Healthcare News

Hearthstone Estates Congratulates State’s New Dental Director

July 10, 2019 Herb 0Comment

Hearthstone Estates Assisted Living congratulates Dr. Darwin K. Hayes, DDS, MHA, FAGD, for his appointment to serve as the Garden State’s Dental Director, at the New Jersey Department of Health. His appointment marks the first time in over 30 years that the state has filled this position.

New Jersey Department of Health
Dr. Darwin K. Hayes, DDS, MHA, FAGD, New Jersey’s Newly Appointed Dental Director Photo Credit: New Jersey Department of Health

“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Hayes as part of our leadership team,” Deputy Commissioner Deborah Hartel said, in a July 8 statement announcing the appointment. “With his knowledge and expertise, the Department will be able to expand oral health initiatives to address our most vulnerable populations,” notes Hartel.

In his newly appointed role, Dr. Hayes will oversee dental services and programs for New Jersey residents. He will also be responsible for developing and overseeing an Oral Health Plan for the state.

Bringing New Dentist into the Field

Prior to joining the New Jersey Department of Health, Dr. Hayes served nearly seven years as the Lead Co-Director of the General Practice Residency (GPR) Program at BronxCare Health System, the second largest GPR program in the U.S. This program has trained more than 800 new dentists in the areas of general and hospital dentistry, pediatric dentistry and orthodontics in the past 29 years.

During his tenure, Dr. Hayes was part of the executive management team that used a $3.5 million government grant to improve access to high quality healthcare by increasing the number of dental providers and expanding an integrated oral health/primary care initiative through the successful management of a highly competitive HRSA-funded project. He also served as Chair of the Administration Board for the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) Council of Advanced Education Programs.

Dr. Hayes is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Dentistry and the GPR program at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital. He received his Certificate in Dental Education from the University of the Pacific’s Benerd School of Education and Dugoni School of Dentistry. ln 2017, he completed the two-year Executive Master’s Degree Program in Healthcare Administration from George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health.

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