Free event convenes stakeholders to address oral health disparities and advance prevention strategies across communities 

TRENTON, NJ - Today, the New Jersey Department of Health is sponsoring the State's first-ever Oral Health Conference at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation in Princeton. The free conference, themed "Advancing Well-Being Through Oral Health," will unite oral health care advocates, community organizations, health care professionals, government officials, and policymakers to address critical oral health challenges and opportunities facing New Jersey residents.

The conference emphasizes oral health as a fundamental component of overall health and well-being, recognizing that oral diseases significantly impact quality of life and can lead to systemic health problems. With annual dental visits among New Jersey adults varying dramatically by county – ranging from 59.2% in Hudson County to 76.2% in Hunterdon County – the event will focus on reducing health disparities and improving access to care for vulnerable populations.

"This conference represents our commitment to advancing oral public health and supporting healthy communities throughout New Jersey,” said Jeff Brown, Acting Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Health. “By bringing together diverse voices and expertise, we aim to speed up New Jersey’s progress toward a more equitable oral health landscape that serves all residents, regardless of their zip code or economic circumstances.” 

The conference will feature four comprehensive tracks addressing medical-dental integration, special populations, minimally invasive care, and school-based interventions. Sessions will explore critical topics including oral-systemic health connections, care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, combating water fluoridation misinformation, and innovations in school-based dental programs. A keynote presentation by Dr. Marco Vujicic, Chief Economist at the American Dental Association, will highlight the economic benefits of investing in oral health. 

Addressing social determinants of health, the conference will examine barriers that limit access to optimal oral health care, including financial constraints, geographic isolation, transportation difficulties, workforce shortages, and cultural factors. Special attention will be given to populations experiencing the greatest disparities, including pregnant women, nursing home residents, and uninsured and underinsured individuals. 

“Oral health is a critical component of overall health that affects every stage of life, from infants to seniors,” said Dr. Clifford Lisman, New Jersey State Dental Director. “Poor oral health adversely impacts physical and mental well-being and can influence everything from a child's ability to learn to an adult's employment opportunities. This conference is about building stronger partnerships through medical-dental-behavioral health integration and sharing innovative strategies to improve health outcomes for all New Jersey residents.” 

The New Jersey Department of Health prioritizes oral health through its comprehensive Children's Oral Health Education Program. The program provides interactive education activities and resources, including age-appropriate school-based oral health education programs conducted by dental professionals, educational materials for school nurses, and oral health education for participants in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. The program also offers training for non-dental professionals and community health workers to extend oral health education throughout communities. 

Current data reveals significant oral health challenges in New Jersey. Recent state data show that oral cavity and pharynx cancer incidence remains a concern, with 1,351 New Jersey residents diagnosed in 2021. The lifetime risk of developing oral cavity and pharynx cancer is 1 in 59 for men and 1 in 139 for women, underscoring the importance of prevention and early detection strategies. New Jersey ranks last in community water fluoridation, a key source of fluoride for vulnerable communities. 

Despite New Jersey’s improvements in closing maternal health disparities in recent years, oral health remains an important factor in ensuring healthy pregnancies. Data from NJ FamilyCare shows that among the 86,021 pregnant individuals covered by Medicaid from July 2022 to June 2023, only 29% accessed any dental services and just 21% received preventive oral health care. Significantly, 72% of the 3,336 women who experienced preterm births had not received dental services during their pregnancies. This highlights a critical gap in care given that research shows women with periodontitis (inflammation of the tissue around the teeth) are six times more likely to deliver preterm. 

The conference will address prevention through evidence-based approaches, including fluoride interventions, dental sealant programs, and HPV vaccination initiatives to reduce oropharyngeal cancer risk. Sessions will also focus on integrating oral health into primary care settings and enhancing collaboration between medical and dental professionals. 

The event is designed for health care providers, advocates, policymakers, public health professionals, community leaders, and anyone committed to advancing oral health equity in New Jersey. Attendance is free; panels are available both virtually and in person; and continuing education credits are available for dental and health professionals, health educators, and public health workers.  

Registration to attend the conference virtually is available here: https://eventsites.apps4org.com/?code=njohc2025.

Media planning to attend the conference should contact the Office of Communications at communications@doh.nj.gov.

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The New Jersey Department of Health is a nationally accredited health department working to ensure that all New Jerseyans live long, healthy lives and reach their fullest potential. With more than 5,500 employees, the Department serves to protect the public’s health, promote healthy communities, and continue to improve the quality of health care in New Jersey.