Middlesex College
Edison, NJ 08818-3050
P.O. Box 3050
2600 Woodbridge Avenue
Dental Hygiene Program
Department of Dental Hygiene
Website:
Contact:
Michelle Roman
Phone: 732.906.2536
Chairperson Department of Dental Hygiene
email: dentalhygiene@middlesexcc.edu
ADHA Student Chapter
Advisors: Nadine Thompson, RDH, BSDH, EdM & Sally Elkhalifa, RDH, MEd
See more footage on our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1433018230783570
Dental Products Report May 2023, Volume 57, Issue 5, Pages 54-55
For the full May Issue: https://cdn.sanity.io/files/0vv8moc6/dpr/7abf2f6780a9da2c8a51a03f52831d5442f19b01.pdf/DPR0523_Ezine.pdf
Present at the ceremony was NJDHA President Sue Scherer, President Elect Dr. Stacy Onofrietti, Executive Director Dr. Michelle Roman, NJDA President Elect Dr. Renee Arace, members of the Middlesex College Board of Trustees, Middlesex County Commissioner Charles Kenny, Perth Amboy Mayor Caba, and Assemblyman Sterley Stanley who presented a joint resolution in honor of the event from the State Senate and General Assembly, dental hygiene faculty, staff, students, and alumni.
The Dental Hygiene Program's Give Kids A Smile (GKAS)
On February 28, 2024, the Middlesex College Dental Hygiene program, along with 27 2nd-year dental hygiene students, 6 volunteer dentists, 28 volunteer dental hygienists, 2 volunteer dental assistants, and 3 volunteer staff, participated in the annual Give Kids a Smile (GKAS) event. Additionally, 7 New Brunswick High School students generously volunteered their morning to assist second-year dental hygiene students in escorting children throughout their appointments. Febi Desai, a second-year student and class historian, emphasized that GKAS is a fantastic opportunity for children who lack dental insurance or financial resources to receive essential dental care. Rose Morales, the program coordinator, remarked that the event was both enjoyable and well-organized. Sue Disoteo said that the event “gets better each year.”
The program successfully treated 30 children, providing approximately $15,000 worth of dental care. The children, aged 2 1/2 to 14, received a wide array of dental treatments, including restorative procedures, extractions, and preventive care.
Among the volunteers was one of Middlesex College’s Dental Hygiene program's prior graduates and valedictorian of 2006, Priya Kannusamy. Giovanna Onofrietti, a senior dental hygiene student, volunteered to be the tooth fairy, spreading smiles and capturing photo opportunities with all the attending children.
The program received generous donations of dental supplies from companies such as Henry Schein and Patterson. Dr. Charles Montgomery also contributed supplies from his own office to provide care to the children. Additionally, Momentum generously donated coffee and tea for all the volunteers, contributing to the success of the event.
On May 20th, 27 Middlesex College dental hygiene students celebrated a significant milestone in their academic and professional journey. During a special pinning ceremony, these students were awarded their Dental Hygiene pins, symbolizing their dedication and commitment to the field. The ceremony also included the recitation of the Dental Hygiene Oath, underscoring their pledge to uphold the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in their future careers. This event marked the culmination of their rigorous training and education, preparing them to contribute positively to the health and well-being of their communities.
Dental Hygiene Awards Presented:
Academic Excellence and Class Valedictorian Award – Lexi Rutkoski
NJDHA Gurenlian Student Leadership Award – Febi Desai
Student Success Award – Alexis Lawrence
Peer Excellence Award-recipient chosen by classmates – Biviana Martinez
Exceptional Clinical Development – Charisma Martinez
Award for Excellence in Dental Radiology – Erin Dellane
Community Commitment – Shaokai Li
Award for Excellence in Chairside Education – Sara Ondler
Commitment to the hygiene profession Colgate STAR Award – Spencer Clark
Hu-Friedy Golden Scaler Award – Gejun Dai
Professionalism Award - Samantha Brennan
Faculty Award for Excellence in Dental Hygiene – Jenna Prezwodek
Congratulations to Saray Gayed!
Saray is the 2025 NJDHA Gurenlian Leadership Award winner from Middlesex College.
NJDHA presents the 2025 Mary Jane Kellogg Dutton Faculty Mentorship Award to
Nadine Thompson, EdM, RDH
Instructor, Department of Dental Hygiene
Middlesex County College
Academic Excellence and Class Valedictorian Award
Priyanka Tankaria
NJDHA Gurenlian Student Leadership Award
Saray Gayed
Student Success Award
Garvica Dorvil
Peer Excellence Award-recipient chosen by classmates
Christina Grizzaffi
Exceptional Clinical Development
Ivanna Roniak
Award for Excellence in Dental Radiology
Lukeidy Morel-Gonzalez
Outstanding Community Commitment
Gleisys Rodriguez
Excellence in Chairside Education
Priyanka Tankaria
Commitment to the dental hygiene profession Colgate STAR Award
Nalah McBride
Hu-Friedy Golden Scaler Award
Jurme Wangchuk
Outstanding Professionalism in Dental Hygiene Award
Emily Friend
Faculty Award for Excellence in Dental Hygiene
Ashley Nunez
Tuesday, May 26, 2026 6:00 pm VIRTUAL
Review information including the fundamental knowledge of the anatomy of head and neck, pharmacology of anesthetic and analgesic agents, patient pre-evaluation including medical and dental history considerations, recognition of adverse events, management of emergency procedures and basic life support, selection of appropriate anesthetic agents and techniques for administering local anesthesia and the administration of local anesthetic reversal agents. Course consists of four hours of didactic training and is designed to meet NJ State Board of Dentistry requirements for renewal of trained and licensed dental hygienists who administer local anesthesia to patients for pain management during the course of dental treatment.
Thursday, May 28, 2026 6:00 pm
L’Hommedieu Hall LH 137 & Clinic
This is for dental hygienists who have taken the local anesthesia course, but may not be comfortable in administering all types of local anesthetic blocks. Refresh your knowledge and meet NJ State Board of Dentistry requirements for administration of additional nerve blocks that were not mandated when the course was first offered. Receive a brief review of head and neck anatomy, patient pre-evaluation including medical and dental history considerations, recognition of adverse events, and selection of appropriate anesthetic agents and techniques for administering local anesthesia. Clinical training component includes monitored administration of local anesthesia on laboratory partners and will include both supraperiosteal (infiltration) injections and nerve block anesthesia (with the exception of the maxillary second division V2 nerve block). Course consists of one hour of didactic training and three hours of clinical training.
Tuesday, May 19, 2026 6:00 pm
VIRTUAL
The Ethics in Dentistry portion of the class is designed to review ethical decision-making with regard to standards of care. We will discuss scope of practice and its importance to the delivery of ethical, quality patient care. The Infection Prevention for the Dental Professional portion is designed to review best practices in infection control and prevention. It will provide an overview of CDC guidelines and OSHA regulations. The Opioids portion is designed to review management of acute odontogenic pain is accomplished through a clinical approach that successfully incorporates both opioid and non-opioid analgesics.
