May 22 2003

NEW BRITAIN -- Dr. Gordon Holder knew just whom to call when he needed advice or a dentist capable of handling a difficult case involving a child. Dr. Donald Greiner, a well-respected pediatric specialist practicing in New Britain for more than 30 years, was always willing to lend an ear or his expertise.

Holder, director of the dental clinic at the Community Health Center, was one of many colleagues Wednesday mourning Greiner, who died of an apparent heart attack May 15 while hiking in the Galapagos Islands with his wife, Carol. He was 65.

"I was really shocked when I heard the news," said Holder. "The loss is immense."

An Ohio native who moved to Connecticut in 1970, Greiner devoted his career to promoting better access to dental care for the poor and disabled. A professor of pediatric dentistry at the University of Connecticut, he opened a dental practice in New Britain in 1973.

One of only a few local dentists willing to accept Medicaid patients, Greiner persuaded the Hospital for Special Care to sponsor a community dental clinic for low-income area families in 1997. For more than 20 years, he also treated patients at an on-site dental office at the hospital.

"I don't know if he's going to be replaceable," said Dr. John Votto, president and Chief Executive Officer of the Hospital for Special Care. "He was one guy who would always take care of people no matter what."

A past president of the New Britain Dental Society and a member of numerous other national, regional and state professional groups, Greiner also was active in various statewide advocacy organizations. He served on the board of the Connecticut Oral Health Initiative, a nonprofit advocacy group, and with the state Department of Public Health developed "Open Wide," an initiative to educate pediatricians, day-care providers and other professionals to recognize the early signs of dental problems.

"He was a great teacher in the movement to try to get quality, affordable healthcare for low-income people," said Robert Slate, executive director of the Connecticut Oral Health Initiative. "Don was one of those who felt a huge commitment to kids and was a real role model."

Since opening six years ago, the dental clinic Greiner established in New Britain has treated more than 8,000 children, Votto said. Just this week, a change in a state law that Greiner lobbied for was passed by the legislature. Under the amendment, aimed at helping disadvantaged and underserved children, HMOs will be required to cover hospital costs when oral surgery in a hospital setting is needed.

Greiner, a Farmington resident, was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hiking and skiing and also attending the opera. He supported the Special Olympics and during the International Olympic Games in New Haven in 1995 screened some 5,000 athletes and made 2,500 mouth guards.

"He was a compassionate, caring individual," said Dr. Howard Mark, a clinical professor of oral surgery at the University of Connecticut School of Dentistry and a longtime friend. "If you needed something, he was there."

"You can't imagine what a loss it is to everybody," added Dr. Fredric Google, a Newington dentist who worked with Greiner at the Hospital for Special Care. "He was such a giving person. He did so much for dentistry in this state."

Copyright 2003, Hartford Courant (Republished with permission)