Delta Dental of New Jersey Welcomes Dr. Nicole McGrath-Barnes, DDS, FACD to Board of Trustees

PARSIPPANY, NJ and GLASTONBURY, CT – November 2, 2023 – Delta Dental of New Jersey, Inc. (DDNJ) and Delta Dental of Connecticut, Inc. (DDCT), are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Nicole McGrath-Barnes, DDS, FACD as the newest member of its esteemed Board of Trustees, effective October 14. As the founder and CEO of the KinderSmile Foundation, Dr. McGrath-Barnes brings a wealth of expertise and a community focus to DDNJ and DDCT, further bolstering its strategic vision and commitment to excellence.

“I’m looking forward to working with Dr. McGrath-Barnes as we continue to fulfill our mission of promoting oral health to the greatest number of people,” said Ronald I. Deblinger DMD, Chair, Delta Dental of New Jersey Board of Trustees. “Dr. McGrath-Barnes’ deep knowledge of the state of oral health across New Jersey will enhance and complement the knowledge and expertise of our Board.”

Dr. McGrath-Barnes is widely recognized for her commitment to providing underserved children with access to comprehensive dental care. With more than 30 years of experience in dentistry alongside active participation in professional associations and volunteer positions, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a deep understanding of the industry and the community that DDNJ serves.

"I am honored to be part of the Delta Dental of New Jersey’s Board of Trustees and to collaborate with this talented group of professionals,” said Dr. Nicole McGrath-Barnes, DDS, FACD. “DDNJ and its Foundation has had a profound impact on the community, supporting access to and awareness of the benefits of good oral health. I look forward to continuing to ensure that children and adults have continued access to oral health care and vision benefits through the innovative programs of DDNJ.”

Dr. McGrath-Barnes joins Chairman Ronald Deblinger, DMD, Richard Bozza, Ed.D., William Faulkner, Lisa Gallucci, DMD, Jorge Gracia, Esq., Joseph Mazza, DMD, George McLaughlin, DMD, Jay Oyer, Morton Reinhart and Debra G. Salman, DDS who serve as board members. 

"We are thrilled to welcome Dr. McGrath-Barnes to Delta Dental of New Jersey’s Board of Trustees," said Delta Dental of New Jersey and Delta Dental of Connecticut President and CEO Dennis G. Wilson. "With her extensive knowledge and deep ties to the community, we are confident that she will provide invaluable insights and contribute significantly to the continued success of our company."

Dr. McGrath-Barnes currently serves as CEO of the KinderSmile Foundation, a non-profit she founded in 2007 to provide underserved children with access to comprehensive dental care. Under Dr. McGrath-Barnes leadership, KinderSmile now has oral health centers in Bloomfield, Trenton, and at the Boys & Girls Club of Newark. In addition to her role at KinderSmile, Dr. McGrath-Barnes has served as a dentist at Smile Central Dental, Zufall Health Center and Newark Community Health Center, and she operated a private practice from 1991-2016. She received her DDS from the University of Maryland College of Dentistry and attended the ADA Diversity Committee for Leadership in collaboration with Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business and Management. 

As an active volunteer, Dr. McGrath-Barnes has served on many nonprofit boards throughout her career. Today, she serves as a board member of MAAC-Medical Assistance Advisory Committee, on the committee of the Princeton Mercer Chamber of Commerce Healthcare, on the committee of the NJ Healthcare Medicaid Policy, as a partner of Nurture NJ Maternal Health Summit, as a program dentist at the Montclair Child Development Center and as a member of the Health Advisory Committee of the Montclair Head Start. 

Dr. McGrath-Barnes has received numerous accolades, including an invitation to the Institute of Diversity Leadership by the American Dental Association, the 2022 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champion in the state of New Jersey by the American Dental Association, the 2021 Women of Achievement Award by the Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber Commerce and the 2020 Benco Dental Lucy Hobbs Humanitarian Award. 

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About Delta Dental

Delta Dental of New Jersey, Inc. is New Jersey's leading dental benefits company, providing or administering coverage to more than 1.9 million people through contracts with groups and individuals in New Jersey and Connecticut. In Connecticut, Delta Dental of Connecticut, Inc. is a licensed insurer that writes dental and vision coverage on an insured basis, and Delta Dental of New Jersey administers self-funded dental benefit programs.

Offering dental benefits since 1969, Delta Dental of New Jersey's mission is to promote oral health to the greatest number of people by providing accessible dental benefit programs of the highest quality, service, and value. We are a not-for-profit service corporation and, as a member of Delta Dental Plans Association, we're part of a network that provides national dental coverage to more than 85 million people. For more information, visit DeltaDentalNJ.com.