said School of Dental Medicine Dean William V. Giannobile.
“This is a unique opportunity for us to fill a critical gap in care at a time when continuity of oral healthcare and maintaining overall health is so vital. It is also very much at the heart of HSDM’s clinical and educational mission,” he added.
Under the direction of HSDM, the scope of dental services offered in the former HUHS clinic will be expanded to include specialties such as oral surgery, implant dentistry, orthodontics, prosthodontics and other specialties not previously available at the HUHS clinic. The clinic will also accept additional insurance plans broadening access to the greater Cambridge community.
“We are incredibly grateful to our dental patients, past and present, who have trusted us with their care for over 50 years, and we are thrilled that HSDM will continue to provide exemplary services to our community,” said Harvard University Health Services Executive Director, Giang T. Nguyen.
The practice will offer HSDM residents—dentists in Advanced Graduate Education programs—additional opportunities for patient care and specialty training in Cambridge under the supervision of HSDM faculty.
“With a proud history of more than 150 years of excellence in dental education, I’m confident that we are well-positioned to bring a high level of care and expertise that has always been associated with our School and its mission. Our faculty, staff and residents have shown great dedication in providing care in our practices throughout the pandemic, and we look forward to this exciting new endeavor,” Giannobile said.
