Scholarship Named for Special Care Dentistry Pioneers
From left, Dr. Robert Kroll, Chelsea Rajagopalan and Dr. Justin Stone.
When Drs. Justin Stone and Robert Kroll opened their dental practice in 1961, they knew that patients with disabilities had trouble finding dentists.
Most had little or no experience treating patients with special needs and many were too nervous or uncomfortable to attempt it. Outside of a handful of area oral surgeons, there were few dentists that welcomed people with disabilities or were equipped to treat them properly.
But Kroll and Stone spread the word that these were just the type of patients they wanted to help.
They built a thriving Essex County practice with a reputation for specializing in patients with disabilities, and after they retired, RSDM invited them in 1993 to open a clinic devoted solely to patients with special needs. In addition to offering treatment, they trained students until they retired as faculty. The clinic is now known as the Delta Dental of New Jersey Special Care Center and is one of the only clinics of its kind in the region. It treats patients with physical and mental disabilities, including cerebral palsy, autism and behavioral disorders. It also specializes in geriatric patients.
To recognize their efforts, an endowed scholarship for RSDM Special Care Honors Program students was created in their name with $100,000 from The Atlantic Philanthropies. The donation will allow for annual scholarships to be awarded in perpetuity to other students focusing on the special care population.
Last month, the inaugural scholarship was awarded to Chelsea Rajagopalan, who graduated this year and will pursue a residency at the Helen Hayes Hospital for patients with physical disabilities.
“Before I came to RSDM, I didn’t know that special care dentistry was a thing, that it could be an option for me or a route I could take,’’ Rajagopalan said at a ceremony attended by Kroll, Stone and their family members, friends and colleagues. “You are both an inspiration to me.’’
Dean Cecile A. Feldman recognized Stone and Kroll for their contributions to the school and the field of healthcare. “The seed you planted has really blossomed and grown,’’ she said.
Kroll and Stone met during their residencies at Martland Hospital in Newark. Before that, Stone became interested in treating special needs patients during his stint as a naval Dental Officer, when he was deciding on a career path. His remembers how his cousin, an anesthesiologist, described a local dental practice. “The office treated fearful patients using general anesthesia,’’ recalled Stone. “I visited there and found the practice to be interesting and making a significant difference in peoples’ lives.’’
As it turned out, Kroll shared the same desire to treat patients that other dentists avoided and the two went into business together.
When Kroll was asked why the duo was able to succeed as pioneers in the field, he was modest. “We’re both pretty empathetic people,’’ he said. “As professionals, we were sincere about what we did.’’
About the Atlantic Philanthropies
Over 35 years, Atlantic has made grants totaling $8 billion to advance opportunity, equity and human dignity. After establishing Atlantic in 1982, Chuck Feeney quietly committed to devote his wealth to the service of humanity. In keeping with Mr. Feeney's “Giving While Living,” big bet philosophy, Atlantic has invested in systemic change to accelerate lasting improvements for people in Australia, Bermuda, Cuba, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United States and Viet Nam. Atlantic completed grantmaking in 2016 and will conclude operations by 2020. To learn more, please visit: www.atlanticphilanthropies.org.
