The Farmingdale State College (FSC) campus community is celebrating the new Henry Schein Cares Sensory Unit in Gleeson Hall. Carefully designed to support provider training and care for patients with special needs, the spacious room provides a sensory-controlled environment with a variety of extraordinary features for patients with learning difficulties, developmental disabilities, or impairments. The room is the latest addition to the College’s Dental Hygiene Care Center, which offers services to the community and enables students in FSC’s dental hygiene programs to earn clinical hours.
“With the generosity of Henry Schein Cares, we have been able to create a space for caring and teaching that’s unique to our region—in fact, the first on Long Island in a public-facing, educational clinical setting—where specialized health is accessible for so many who struggled to receive it,” said Matthew Colson, vice president of development and alumni engagement.
“People with autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorders, or heightened sensitivity can experience greater oral health care challenges, which are often associated with heightened responses to sensory input,” said Susan Vogell, EdD, chair of the Dental Hygiene Department. “Traditional dental offices have bright lights and loud sounds, which can be overwhelming and can cause the patient to experience anxiety or become uncooperative.”
With features such as interactive custom light effects, visual mobile relaxation devices, fiber- optic curtains, soothing wall art, portable equipment, and communication software for patients who are nonverbal, the Henry Schein Cares Sensory Unit is designed to help patients feel more comfortable and relaxed. Noise- canceling headphones, fidget toys, sunglasses, alternative seating, and calming music are also available to enhance a patient’s experience and ensure they receive the care they require.
Before its official opening this summer, the impact of the room’s quiet charm was clear when 6-year-old Emily Schall became its first patient.
“One of the biggest things was the year before, she could not, at all, handle the dentist,” shared Emily’s mother, Megan Goff. “But when we came here, they were able to do pretty much a full workup on her as well as clean her teeth. And for me, that was huge because I never thought that my child with special needs, with major sensory issues, could ever be examined in a billion years. She was able to sit in something other than a dental chair and play with the lights and get breathers when she needed it. Regular dental offices are just not able to give that.”
“This is a model for others to follow; it’s groundbreaking and very much appreciated on behalf of the community and parents.” Todd Schall, father of Henry Schein Cares Sensory Unit’s first pediatric patient
“We are so appreciative of Farmingdale State College and their outreach to children,” added Emily’s father, Todd Schall. “And this is just a step up, with the benefit of Henry Schein Cares, to bring about a more inclusive environment for children with special needs and without. This is a model for others to follow; it’s groundbreaking and very much appreciated on behalf of the community and parents.”
In addition to serving special needs populations, “we are educating our students to become more knowledgeable and competent clinicians,” said Vogell.
Emily ten Hoopen, ’25, who received an AAS in dental hygiene, shared that seeing the room come to fruition was a moment of deep pride.
“As students we’ve seen the effort that went into creating this room,” she said. “We could see it come together. It was really special to be part of the process and see the excitement in our professors. I think it’s so important to be inclusive and be able to give everyone the treatment that they need.”
For Justine DiPasquale, ’25, who received an AAS in dental hygiene, seeing the room open has been both “very refreshing and rewarding. This new facility is inspiring,” she said. “It’s unlike anything else that I have seen. It’s wonderful to be able to serve more people in a better way. And I think that as word spreads, it will have a ripple effect into the community.”
Colson agreed, “We are grateful to Henry Schein Cares for making the world gentler for so many patients, one visit at a time.”
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