Links for Volunteerism Opportunities
CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS FOR ORAL HEALTH
In NJ you can assist children is obtaining needed oral healthcare - volunteer and/or contribute with:
The Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact is now active in eleven States and is NOW being considered in New Jersey Legislation.
A-1702 and S-806 are New Jersey’s bills regarding the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact (DDH Compact). As you may know, the DDH Compact is a comprehensive, interstate licensure agreement that allows licensed dentists and dental hygienists to practice in all participating states without needing to obtain individual licenses in each one. The compact has already been enacted in 11 states, with pending legislation in 15 others.
Let’s ensure New Jersey stays at the forefront of advancing oral health care—take action today!
-NJDHA & ADHA Leaders
Click the link below to let your legislators know you support the DDH Compact!
Proud to share something BIG for our profession 🤍🦷
Created by ADHA in partnership with the Foundations of Delta Dental, Hygienist Inspired is an innovative chairside recruitment program designed to leverage the powerful relationships dental hygienists build every single day to strengthen our workforce.
Why was it created?
✨ Address Workforce Shortages – The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects dental hygiene employment to grow 9% from 2023–2033 (that’s twice the average rate of other professions!). We need more hygienists.
✨ Improve Access to Care – Underserved communities, especially rural areas and communities of color, often lack access to dental care. This program cultivates future professionals from within those communities.
✨ Increase Diversity in Our Profession – In 2022, 96% of dental hygienists were female and 82% were white (U.S. Census Bureau). A workforce that reflects the population we serve benefits everyone.
Hygienist Inspired is now in its second year, and NJ had the opportunity to be part of it! 🇳🇯
NJDHA President Pam, Immediate Past President Stacy, and member/educator Mary Lou spent the weekend in Ft. Lauderdale for training — and we are bringing this energy back home.
We’re calling on dental hygienists, educators, and oral health advocates to introduce the RDH career path to patients and community members we encounter every day.
💫 Become a Hygienist Inspired Ally.
Allies raise awareness about the vital role of dental hygienists by doing what we do best: building relationships, sharing knowledge, and sparking interest in this rewarding career — without adding extra demands to your schedule.
TAKE THE PLEDGE
#HygienistInspired #ADHA #NJDHA #DentalHygienist #OralHealthAdvocate #FutureRDH #ProfessionalPride
Dental hygienist are healthcare professionals, and there needs to be an increase in the awareness of our profession for all people from different backgrounds, ethnicities, races, cultures, ages, and genders. This ADHA HI Ambassador program does exactly that. As dental hygienists, we bring our diverse backgrounds and experiences to share with others to inspire them to either consider the dental hygiene profession for their future or to spread the word to others they know to inspire them. Absolutely love being a trailblazer and change maker to improve the lives of others. It’s such an honor to be part of a program with other inspiring dental hygienists and knowing two daughters that I was able to inspire already. I’m ready for the journey and will enjoy every minute. Please reach out to me if you have any questions at stacyonofriettirdhphd@gmail.com.
Need help in accessing Your support?
Contact Becky Pugh, NJDHA Foundation Liaison or Central Office
Team Smiles arrived in New Jersey on the LPGA tour where NJDHA members, dental hygienists and professionals stepped up to serve children if underserved populations. ADHA ambassadors Mary Lou Nicoletti and Dr. Stacy Onofrietti reeled in many allies from those serving of dental hygienist, dentist, students, and the public. Camden county college, as well as RCBC and Bergen community college were role represented with faculty and students serving at this huge event.
The Special Olympics of New Jersey welcomed the New Jersey Dental Hygienists’ Association and the dental hygiene schools to their Healthy Athletes Special Smiles Program for the 2026 Summer Games that took place the first weekend in June and was another success. Many dental hygienists stepped forward donating their services and time to athletes to provide oral health screenings. The event included mouthguards for the athletes, visits by the friendly tooth and bags of oral hygiene products.
Spend a moment to review photos from the Summer 2026 Special Smiles Event, showcasing dental hygienists and dental hygiene students with instructors from Eastern International College. NJDHA volunteer members included Immediate Past President Dr. Stacy L Onofrietti, Bergen Community College Retiree Denise Avrutik, EIC Clinic Coordinator Evelyn Garcia, and Public Health Issues Director Giovanna Onofrietti, all volunteering their time to support this crucial annual oral healthcare initiative. Dental hygiene students showing up to donate their time providing oral hygiene instruction and mouthguards helped enhance the lives of many athletes and increased their knowledge and experiences working with various populations in the community.
If you are interested in making a difference and wish to volunteer for the Special Smiles event as a dental hygienist or dental hygiene student, please watch for the Fall 2026 link from NJDHA coming soon to help provide services like prophylaxis and radiographs to the athletes at their headquarters in Lawrenceville, NJ. If you have any questions about these events, please contact Dr. Stacy Onofrietti at stacyonofriettirdhphd@gmail.com
Giovanna Onofrietti, RDH
NJDHA Public Health Issues Director
