Brookdale Community College and Parker Family Health Center welcomed community leaders, partners, and members of the media for a Hard Hat Tour celebrating the construction and renovation of what will become New Jersey’s first free dental clinic.
The clinic, located in the former Wilbur Ray Building on Brookdale’s main campus in Lincroft, represents a landmark collaboration that bridges healthcare access and workforce development. Once completed, the facility will provide essential dental care to underserved populations across Monmouth County while also creating hands-on learning opportunities for Brookdale students.
Construction of the clinic, which is being overseen by Parker Family Health Center, is now nearly 75 percent complete, with the clinic expected to open this summer.
“This is more than just a clinic; it’s a living classroom that benefits our students and directly serves our community,” said David M. Stout, Ph.D., president of Brookdale Community College. “This partnership exemplifies how we can meet both educational and societal needs by thinking collaboratively and creatively. We’re proud to join with Parker Family Health Center to bring this vision to life.” 
Monmouth County Commissioner Director Tom Arnone commented, “This important partnership represents exactly what we strive for in Monmouth County, collaboration that expands access to quality, affordable healthcare while creating meaningful educational opportunities for our students. By bringing Parker Family Health’s services to Brookdale’s campus, we are strengthening community health and supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals.”
Parker Family Health Center, a nonprofit medical facility known for delivering high-quality, free healthcare to low-income, uninsured Monmouth County residents, is overseeing the clinic’s full renovation and construction.
“This clinic is the first of its kind in the state,” said Suzy Dyer, CEO of Parker Family Health Center. “It will offer free dental services to those with no insurance, including seniors, veterans, and community members who fall through the cracks of the current system. What makes this unique is the partnership with Brookdale, where students will learn by doing and the community will benefit from compassionate care.” 
The clinic will provide preventive dental care, cleanings, and other essential services under the supervision of licensed volunteer dentists and faculty. Brookdale students will assist and train in the clinic, gaining workforce-ready experience while helping expand access to care for residents who might otherwise go without treatment.
For more information on the dental programs at Brookdale, please visit brookdalecc.edu. To support the dental clinic through donations, visit parkerfamilyhealthcenter.org.