Stefanie Russell is now leading New Jersey's oral health efforts as the new state dental director. A dentist and epidemiologist with a background in public health research, Russell brings both clinical experience and a focus on data to a state still dealing with high rates of childhood tooth decay and limited water fluoridation.
New Jersey is among the states with the lowest rates of community water fluoridation, a factor that continues to drive policy debates and shape preventive strategies statewide.
Russell's credentials include a dental degree from Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, a master's in public health from the University of Connecticut, and a doctorate in chronic disease epidemiology from Yale. Her research has focused on how oral health connects to broader health issues and how social factors affect who gets care. "Oral health significantly impacts overall health. This is made clear by a growing body of evidence connecting poor oral health to adverse pregnancy outcomes, increased risk of heart problems, and a range of other health conditions," said New Jersey Health Commissioner Raynard E. Washington. "Dr. Russell has spent her career building part of that evidence base."
Even with years of research supporting prevention, New Jersey still has some of the lowest fluoridation rates in the country. According to a 2026 legislative review by CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, there were no new statewide bans or restrictions on water fluoridation last year, but the state's limited coverage remains a major policy issue. New Jersey's oral health surveillance tracks not only third graders but also pregnant women and nursing home residents. Russell sees both the size of the problem and the room for progress. "The oral health challenges facing New Jersey are significant, but so are the opportunities," she said. She plans to pilot school-based interventions like silver diamine fluoride to slow cavity progression and to bring oral health into prenatal care.
Federal data confirm that community health centers in New Jersey have access to dedicated tools for monitoring and funding oral health programs, which is crucial for distributing grants and implementing preventive care initiatives at the local level.
Russell's term as state dental director runs through 2029, and she will continue teaching at Rutgers during that time. Her focus is on proven public health strategies, building community partnerships, and expanding access to preventive care. "By investing in proven public health strategies, strengthening community partnerships, and expanding access to preventive care, we can improve health outcomes for generations to come."
New Jersey's oral health system has needed a leader who understands both the science and the social realities of dental care. With Russell in this role, the state has a chance to move beyond small steps and aim for broader improvements. Her mix of academic experience, policy work, and practical knowledge is well suited to what New Jersey needs now.
