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:
American Dental Hygienists’ Association Institute for Oral Health
Scam Alert 6/7/2023:
The Division of Consumer Affairs (Division) is warning all licensed professionals about individuals impersonating New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs (DCA) investigators, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents, DEA investigators, New Jersey Drug Control Unit investigators, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigators, and other law enforcement personnel, as part of an extortion scheme.
The impersonators are contacting licensees by telephone or letter, stating that they are the subject of an investigation. The callers are demanding money to clear up the matter, or threatening to revoke the individual’s license. Please be advised that the Division of Consumer Affairs will not contact licensees by telephone to discuss investigations or demand money.
Anyone receiving a telephone call from a person purporting to be any of the above mentioned individuals seeking money, should refuse the demand. We encourage you to report the call to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You may also report the call to the Division at AskConsumerAffairs@lps.state.nj.us
Bright Smiles, Bright Futures
Delivering Health Education to Children
Calling all dental professionals!!!
The Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program is looking for volunteers for visual examinations on children 12 years and younger at locations throughout New Jersey and New York.
CLICK HERE to view the letter from Omar Sanchez, RDH, NJDHA's Public Health Issues Director, with dates and locations listed.
You can email newyorkbsbfteam@gmail.com any dates you are interested in volunteering for, and more information on the screening process will be emailed to you.
Dental Hygienist Spotlight is an opportunity with NJDHA to tell your story and show those in our state and beyond how you make a difference in your community, state, nation, or world as a dental hygienist volunteer. NJDHA’s goal with Dental Hygienist Spotlight is to share the journey of various dental hygienists through NJDHA. It is to demonstrate how we, as dental hygienists, make a difference in such diverse and unique ways each day to impact others’ lives and enhance overall health. We want to empower other dental hygienists to engage in your journey and possibly create a pathway in their lives to serve others as a dental hygienist volunteer. We want to shed light to others on the multiple opportunities to volunteer as a dental hygiene professional and the numerous variations to accommodate your schedule to volunteer. Nominate yourself or a fellow hygienist today!!
Looking for an NJDHA Spotlight Every Month for 2025
SHARE YOUR STORY, OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW
Email form to: centraloffice@njdha.org
2024 NJ Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Special Smiles Program
Participation by NJDHA Members, Dental Hygiene Program Faculty, & Dental Hygiene Students
The Special Olympics of New Jersey welcomed the New Jersey Dental Hygienists’ Association to its upcoming Special Smiles event. Healthy Athletes Special Smiles Program for the 2024 Summer Games for the Special Olympics was held from June 7-9 and NJDHA members and dental hygiene program students attended to volunteer their time and skills.
The NJ Special Olympics Smiles Program was a success again, with the inclusion and diversity of dental hygiene volunteers joining through our NJDHA outreach. The NJ Special Olympics welcomed any dental professional, dental and dental hygiene student for their Healthy Athletes “Special Smiles” event at The College of New Jersey. Oral health screenings were provided for the athletes by the dental hygienists, dentists, and dental students volunteering. Dental hygiene students promoted continued oral health by checking in athletes, fabricating mouthguards, and providing oral health instruction for the athletes after screenings.
A huge additional thanks to the dental hygienists, faculty, and students for diving into this outreach this year to support the oral health of these athletes and their caregivers oral health knowledge. For more information on future Special Olympics event volunteering opportunities in Fall 2024 for dental hygienists and dental hygiene students, please watch our NJDHA website and social media outlets for more information. View photos from the volunteers at the Summer 2024 Special Smiles Event below. Thank you to all who give back!
Welcome to our new ADHA Board of Directors
President: Lancette VanGuilder BS RDH PHEDH CEAS FADHA
Immediate Past President: Erin Haley-Hitz RDH BSDH MS FADHA MAADH
President-elect: Jessica August MSDH CDA RDH FADHA
Vice President: Christina Emmert RDH PHDH PRP FADHA
Treasurer: Amanda Knutt MSDH RDH CST FADHA
District I: Amanda Berthiaume RDH CDA MSDH
District II: Carolynn Wahl RDH BSDH PHDHP FADHA
District III: Jodi Berinato RDH BS FADHA
District IV: Renee Spencer RDH FADHA
District V: Elizabeth Monnin RDH MSEd
District VI: Carrie Fowler RDH BHS MSM
District VII: Jennifer Lehto BSDH RDH EFDA CDA
District VIII: VACANT
District IX: Shawna Greer RDH MDH FADHA
District X: Laura Green RDH MEd FADHA
District XI: Laura Vanderwerf BSDH RDH EPDH CDA FADHA
Summary of Resolutions
ADHA Delegates convened on June 28 to 29 for our 102nd House of Delegates and considered 36 motions. Please see the FINAL DISPOSITIONS for a complete list of the ADHA HOD Resolutions. The current standards for performing dental hygiene services set by the Commission on Dental Accreditation are the minimum standards. ADHA advocates self-regulation of our profession, self-determination of those standards, and raising those standards. ADHA advocates dental hygienists’ professional autonomy with characteristics making it feasible to own and operate a profitable business and to practice in an interprofessional environment as an equal partner. Health professionals should be able not only to work as equal partners but also to communicate with each other and with other stakeholders using a coding system standardized across disciplines. ADHA has clarified the role of dental hygienists in screening, teledentistry, and public health, emphasizing our role as leaders in prevention and early intervention. These resolutions become new or revised statements in the ADHA POLICY MANUAL. Please click on the link to get your copy of the latest edition.
NJDHA Delegate Representation
Howard M Notgarnie RDH EdD FADHA
Stacy Onofrietti RDH MS PhD CHP FADHA
Kim Attanasi PhD BCMAS RDH FADHA
Cooper University is currently searching for extraordinary dental hygienists. Scan the QR code for more information or visit Jobs at CooperHealth.org...
Dental Hygiene Student Spotlight is an opportunity with the NJDHA to tell your story as a student in a NJ program and show those in our state and beyond how students make a difference in their institution, community, state, nation, or even globally as a volunteer. NJDHA’s goal with the Dental Hygiene Student Spotlight is to share the journey of various dental hygiene students throughout NJ. It is to demonstrate how dental hygiene students make a difference in such diverse and unique ways each day to impact others’ lives and enhance overall health through any avenues that they can. Nominate yourself or a fellow student today!!
Looking for an NJDHA Student Spotlight for January 2025
SHARE YOUR STORY, OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW
Email form to: centraloffice@njdha.org
2002 President of NJDHA
2006 Winner for the Fran Fluhr Distinguished Service Award
Many years as Southern Legislative Chair
Susan passed away 11.18.24. A biography is posted at Platt Memorial Chapels, where memorial services were held.
Practiced dental hygiene for 63 years
Held NJ License #71
2011 Winner of Sunstar Award of Distinction
Dodie passed away 11.29.24. A biography is posted at the Galloway & Crane Funeral Home.
An astounding number of dental offices are considered "ghost directories". See what this means by clicking the button below to visit the secret shopper research and read the latest announcement regarding Medicaid dental providers for children.
Dorothy Ferreira RDH MSDH
The Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact is now active in eleven States and is NOW being considered in New Jersey Legislation.
S 702 and A 1896 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!
NJDHA President, Dr. Stacy L. Onofrietti, RDH, MS, PhD, CHP, FADHA, has an important message she would like to share with us addressing the growing concern over the new workforce models being proposed to legislation that have the potential to impact the dental hygiene profession.
View the letter here or click below to download and share with your friends on social media. #dentalhygienestrong🦷
KinderSmile is always in need of volunteers who are able to join their mission of providing underserved children, perinatal women, and families with access to comprehensive dental care and educating them on the importance of dental hygiene. Register Here to volunteer!
Need help in accessing Your support?
Contact Becky Pugh, NJDHA Foundation Liaison
or
CentralOffice@njdha.org
The ADHA Foundation (formerly known as the Institute for Oral Health) continues the same, great mission of supporting dental hygienists.
• If You’re a member and need support for Your education, we’re here!
• If You’re a member and need support for Your research project, we’re here!
• If You’re a member and need support for Your community service, we’re here!
This name change occurred on July 1, 2025. Help kick off this new chapter with Your contribution to the annual fundraiser. Whether $5 or $500, Your tax-deductible donation helps support aspiring and practicing dental hygienists across the country.
Donate At Mighty Cause Website
Looking ahead to see what’s coming up on the ADHA Foundation’s calendar?
ADHA25 Wellness Countdown – June/July/August/September REGISTER OR DONATE NOW
Annual Wellness Challenge: 10/3/25 – 10/6/25 REGISTER NOW
Back to School Blitz – entire month of August SUPPORT NOW
High Five Friday: a micro fundraiser to give $5 on 8/29/25 SUPPORT NOW
Check the ADHA Foundation webpages for full info!
We Are
Better Together!
Have you visited your dental hygienist lately?
Know what's going on in your mouth and the connection with other parts of your body. NJDHA Central component President Alexis and Secretary Giovanna, and NJDHA ED Howard, and President Stacy gathered at the Toms River billboard on Route 37 to promote the importance of having your dental hygienist help you achieve optimum overall health with their knowledge and expertise. Billboards throughout NJ sponsored by NJDHA's Central Component to create awareness.
We want to thank NJDHA's Central Director, Debbie Locke, for persisting in pursuing this opportunity for the Central component in RAISING OUR VOICE!!! Central President Alexis Schone, Director/Treasurer Debbie Locke, Vice President Jennifer DeMaio, Secretary Giovanna Onofrietti, and Membership Chair Catherine Monchik worked tirelessly to organize this at a time when dental hygienists, nationwide, are concerned about their profession and their patients' safety, because of shortcut workforce positions being presented to legislation.
Lets flood social media with RDHs passionate about awareness for what we do, tag New Jersey Dental Hygienists' Association and Central Component - NJDHA with your photos! Email CentralNJDHA@gmail.com with your photos an earn a free CE, they have two left this year.
Where and when?
Lyndhurst on Ridge Rd. at Freeman St. and runs from 5.27.25 to 10.12.25
Redbank on Newman Springs Rd, West of Route 35 and runs from 6.23.25 to 8.17.25
Toms River on Route 37 was live from 6.30.25 to 7.6.25
GSP Exit 125 was live from 7.7.25 to 7.13.25
Toms River on Route 9, .5 miles North of the GSP entrance runs from 7.14.25 to 9.7.25 and
Ocean on Route 35, 275 feet North of Talmadge and will run from 9.15.25 to 10.12.25
New Jersey Bringing Awareness to Our Profession
Remote Area Medical is holding a vision, dental and medical clinic in Philadelphia on Saturday, August 18 and Sunday, August 19th.
RAM is searching for RDHs and dental assistants with PA licenses to help treat patients. Check out their website, register to volunteer, and tell your friends!
