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
Another Year of Success for the 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!
Email us to see how you can help: centraloffice@njdha.org
RAM aims to improve oral health awareness and offer free services to those who might not have regular access to dental care. Pamela Graboso-Saul RDH, MSDH, and Professor Lynn Tobin from Middlesex College were among the volunteers who provided medical and dental screenings, preventive care, and patient education. Patients expressing their gratitude highlight the need for improved access to health care and give volunteers motivation to do so again.
The American Dental Hygienists’ Association continues to serve its members with a productive House of Delegates. This year’s decisions will make our Association more efficient, attract new members, and advance policies that reflect our 21st Century profession.
The ADHA HOD is the annual business meeting of the Association, in the same way NJDHA General Membership Meeting is the Constituent’s business meeting. The outcome of our House of Delegates is
A new slate of Officers and Directors
Directors
District I: Carmen Negron-Dupee BSFCS RDH
District II: Carolynn Wahl RDH BSDH PHDHP FADHA
District III: Sheri Moore RDH BSHS FADHA
District IV: Renee Spencer RDH FADHA
District V: Jerelyn Smith RDH FADHA
District VI: Carrie Fowler RDHDistrict
VII: Carissa Renae Regnerus RDH MA FADHADistrict
VIII: Christina Emmert RDH PRP FADHADistrict
IX: Joanna Allaire RDH BSDH MDH FADHADistrict
X: Laura Green RDH MEd FADHADistrict
XI: Pamela Larrabee RDH BAS MA
Officers
President: Erin Haley-Hitz RDH BSDH MS FADHA MAADH
President-elect: Lancette Van Guilder BS RDH PHEDH CEAS FADHA
Vice President: Jessica August CDA RDH BSDH MSDH
Speaker of the HOD: Valoree Althoff MHA BSDH CPP-T PRP FADHA
Immediate Past President: Becky Smith CRDH EdD FADHA
Treasurer: Chante Miller CRDH CLSSGB MBA
A Bylaws amendment that gives the responsibility of amending the Bylaws to the ADHA Board of Directors, similar to the responsibility NJDHA Board of Directors has for our Constituent’s Bylaws.
A new category of membership entitled New Professional Members, who can be targeted for discounted rates and special programs to introduce them to the profession and foster their involvement and loyalty to the Association.
Two policy statements supporting professional growth and autonomy.
A policy statement supporting the reduction of barriers new dental hygienists face in getting licensed.
A policy statement broadening support of loan forgiveness to dental hygienists
A definition of free sugars and a policy statement supporting the limitation of free sugars in the diet.
Special thanks to our District II Director
Carolynn Wahl RDH BSDH PHDHP FADHA
Our NJDHA Delegation
Chair
Howard M Notgarnie RDH EdD FADHA
Delegate Stacy Onofrietti RDH MS PhD CHP FADHA
Delegate
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.
Delegate
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🦷
Congress is negotiating the Federal Budget and is considering “Medicaid reforms” that would reduce funds available for Medicaid by $715 billion over the next decade. This could leave more than eight million Americans without coverage, including for dental care. The putative reason is to save money. However, MacKinney et al demonstrated that access to care reduces emergency room visits and associated costs. Failure to prevent disease is costing us far more than making health care accessible and affordable to all.
In 19 States dental hygienists are directly reimbursed by Medicaid to care for underserved populations with limited income. These entrepreneurs practice in markets that would otherwise be health care deserts. They serve rural and poor urban areas. They provide prevention and early intervention. They refer to dentists and other health professionals. And they have businesses that should be models for the future of dental hygiene. In all States, Medicaid makes access to health care affordable to many people.
Support access to dental hygiene. Tell your legislators that you want Medicaid protected—for your colleagues and their patients—by clicking the link below.
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?
Annual Wellness Challenge: 10/3/25 – 10/6/25 REGISTER NOW
High Five Friday: a micro fundriaser to give $5 on 7/25/25 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
