About Brooker Memorial & Sun River Health

Maria Seymour Brooker Memorial is dedicated to building a stronger, more supportive community through its many offerings to support children and families. Brooker is a true community resource in our rural area, from childcare for children of all ages to their dental care center to programs for older teens. Brooker Memorial’s pediatric dental care programs, which just celebrated 30 years of service, provide high-quality oral health services to all children who come through their doors. Recognizing the need for children to have affordable and accessible oral health care, Brooker operates a dental practice at their location in Torrington and school-based oral health programs, two of which serve students in northwest Connecticut’s Region 1 and Region 7 (Botelle Elementary School).

Sun River Health, established in 1975, is an organization comprised of Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) that guarantees high-quality health care for all, regardless of the cost of services. Among Sun River Health’s wide range of healthcare services are several school-based oral health programs in partnership with Dover Union Free School District.

Our Work with Brooker Memorial & Sun River Health

In 2007, FCH partnered with Brooker Memorial to launch a school-based oral health program in Connecticut’s Region 1 School District. Then in 2021, Brooker expanded its reach to Norfolk’s Botelle Elementary School in Region 7. Meanwhile, across the state line in northeastern Dutchess County, New York, there wasn’t a school-based oral health provider. To help fill that gap, we supported Sun River Health (formerly Hudson River HealthCare) in establishing a local dental practice with the primary goals of launching a school-based oral health program. By 2012, Sun River Health officially launched its own program in the Dover Union Free School District.

In both programs, a dental hygienist brings care directly to students using portable equipment. In close coordination with school administration, faculty, and parents, the first visit includes a full exam to check the health of teeth, gums, and mouth. If needed, the hygienist provides dental sealants and other treatments whenever the child feels comfortable—right away or over multiple visits. Each year, these programs serve over 700 students, providing exams, cleanings, and preventive treatments like fluoride varnish, which helps strengthen tooth enamel.

The impact of these programs is critical because tooth decay remains the most chronic childhood disease in the U.S.—1 in 5 kids aged 5 to 11 has an untreated cavity. Cavities can lead to pain, infections, and trouble eating, speaking, or even sleeping. This, in turn, affects school attendance and performance. In fact, research shows that students with dental pain are more likely to miss school and struggle academically.

Despite the benefits and efficacy of preventable care, many children—especially those covered by Medicaid—face challenges accessing care, such as lack of dental insurance, difficulty finding dentists who accept Medicaid, limited awareness about oral health and available preventive services, and fewer dental care options in rural communities compared to urban areas.

By supporting school-based oral health programs, we’re helping to bridge these gaps, ensuring that more kids get the dental care they need to stay healthy, confident, and ready to learn.