Rutgers Extends Complimentary Preventive Dental Services for Union County Residents 55 and Older
Interprofessional program begins Wed., Oct. 8, with required orientation
Rutgers University is offering Union County residents 55 and older another opportunity to receive complimentary preventive dental services.
The Scotch Plains campus of the Rutgers School of Health Related Professions is inviting county residents 55 and over to register at either 9 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. on Wed., Oct. 8, to receive complimentary preventive dental services over the next year and to attend seminars on nutrition and maintaining a healthy mental outlook.
"This program is particularly attractive for county residents who have no dental insurance or are on fixed incomes,” said Vaishali Singhal, associate professor in the school’s Allied Dental Education Department and the project director.
More than 70 county residents responded to Rutgers’ earlier invitation and began receiving free dental services late last month.
Supported by a one-year, $25,000 grant from the Grotta Fund for Senior Care, the School for Health Related Professions is providing an interprofessional program from the departments of Allied Dental Education, Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions, and Nutritional Sciences.
Allied Dental Education provides participants with x-rays, oral hygiene home care instruction, dental cleanings, fluoride and dental examinations. Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling Professions and Nutritional Sciences present a series of “lunch and learn” seminars to disseminate and discuss nutrition, diet and healthy mental outlook for the adult.
“Our goal is prevention through promoting healthy habits,” explains Singhal. “Prevention is one of the most important keys to maintaining good overall health. We are therefore delighted to have this interprofessional opportunity to help educate participants about how to improve their preventive care.”
Location of the orientation session and all elements of the program is Rutgers School of Health Related Professions, 1776 Raritan Road, Scotch Plains. Participants who want additional information should call 908-889-2410 or 908-889-2517.
The Grotta Fund for Senior Care provides grant support to agencies which benefit older adults and their families and help them to age in place independently, safely and with dignity in their homes and communities. Grotta directs its program grant support to seniors living primarily in Essex, Union, Morris, Sussex and eastern Somerset counties.
The Rutgers School of Health Related Professions location in Scotch Plains is home to several departments, including Psychiatric Rehabilitation and Counseling, Allied Dental Education, Medical Imaging Sciences, Nutritional Sciences and Health Science Careers.