Faculty Information
Jill B. Fernandez, RDH, MPH
Clinical Associate Professor
Pediatric Dentistry
Floor 9W Weissman, 421 First Avenue
Fax: 212-995-4242
E-mail: jbf2@nyu.edu
Education
1995 M.P.H., Community Health Education, New York University 1985 B.S., Health Education, New York University1982 A.S., Dental Hygiene, University of Bridgeport 1977 Certificate, Dental Technology, U.S. Navy
Research Interests / Professional Overview
Professor Jill B. Fernandez has worked in the Department of Pediatric Dentistry of the New York University College of Dentistry since September 1988. She is a registered dental hygienist (R.D.H.) with a Masters Degree in Public Health. Her military background of 30 years in the Navy dental community, gives her a broad and diverse educational experience.
As Director of the Pediatric Outreach and Prevention Programs at the University, Professor Fernandez is responsible for all Pediatric Dentistry outreach activities both in New York City and internationally. Under Professor Fernandez’s direction, graduate and undergraduate dental students and faculty visit community public schools, day‑care centers, Head Start facilities, and special education programs, providing oral health programs to children. She has also spent time in Africa, the US Virgin Islands, Honduras, Grenada and Alaska setting up models for oral health care.
Professor Fernandez has been the project director for several innovative infant oral health programs, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Colgate‑Palmolive Company, The Gerber Foundation and the New York State Dental Foundation. Through these progressive programs, new mothers and mother's to be are taught the importance of early oral health care for their babies. This has further expanded to the education of non-dental health professionals through Hospital Grand Rounds and the development of an Infant Oral Health manual, CD ROM and interactive web site. She has also become a leader in interprofessional education working with pediatric nurse practitioners, dietetic interns and social work students.
Professor Fernandez is known for her dynamic and motivational teaching style in both clinical, lecture, and seminar formats. Both graduate and undergraduate students seek her out for her knowledge and expertise in the area of prevention. Many local practitioners also seek her guidance as a resource in their efforts to support dental health education in their communities.
Professor Fernandez has presented numerous lecture/demonstrations and symposiums at local and national professional meetings. She is an active member of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) and is a faculty mentor for the AAPD NYU student chapter. For over 20 years, Professor Fernandez has been, and is currently the regional organizer for one of the largest Special Olympics Special Smiles Program in New York City.
Research interests
Interprofessional education, community oral health, infant oral health care.
Current Funding
Principal Investigator “Smiles Across America School-based Sealant Program” Director, school-based dental sealant program with NYU dental, nutrition and pediatric nursing students. Oral Health America Foundation $15,000
Representative Publications
Complete listing available on the NYU Health Sciences Library site.
Fernandez, J., Lim, L, Dougherty, N., Lasso, J. and Daronch, M. Oral health findings in athletes with intellectual disabilities at the NYC Special Olympics. Special Care in Dentistry. V 32(5):205-209, Sept/Oct 2012.
Kim, M., Siegler, K., Tamariz, T., Caragine, T., Fernandez, J., Daronch, M and Moursi, A. Identification and long term stability of DNA captured on a dental impression wafer.
Pediatric Dentistry. V 34/No 5, 373-377, Sep/Oct 2012.
Fernandez, J., Sadana, C., Eisenberg, E., Daronch, M. and Moursi, A. The Use of Mobile Electronic Devices as an educational tool in pediatric community outreach. New York State Dental Journal. 32-35, November 2011.
Howard, C and Fernandez, J. Improving kids’ oral health. Registered Dental Hygienist.
www.rdhmag.com, Nov 2011. Moursi, A., Zee, L., Jones, C.,Fernandez, J., and Daronch, M.Nutrition and Oral Health Considerations in Children with Special Health Needs: Implications for Oral Health Care Providers. Pediatric Dentistry. V 32/No 4, 333-342, Jul/Aug 2010.
Hallas, D., Fernandez, J., Lim, J. and Carobene, M. “Nursing Strategies to Reduce the Incidence of Early Childhood Caries in Culturally Diverse Populations”. Journal of Pediatric Nursing. 26, 248-256, 2011.