Loretta Mariano, DHSc, RDH, is an assistant professor and community oral health educator at Farmingdale State College in New York. A dental hygienist for more than 25 years, she is active in the profession as a continuing education course developer, treasurer and delegate of the Long Island Dental Hygienists’ Association, and past treasurer of the New York Dental Hygienists’ Association. Mariano’s areas of expertise include community oral health, oral epidemiology, dental public health planning, and clinical dental hygiene. She can be reached at loretta.mariano@farmingdale.edu.
Despite declining cigarette use, vaping among youth is surging, raising significant health concerns and emphasizing the need for education, advocacy, and targeted cessation strategies.