As a dentist with the KinderSmile Foundation in Bloomfield, New Jersey, Dr. Angela Crincoli draws on 30 years of professional experience. As part of her mission of helping families develop a strong foundation for their children’s oral health, Angela Crincoli, DMD, focuses on parent education.According to the American Dental Association, good oral hygiene for children starts well before the first teeth emerge. Dental decay can begin as soon as the first teeth start to erupt through the gums, and as this can be difficult for parents to notice at first, pre-emptive care is crucial. Parents can make a habit of cleaning their child’s gums with a moist gauze pad or wet, clean washcloth, so that children and adults alike become accustomed to the process.As soon as teeth are visible, they can decay. Experts recommend cleaning a child’s first teeth, which usually emerge around the age of 6 months, twice daily with a baby toothbrush. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends using a small smear of fluoride toothpaste, no larger than the size of a grain of rice. The parent should brush not only all surfaces of the baby’s teeth, but also the tongue, if possible.Professionals typically recommend that babies see a dentist before the age of 1 year or within six months of the first tooth’s eruption, whichever occurs earliest. Many local health departments know of care centers that can provide such services to children from low-income backgrounds.
New Jersey-based dentist Dr. Angela Crincoli has been helping patients maintain their dental health for over 25 years. In 2017, Dr. Angela Crincoli accepted a position at the KinderSmile Foundation, a nonprofit group that provides dental care and education to underserved children.In addition to programs directly serving children and teens up to 18 years of age, the KinderSmile Foundation oversees its Perinatal Health and Wellness Program (PHWP) for new mothers. Launched in 2016, PHWP teaches uninsured pregnant women and new mothers who are up to three years postpartum about how oral hygiene affects overall health.Women who participate in the program attend educational sessions focused on a range of topics related to maternal and childhood dental care. In addition to learning how their oral health affects that of a developing fetus, the mothers explore the effects of childhood caries and benefits of fluoride and regular dental visits. The program also covers nutrition-related topics and teaches mothers about the appropriate use of baby bottles and sippy cups.Participants who complete the educational portion of PHWP qualify for one free year of dental care at the KinderSmile Community Oral Health Center in Bloomfield, New Jersey. More information about the program is available at www.kindersmile.org.
As a dentist, Dr. Angela Crincoli draws on more than 25 years of professional experience. Dr. Angela Crincoli currently practices with the KinderSmile Foundation in Bloomfield, New Jersey, where she provides dental care to children from under-resourced families.Tooth decay can be extremely risky for any child. Research suggests that if left untreated, the pain and infections associated with oral health problems can interfere with a child's ability to eat, sleep, socialize, and learn. In 2000, the U.S. Surgeon General estimated that children lost more than 51 million hours of study time in school due to dental health problems. A 2011 study revealed that children with poor oral health were almost 300 percent more likely than their peers to miss school as a result of tooth pain, and research released in 2012 suggested that children with tooth pain were four times more at risk of having a low grade point average.Unfortunately, cavities and other dental health issues disproportionately affect children from low-income and minority backgrounds. Children from families living below the poverty line have approximately 500 percent more untreated tooth decay than their peers from more affluent families, and the ratio of untreated cavities is significantly higher among Hispanic and African-American children than white children.Experts attribute this disparity largely to the prevalence of high-sugar and low-nutrient foods in areas of widespread poverty, although limited access to dental care also plays a role. Although children may have access to dental care under Medicaid, practices that accept that insurance may not be easily accessible to lower-income families. As a result, advocates for children's dental health urge accessible health-care providers to offer nutritional and oral health guidance to lower-income children whenever possible.
Dr. Angela Crincoli has been practicing dentistry in a variety of clinical settings for more than 25 years. In 2017, Dr. Angela Crincoli began working with KinderSmile Foundation, an organization that brings dental health care to at-risk children and families. KinderSmile Foundation operates several programs in and around Bloomfield, New Jersey. Its newest is the KinderSmile Community Oral Health Center, a facility intended as an oral health care home base for under-served children up to age 18. The facility accepts most insurances, including Medicaid and New Jersey FamilyCare, while also welcoming families without insurance. When necessary, the facility offers financial assistance as well.Children receive complimentary preventive services at the facility, including thorough cleanings and fluoride applications as well as complete oral examinations and X-rays. Children who are experiencing decay also have access to corrective interventions ranging from standard fillings to extractions performed on a case-by-case basis. Emergency appointments are scheduled within 24 hours of a call and are available to all children, with the first visit being free of charge.The practice also provides dental education for both children and parents, which is also free of cost. The KinderSmile Community Oral Health Center uses story-based educational app that helps children learn about dental health through narration, games, and age-specific, entertaining quizzes. Children of all ages also visit with clinical assistants who teach them how to brush their teeth correctly, and each visit offers the opportunity for parents to learn proper techniques for nutrition and at-home oral hygiene.
