NJDA President & NJDHA President Partner On Public Health Project
The Presidents of two New Jersey dental organizations, the NJDA & NJDHA, are working together on an access to care program to screen, perform prophylaxis and fluoride, and provide oral health and nutrition education to the children of migrant workers in South Jersey.
New Jersey is home to approximately 10,000 migrant farm workers and oral health is often cited as one of the greatest unmet health needs of migrant farm workers and their families. Dr. Elisa Velazquez, a pediatric dentist, recognized the need to support the children of migrant workers several years ago. She started a screening program while serving as the President of the NJ Hispanic Dental Association with HDA volunteers.
Last year, Dr. Velazquez, who is now President of New Jersey Dental Association, and Dr. Stacy Onofrietti, President of the New Jersey Dental Hygienists Association, came together with ideas to expand on the existing children's screening program. They knew there were other preventive measures that should be taken for this at risk population whose parents labor on farms to grow food for our consumption in the summer months. However, due to a lack of funds, the idea to increase preventative care wasn't possible.
Dr. Onofrietti took on the challenge to secure funding and was awarded a grant via the ADHA Institute for Oral Health for $10,000 from the Mars Wrigley Foundation. The grant was used to make the original screening process into a program that is even more impactful to the community. The grant funded the purchase of a portable dental unit, supplies, and products to perform screenings, prophylaxis, and fluoride treatments. Nutrition and oral health education materials and oral care products for the children were also purchased. Next year, they hope to add sealants & SDF to the program for children that are eligible.
Dr. Onofrietti and Dr. Velazquez recently hit the road to begin seeing children for the new, expanded screening program. All members of NJDA and NJDHA and NJHDA are encouraged to reach out if they want to get more involved. Contact Dr. Velazquez for information at evdmd@yahoo.com.
