Free event brings together health providers, policymakers, public health professionals, and community leaders to advance oral health across New Jersey

TRENTON, N.J. – The New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) will host its second annual Oral Health Conference on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at the Crowne Plaza Princeton Conference Center in Plainsboro, New Jersey. This free, statewide event will convene oral health professionals, health care providers, public health practitioners, policymakers, community organizations, educators, and advocates to explore the essential role oral health plays in overall health, well-being, and quality of life.

The theme — Oral Health: It's Not Just About Teeth! — underscores the recognition that oral health is a central pillar of good health, and is connected to chronic disease management, maternal and child health, mental health, and nutrition. Through presentations and interdisciplinary discussions spanning dentistry, medicine, public health, and health policy, participants will examine strategies to expand access to care, strengthen cross-sector collaboration, and reduce oral health disparities across New Jersey.

“Oral health has been treated as separate from the rest of medicine for too long. The evidence tells us otherwise: It connects to chronic disease, to maternal health, to mental health, to quality of life,” said Dr. Raynard E. Washington, New Jersey Health Commissioner. “This convening is about bringing together partners across the state to close that gap. It's about working towards making oral health part of routine care for families across New Jersey.”

The conference will feature keynote speaker Brett H. Kessler, DDS, Past President of the American Dental Association, who will present “Elevating Dentistry: A New Vision for Oral Health in Primary Care.”

Sessions will cover oral health integration in primary and pediatric care, dental and public health workforce development, Medicaid innovation, rural outreach, patient safety, non-traumatic dental pain in emergency departments, and strategies to advance equity and access across New Jersey.

The conference is designed for health care providers, oral health professionals, public health practitioners, policymakers, advocates, educators, community leaders, and others interested in improving oral health outcomes across New Jersey. Participants may attend either in person or online. Continuing education credits are available for dental, medical, and public health professionals.

The event will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Princeton Conference Center, 870 Scudders Mill Road, Plainsboro, NJ 08536.

Registration for the conference is available online.

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

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 6,000 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.  

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