New Jersey Dental Hygienists' Association

President’s Message

Kathy Sinatra, RDH

I hope this message finds you well recouped from our busy holiday schedules.  I have had a full schedule since taking over as president in October.  To begin, I had the pleasure of attending 2 political events!!!  ADHA had supported 2 of New Jersey’s lawmakers with PAC funds.  I went to both events to present the checks.  The first event was Senator Lautenberg’s fundraiser at famed makeup artist Bobbi Brown’s home!!  Of course there was a mishap with power, due to a crazed early snow storm, and we were rerouted to another location.  I did get to speak with Senator Lautenberg regarding healthcare reform, thanked him for his support and look forward to working toward better healthcare in New Jersey.

The second event was for Congressman Pallone at a private home (with a vineyard in the front lawn!) in the Atlantic Highlands area.  I went with NJDHA’s Treasurer, Lauren Jaccodine.  Lauren and I spoke with the Congressman and thanked him for his efforts with healthcare reform and fighting for the people in New Jersey to improve our healthcare system.  These events were very exciting to attend and I was honored to represent NJDHA and ADHA.

Our first local anesthesia courses are underway!  Our leadership has heard your voices and made this day happen.  I am so proud to call myself a member of NJDHA because of this change……kudos to all involved, great work and congratulations!

My theme for the year is “Choose to Make a Difference!”  With the incoming of our new President and the “Yes We Can” attitude makes me feel my theme is very apropos to our changing times.  Make our profession of dental hygiene better by being a member, asking your friend to be a member, mentoring, attending local meetings, volunteering, bringing a friend, introducing someone to the benefits of NJDHA and ADHA…….just be a part.  Part of the new branding campaign at ADHA is Empowering You!!!  I want to empower each and every one of you by making NJDHA strong and visible to each and every one of us….and the public.
Choose to make the difference in your life as a hygienist and someone else’s by EMPOWERING!!!

Kathy Sinatra, RDH
President, NJDHA

New Jersey Local Anesthesia

FALL 2009

Local Anesthesia for the Registered Dental Hygienist
Dr. Vaishali Singhal
University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-SHRP
Department of Allied Dental Education
1776 Raritan Road
Scotch Plains, NJ 07076
908-889-2743/2413

Didactic Instruction:
Wednesdays: October 21, 28, November 4,11 2009
8:30 AM- 3:00 PM

Lab session #1-Wednesdays November 18 and 25, 2009
Lab session #2- Wednesdays December 2 and 9, 2009
Time for all Lab Sessions: 8:30 AM- 3:00 PM

Final Exam l- Wednesday December 16, 2009 9:00-11:00 AM

$795 Breakfast and Lunch included
Look for the brochure on the UMDNJ/SHRP/ADE web page, soon.
Registration begins June 1, 2009 and must be postmarked no later than August 1, 2009

Immunizations- Students must be in full compliance prior to September 15, 2009. Participation in the clinical component is pending receipt of the compliance letter issued to students by UMDNJ Student Health Services. The immunization chart, Exhibit A, is located on the following website. Please print all forms located in column 1 under dental hygiene.
http://shrp.umdnj.edu/admissions/documents/Immunization_Chart.pdf

Local Anesthesia Is Here!

Effective December 1, 2008, Local Anesthesia has been added to New Jersey dental hygienists’ Scope of Practice.  Congratulations to all who have tirelessly contributed your time and energy to make this happen.  Text of the adoption here.

It’s time to start thinking about the NJDHA awards for 2009!

NJDHA offers several awards for Outstanding Members. Is the person next to you an Outstanding Member of NJDHA? Take the time to review the qualifications below and nominate someone who deserves recognition. Leadership should be rewarded!

2009 Johnson & Johnson/ADHA Awards for Excellence in Dental Hygiene Program

Nomination are still being accepted for this prestigious award designed to honor up to seven dental hygienist who have demonstrated outstanding excellence in the profession of dental hygiene.  Nominations are being accepted in the ADHA central office no later than November 10, 2008, nomination forms are available on ADHA’s website at http://www.adha.org/downloads/2009_Jand_Johnson_Award_app.pdf

2009 ADHA/Procter & Gamble Dental Hygiene Educator of the Year Award

ADHA is seeking your input to assist in recognizing, honoring and rewarding a dental hygiene faculty member who contributes to and is dedicated to providing high quality education as the 2009 Dental Hygiene EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR.  November 14, 2008 deadline.  Further information on ADHA’s website at http://adha.org/news/10072008-educator_of_year.htm

Frances D. Fluhr Outstanding Service Award

The Outstanding Service Award was established in 1992 and renamed in honor of Frances D. Fluhr, RDH in 1993. It is in memory of her service to NJDHA for over 40 years. She contributed outstanding service on the Board of Trustees and in many officer positions.

The purpose of this award is to identify and recognize the dental hygienist that is a member of NJDHA and has made outstanding contributions through volunteerism to dental hygiene on a state level.

Here are the criteria for nomination:

  • The nominee must be an active or life member of NJDHA for a minimum of five (5) years.
  • The nominee must have served on the Board of Trustees for a minimum of two (2) years.
  • The nominator must be a NJDHA member and submit a letter of recommendation for the nominee.
  • The nominee must submit a curriculum vitae outlining NJDHA outstanding service experience.

Carol King Award for Advancing the Profession of Dental Hygiene

This award was established in 1986 in memory of Carol King, RDH. She was successful in breaking down barriers for Dental Hygienists who wish to practice as independent contractors in New Jersey.

The purpose of this award is to identify and recognize the dental hygienist that is a member of NJDHA and has advanced the Profession of Dental Hygiene.

Here are the criteria for nomination:

  • The nominee must have been an active or life member of NJDHA for a minimum of five (5) years.
  • The nominator must be a NJDHA member and submit a letter of recommendation for the nominee.
  • The nominee must submit an essay that is no more than 750 words in length, typed and double-spaced. The essay must include contributions and achievements to advance the profession. The nominees should also express their value in the profession and how it has enhanced their lives.

Submissions do not require permission of the nominee. Please submit all nominations by August 1st:

Rebecca Welch Pugh, RDH
NJDHA Executive Director
856-985-0702 fax
executivedirector@njdha.org

NJDHA Westphal Scholarship

This scholarship is named in honor of Cheryl Westphal, RDH, MS, Past President of NJDHA and the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA), and the first dental hygienist to serve on the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry.

The scholarship is presented at the NJDHA Garden State Conference to a third or fourth semester dental hygiene student, not including pre-requisite education. The scholarship has a minimum base contribution from NJDHA as well as contributions from individuals and NJDHA components.

Dental hygiene students interested in applying for the Westphal Scholarship must meet the following criteria:

  • Verification of a minimum GPA of 3.2 for the first year dental hygiene curriculum. A copy of the grade report may be submitted.
  • Completion of a “Letter of Recommendation” form by a faculty member or director who has worked directly with the student. The “Letter of Recommendation” should be submitted under separate cover.
  • Submission of an original essay on the topic of “Promoting Our Profession”. This topic was Ms. Westphal’s theme during her year as ADHA President. The essay should be approximately 500 words in length, submitted on white bond paper, typed and double spaced. A separate cover sheet should be attached with the name of the student, dental hygiene program and the date. The essay will be evaluated on content, organization, development, grammar, and sentence structure.
  • Any New Jersey resident dental hygiene student or a dental hygiene student attending any New Jersey dental hygiene program.

The “Letter of Recommendation”, essay and GPA verification should be submitted by May 31st to:

Rebecca Welch Pugh, RDH
NJDHA Executive Director
856-985-0702 fax
executivedirector@njdha.org

Support NJDHA

NJDHA T-shirts and NJDHA Membership pins are available! Please contact Vicky Fedor at cmschair@njdha.org for more information.

RDH Licensure

For all questions regarding RDH licensure in the State of New Jersey please contact:

New Jersey State Board of Dentistry
http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/medical/dentistry.htm
(973) 504-6405
http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/dentistry/apps/dentalhygiene.pdf
(requirements check list)

NJDHA OFFICE
Rebecca Welch Pugh, RDH
NJDHA Executive Director
856-236-6968 phone
856-985-0702 fax
executivedirector@njdha.org