The New York University College of Nursing has been awarded $202,030 to launch the first year of a three-year initiative, Oral Health Nursing Education and Practice (OHNEP) Program, from the DentaQuest and Washington Dental Service Foundations to develop a replicable model for implementing a comprehensive oral health curriculum in nursing schools throughout the United States, as well as best practices for oral health care in nurse-managed primary care settings.

NYUCN Launches Oral Health Nursing Education and Practice Program
Donna Shelley, MD, MPH

The New York University College of Nursing has been awarded $202,030 to launch the first year of a three-year initiative, Oral Health Nursing Education and Practice (OHNEP) Program, from the DentaQuest and Washington Dental Service Foundations to develop a replicable model for implementing a comprehensive oral health curriculum in nursing schools throughout the United States, as well as best practices for oral health care in nurse-managed primary care settings.  Because NYU College of Nursing is uniquely positioned at a College of Dentistry, the National Interprofessional Initiative on Oral Health (www.niioh.org) has asked the College of Nursing to be the nursing partner for this national oral health initiative. 

Dr. Judith Haber, Associate Dean for Graduate Programs and Project Co-Executive Director said, “Our goal is to prepare the next generation of informed, competent registered nurses and advanced practice nurses to provide high quality oral health care to patient populations across the life span.”  Ralph Fuccillo, President of DentaQuest Foundation said, “I am so pleased that just as we are creating a US National Oral Health Alliance to promote common ground among a wide variety of parties interested in improving oral health, the National Interprofessional Initiative on Oral Health is providing resources to oral health champions such as the NYU College of Nursing leaders.  Engagement of the Nursing profession in the cause for preventing oral disease is exciting!”

A comprehensive resource center for oral health education, OHNEP will serve as the hub for nursing faculty development in oral health care and best practices in oral health. Resources will be specially tailored for nursing faculty to educate undergraduate and graduate nursing about oral health across the life span.  Laura Smith, President and CEO of Washington Dental Service Foundation, said, “I am excited that the Nursing profession will be engaged in the delivery of oral health preventative services and that nurses will soon be in a position to arrest and reverse the signs of dental disease.  We are excited that NYU College of Nursing will show the way to integrate oral health in the education of nurses since we believe that education influences practice.”

Faculty and schools of nursing will be provided with teaching-learning strategies to promote oral health competency development in nurses including Smiles for Life, a web-based modular oral health program.  The Oral Health Nursing Education and Practice Program also will be the knowledge center for nurse practitioner-managed clinical practices that are to implement best practices in oral health. Dr. Maria Dolce, Project Director, noted, “By greatly expanding nursing expertise in this area, we will contribute to improving access to oral health screening and preventative oral health services.”

Both NYU College of Nursing and NYU College of Dentistry are committed to advancing innovative models of education and practice that enhance oral health outcomes.  “The newly released Institute of Medicine report on Oral Health in America reinforces the importance of the relationship between oral health and overall health,” said Dr. Donna Shelley, Director of Interdisciplinary Research and Practice, New York University College of Dentistry and Project Co-Executive Director.  The NYU College of Nursing will be launching this innovative program at the Oral Health Nursing Education and Practice National Summit on May 26, 2011 in Washington, D.C. 


Oral Health Nursing Education and Practice Program

New York University, College of Nursing

726 Broadway, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10003

Project Co-Executive Director: Judith Haber, PhD, APRN, BC, FAAN

The Ursula Spring Leadership Professor in Nursing Associate Dean for Graduate Programs
Phone: (212) 998-9020
Fax: (212) 995-4679
Email: jh33@nyu.edu

Project Co-Executive Director: Donna Shelley, MD, MPH

Director of Interdisciplinary Research and Practice,
New York University College of Dentistry
Phone: (212) 992-7013
Email: donna.shelley@nyu.edu

Project Director: Maria C. Dolce, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FACHE

Clinical Assistant Professor,
Coordinator, Nursing Education Master’s & Advanced Certificate Programs
Phone: (212) 998-9002
Fax: (212) 995-3143
Email: maria.dolce@nyu.edu


Dr. Judi Haber

Press Contact

Christopher James
Christopher James
(212) 998-6876