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Dental site director at The Wright Center appointed to state oral health advisory group
Dr. Caitlin McCarthy, left, examines a patient at The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton. The dentist was appointed to a state advisory group.
Dr. Caitlin McCarthy, local site director of the Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency Program at The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education and a practicing dentist dedicated to expanding access to oral health care in Northeast Pennsylvania, has been selected to serve on the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Oral Health Program Oral Health Plan Advisory Group.
Dr. McCarthy was appointed to a two-year term from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2028, and will represent Pennsylvania’s provider sector. She was selected to help guide the implementation of the Pennsylvania Oral Health Plan 2020-2030, a statewide framework focused on improving oral health outcomes, reducing disparities, strengthening the oral health workforce, and expanding access to preventive and restorative dental care.
The Oral Health Plan Advisory Group provides recommendations to the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Oral Health Program regarding priorities for implementing the state’s oral health plan and champions initiatives designed to improve oral health across the commonwealth. The advisory group includes representatives from multiple sectors involved in oral health promotion, education, policy, clinical care, and public health.
“I am honored to serve on the Oral Health Plan Advisory Group and contribute to efforts that improve oral health across Pennsylvania,” said Dr. McCarthy, of Jenkins Twp. “Every patient deserves access to high-quality oral health care, regardless of where they live or their circumstances. I look forward to working with colleagues from across the commonwealth to help advance solutions that strengthen our dental workforce, expand access to care, and improve health outcomes for all Pennsylvanians.”
A Scranton native and West Scranton High School graduate, Dr. McCarthy received her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and completed a General Practice Residency at Lehigh Valley Health Network’s Muhlenberg Hospital. She earned a bachelor’s degree from The University of Scranton, graduating with dual majors in biology and biomathematics while also completing minors in biochemistry and English. During her undergraduate years, she was inducted into five honor societies, consistently earned dean’s list recognition, and participated in an international service trip to Guyana.
Dr. Caitlin McCarthy
Building her career around serving the communities that shaped her, Dr. McCarthy joined The Wright Center in 2019 and played a key role in launching dental services at The Wright Center for Community Health Scranton, located in South Side at 501 S. Washington Ave., Suite 1000. Since then, she has provided comprehensive dental care to a diverse patient population, including many individuals and families who face barriers to accessing routine oral health services.
Her daily work gives her firsthand insight into issues that remain significant challenges throughout Pennsylvania, including workforce shortages, affordability concerns, access barriers for Medicaid recipients, and disparities in oral health outcomes among underserved populations.
In addition to her clinical responsibilities, Dr. McCarthy also serves as local site director of The Wright Center’s Advanced Education in General Dentistry Residency Program, offered through a partnership with New York University Langone Health Dental Medicine. In this role, she helps train and mentor future dentists while supporting community-based dental education and workforce development initiatives throughout Northeast Pennsylvania. Her leadership reflects The Wright Center’s integrated approach to improving community health by simultaneously expanding access to high-quality oral health services and strengthening the future dental workforce through community-based training.
“Dr. McCarthy’s selection to the Oral Health Plan Advisory Group is both a well-deserved recognition of her expertise and a reflection of the meaningful contributions she continues to make to oral health care in our region,” said Kimberly McGoff, director of dental operations at The Wright Center. “As an exceptional clinician, respected educator, and dedicated advocate for accessible, patient-centered care, she understands firsthand the opportunities and challenges facing both patients and dental professionals. Through her leadership in clinical practice and dental residency education, she has helped improve access to care while shaping the next generation of oral health providers. Her experience, insight, and unwavering commitment to service will make her a tremendous asset to this important statewide effort to strengthen oral health outcomes for all Pennsylvanians.”
