Founder & CEO: Nicole McGrath-Barnes, DDS, FACD
Induction to American College of Dentists, Atlanta, GA 10/19/17
“Dr. Nicole,” as she is lovingly referred to by her patients and community partners, established The KinderSmile Foundation, Inc. as a charitable organization in 2007, based on her personal exposure to the disparity of dental care access in Montclair, New Jersey, where she ran a private practice for nearly 25 years.
Dr. Nicole is a tireless advocate in reaching out to at-risk children in her community who lack access to affordable dental care. To date, she has led KinderSmile Foundation to provide free or low-cost dental services to over 18,000 children in New Jersey, and traveled to Jamaica, Trinidad, Haiti, Nicaragua, Peru, Guatemala, and Ecuador to donate dental care to children and adults.
Dr. Nicole earned her Dental Degree from the University of Maryland, and completed her residency program in UMDNJ, Newark, NJ. She also successfully completed the Leadership Program in 2010 offered by American Dental Association, Institute for Diversity in Leadership, in partnership with Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management.
Dr. Nicole has been a member of New Jersey Dental Association’s Oral Health Coalition since 2008 and has been recognized for her commitment and spirit of volunteering by multiple organizations over the past two decades. She is a Board Member of Advocates for Children of New Jersey (ACNJ), the former President of Essex County Dental Society, and the Chair of the Membership Council of New Jersey Dental Association.
Dr. Nicole became a Fellow of the American College of Dentists—the oldest national honorary organization for dentists—with the Class of 2017. Fellows of ACD have exemplified excellence through outstanding leadership and exceptional contributions to dentistry and society, and only 3.5% of U.S. dentists have the honor of being inducted.
Awards and Accomplishments
2023 – Community Partner of the Year – Trenton Area Soup Kitchen
2022 – Institute of Diversity Leadership (IDL) Alumni- American Dental Association
2022 – Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Champion in the state of New Jersey- American Dental Association
2021 – Women of Achievement Award – Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber Commerce
2020 – Benco Dental Lucy Hobbs Humanitarian Award
2020 – NJBiz Public Health Hero- Finalist
2020 – National Council of Negro Women- Montclair Section- Humanitarian Award
2020 – New Jersey Dental Association- Outstanding Service to the Component Award
2019 – Princeton & Mercer County Chamber of Commerce
2019 – Community Star Award, 10+ Years of Local Community Service, Suburban Essex
Chamber of Commerce
2017 – Induction into Fellowship of American College of Dentists
2017 – Lester Z. Lieberman Leadership Award for Humanism in Healthcare, HFNJ
2016 – Julian Bond Community Service Award, Montclair Branch NAACP
2015 – Health Judge, North Jersey Chapter of Continental Societies, Inc.
2014 – Russ Berrie “Making a Difference” Award, Ramapo College of New Jersey
2012 – “Give Kids A Smile” Pioneer Award, NJ Dental Association
2012 – NJ Governor’s Letter of Recognition for KinderSmile Foundation, Chris Christie
2012 – NJ Woman of Achievement Award, NJ Federation of Women’s Clubs
2011 – Volunteer Recognition Award, Red Cross of Montclair, NJ
2010 – MD Governor’s Jefferson Award for Health Care in Recognition of Extraordinary Community Service
2010 – Hometown Hero Award for Community Service, Intrepid Museum
2007 – Certificate of Appreciation for Extraordinary Collaborative Support, Montclair Child Development Center, Head Start
2006 – Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Leadership, Unlimited Patience & Love to Children, Trinity Presbyterian Church