ORAL HEALTHCARE
Oral health is a vital part of overall health throughout the life cycle. Most people know that regular medical and dental check-ups are important. Yet many people cannot afford routine dental care because of fixed incomes or limited access to care. Poor oral health impacts overall health and increases the risk for chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease. Other challenges may include problems chewing, pain, limiting food choices and low self-esteem due to an unattractive physical appearance.
Healthy teeth are important to a child’s overall health. From the time a child is born, there are things that can be done to promote healthy teeth and prevent cavities.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, one quarter of adults over the age of 65 have lost all of their teeth. Major barriers for the elderly obtaining proper dental services include lack of access to dental care and high costs.
Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHC) are uniquely positioned to increase access to oral health services in the communities experiencing acute access problems. Dental care is part of the comprehensive services available at many of the FQHCs in New Jersey. The following list of Community Health Centers provide dental and oral health services:
NJ COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS PROVIDE DENTAL & ORAL HEALTH SERVICES
CAMcare Health Corporation
Camden, NJ | 856-541-3270
www.camcare.net |
CompleteCare Health Network
Bridgeton, NJ | 856-451-4700
www.completecarenj.org |
Eric B. Chandler Health Center
New Brunswick, NJ | 732-235-6700
Rwjms.umdnj.edu |
Henry J. Austin Health Center
Trenton, NJ | 609-278-5900
www.henryjaustin.org |
Horizon Health Center
Jersey City, NJ | 201-451-6300
www.horizonhealth.org |
Jewish Renaissance Medical Center
Perth Amboy, NJ | 732-376-9333
www.jrmc.us |
Lakewood Resource and Referral Center
Lakewood, NJ | 32-364-2144
www.chemedhealth.org |
Metropolitan Family Health Network
Jersey City, NJ | 201-478-582
metrofhn.com |
Monmouth Family Health Center
Long Branch, NJ | 732-923-7100
www.mfhcnj.org |
Neighborhood Health Services Corporation
Plainfield, NJ | 908-753-6401
www.phcmednet.org |
Newark Community Health Centers, Inc.
Newark, NJ | 973-483-1300
www.nchcfghc.org |
North Hudson Community Action Corporation Health
Union City, NJ | 201-210-0100
www.nhcac.org |
Ocean Health Initiatives, Inc.
Lakewood, NJ | 732-363-6655
www.ohinj.org |
Paterson Community Health Center
Paterson, NJ | 973-790-6594 |
Southern Jersey Family Medical Center, Inc.
Hammonton, NJ | 609-567-0200
www.sjfmc.org |
VNA of Central Jersey Community Health Center, Inc.
Asbury Park, NJ | 800-862-3330
www.vnacj.org |
Zufall Health Center
Dover, NJ | 973-328-3344
www.zufallhealth.org |
For further information contact Stephanie Gee, Quality & Integration Improvement Specialist, at New Jersey Primary Care Association, 609-689-9930 ext.17 or email sgee@njpca.org.
