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
Alliance Community Healthcare, Inc. Jersey City, NJ | 201-451-6300 http://www.alliancecommunityhealth.org/ |
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 http://rwjms.umdnj.edu/patient_care/chandler/locations.html |
Henry J. Austin Health Center Trenton, NJ | 609-278-5900 www.henryjaustin.org |
Jewish Renaissance Medical Center Perth Amboy, NJ | 732-376-9333 www.jrmc.us |
Lakewood Resource and Referral Center Lakewood, NJ | 732-364-2144 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.nchcfqhc.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 www.patersonchc.org |
Southern Jersey Family Medical Center, Inc. Hammonton, NJ | 609-567-0200 www.sjfmc.org |
Zufall Health Center Dover, NJ | 973-328-3344 www.zufallhealth.org |