May 14, 2026
Baltimore City DSS, UM School of Dentistry Partner to Brighten Healthy Smiles For Youth in Foster Care
Baltimore, MD — The Baltimore City Department of Social Services (BCDSS) today announced a new formal partnership with the University of Maryland School of Dentistry (UM SOD) to ensure children and youth experiencing out-of-home care receive timely access to high-quality dental care services in Pediatric Dentistry Clinics. The partnership took effect on May 11, 2026.
The initiative directly addresses longstanding challenges that can make dental care inaccessible or unavailable for BCDSS youth in out-of-home care, including issues with finding providers who accept Medical Assistance for payment, scheduling conflicts and long waitlists. As many as 1,400 children and youth stand to benefit from the arrangement. BCDSS is funding a part-time dental provider at the UM SOD Pediatric Dental Clinic to exclusively oversee dental services for Baltimore City youth placed in out-of-home care. Having a dedicated provider will minimize scheduling wait times and ensure youth receive consistent, routine dental care.
“This partnership directly addresses the systemic barriers our most vulnerable youth face in accessing basic healthcare. By funding a dedicated dental provider and streamlining coordination, we are making sure foster care youth receive timely, high-quality dental services essential for their overall health and self-confidence. We are committed to strengthening access to essential care and improving outcomes for youth in out-of-home care—work that truly makes a difference,” said Baltimore City Department of Social Services Director Brandi Stocksdale.
UM SOD is the world’s first dental college and is a leader in dental education, research, and public health service. As Maryland’s only academic dental school and a major provider of Medical Assistance dental care, UM SOD houses its Pediatric Dentistry clinics at the school’s Baltimore campus, where dental trainees provide care under close supervision of experienced faculty.
“The University of Maryland School of Dentistry is proud to step forward as a dedicated Medical Assistance and Healthy Smiles provider to support Baltimore City’s foster youth. Our facility is fully equipped, and by working directly with BCDSS, we can deliver prompt routine, urgent, and emergency dental services, leveraging our capacity and expertise to serve this critical public health need,” said Mark A. Reynolds, DDS, Dean and Professor of the University of Maryland School of Dentistry.
For more information and interview requests, please contact the Maryland Department of Human Services Communications Office or the UM SOD Office of Marketing and Communications.
