As dental practices across New Jersey continue to navigate staffing challenges, the New Jersey Dental Association, with support from the Delta Dental Foundation, is proud to expand access to its signature hiring tool—the Workforce Lead Directory. Beginning January 1, 2026, this valuable resource is now available to all NJDA members.

The Workforce Lead Directory is a streamlined way for dental hygiene and dental assisting candidates to connect with NJDA member-dentists who are hiring. Job seekers opt to be listed in the directory, making their profiles visible to practices across the state, while NJDA members gain direct access to a pool of eager and qualified candidates.

“This expansion reflects NJDA’s deep commitment to helping member practices fill open positions with well-prepared candidates,” said Orville Morales, NJDA’s Director of Advocacy & Health Affairs. “We know workforce shortages have real impacts on practices day to day. By integrating the directory directly into membership rather than requiring an additional purchase, we’re removing barriers and connecting talent with opportunity more broadly.”

Since its launch, the directory has steadily grown, now featuring over a hundred candidates representing dental assisting and hygiene programs across the state. These individuals have opted to be contacted directly by dentists, significantly reducing the friction typically associated with hiring in the dental field.

The system has already delivered results. NJDA Vice President Dr. Andrew Dietz used the directory this summer to hire a dental hygienist. “The process was incredibly straightforward. It cut out so much of the back-and-forth I usually deal with when hiring—I reached out, had a great conversation, and within a week, we hired a recent grad who was enthusiastic, well-prepared, and ready to step into a real-world setting," says Dr. Dietz. "NJDA’s reputation as a trusted, professionally recognized organization gave me confidence in the process. It’s the kind of solution we’ve needed in this field for a long time.”

The dental professional Dr. Dietz hired, Lindsey Troxel, had recently graduated from Middlesex College's Dental Hygiene program and was actively looking for a practice where she could begin her career. Thanks to the Directory, she and Dr. Dietz connected quickly, bypassing the lengthy job board process.

The Delta Dental Foundation’s sponsorship has been instrumental in launching and sustaining the Directory. This support aligns with the Foundation’s broader mission to expand access to oral healthcare and bolster the dental workforce pipeline. As NJDA continues this partnership, the focus remains not only on filling jobs, but on building sustainable long-term connections between practices and the next generation of dental professionals.

NJDA maintains strong relationships with dental hygiene and assisting programs statewide, ensuring new graduates are added to the Directory throughout the year. Even if practice owners don’t have immediate staffing needs, they can feel confident knowing the Directory is a living, regularly updated resource that will be ready with access to qualified candidates when they do.

With the platform gaining traction and success stories emerging, the Workforce Lead Directory is proving to be more than just a hiring tool—it’s becoming a cornerstone of workforce development in New Jersey dentistry.

If you have any questions about the Workforce Lead Directory, please reach out to Alex Horn at (732) 422-2717 or ahorn@njda.org.

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MEMBERS:  View the Workforce Lead Directory here: www.njda.org/workforceleads

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