ADA News

Tempe, Ariz.—The warm Arizona weather matched the mood of participants as Community Dental Health Coordinator students, host university program directors and ADA leaders and staff gathered at Rio Salado College last month to celebrate the launch of the pilot program's second year.

During the two-day kickoff event March 26-27, students from the three CDHC pilot sites began the second cohort of didactic training by receiving laptop computers and orientation for their course of study through Rio Salado College.

The pilot program host institutions include Temple University in Philadelphia, University of Oklahoma and University of California at Los Angeles, in conjunction with Salish Kootenai College in Montana.

Cohort 1 students from Oklahoma and UCLA/SKC, also in attendance, shared their experiences from their first year of study as they prepared to begin the clinical internship phase of their training. Pilot program directors and other leaders also shared what they've learned so far from the project.

"I was impressed when the students introduced themselves, discussed their motivation for enrolling in the program skills in their communities," said Dr. Ray Gist, ADA president-elect. "This was indeed an enriching experience, and I know this program will be successful."

Ms. Tyler: "The knowledge that I have gained throughout the training portion of the CDHC program I feel has prepared me to go out into my community and make a positive difference for the people that I will serve."

Melissa Tyler, a University of Oklahoma student who just completed her didactic training, currently works as a dental assistant at Kiamichi Family Medical Center in Battiest, Okla.

"I have always enjoyed helping people, and dentistry has always sparked an interest for me, so when the CDHC program was presented to me, I was excited to participate," Ms. Tyler said. "I have seen the need throughout rural Oklahoma for oral hygiene education, and I think this program is a great start to helping people improve their total overall health."

"The CDHC program is having a major impact on my professional life," said Jessica Johnson, another Oklahoma student entering the clinical phase of her training. "I will be able to go out into the community and teach people how they can save and care for their teeth instead of resigning themselves to having extractions."

Ms. Johnson has been a dental assistant for six years and would like to go to dental school in the future.

"I've always wanted to be a dentist, and I felt like this would be a good first step," Ms. Johnson added. "This has been a hard year but well worth it. I'm excited to be a part of the program."

Ms. Johnson: "I've always wanted to be a dentist, and I felt like this would be a good first step."

CDHCs are trained to become community health workers with dental skills. Their unique training focuses on oral health education and disease prevention. CDHCs will be trained to help patients navigate the health system and access care by a dentist in an appropriate clinic and work to improve community members' oral health self-care through education and awareness programs.

CDHCs will work under the supervision of dentists. In addition to the education, patient navigation and prevention functions that constitute the bulk of their jobs, they are also trained to perform limited clinical duties—screenings, fluoride treatments, placement of sealants and cleanings, until the patient can receive comprehensive services from a dentist or dental hygienist. CDHCs will not excavate caries but could place temporary restorations with a dentist's approval after the dentist has made a diagnosis.

CDHCs will work primarily in public health and community settings like clinics, schools, churches, senior citizen centers and Head Start programs in coordination with a variety of dental providers, including clinics, community health centers, the Indian Health Service and private practice dentists.

Dr. David Holwager, a dentist in Cambridge City, Ind., member of the ADA Council on Access, Prevention and Interprofessional Relations and CAPIR CDHC Workgroup chair, called the Rio Salado event a benchmark for the program.

New CDHC class: Cohort 2 CDHC students attending the Rio Salado kickoff event in Tempe, Ariz. last month include, from left, front row: Jacqueline Ramirez, University of Oklahoma; Christina Rosario, Temple University; Tiffany Collins, Temple University; Taina Vasquez, Temple University; Ebony McCrae, Temple University; Saraeya Marquez, UCLA/SKC; Esther Checo, UCLA/SKC; back row: Kendra Arellano, UCLA/SKC; Misty McClain, University of Oklahoma; Angela Black, University of Oklahoma; Amanda Dunbar, University of Oklahoma; Lourdes Matos, Temple University; Calvin Hoops, Temple University; Nicole Hokanson, UCLA/SKC; Donita Hill, UCLA/SKC; and Teresa Molina, UCLA/SKC.

"We have educated the first class and started the second with well-qualified individuals who are committed to improving the oral health of their communities," Dr. Holwager said. "The CDHC will become a part of the dental team, possessing both community health worker and dental skills to aid in access to care, oral health literacy and prevention of dental disease through education and prevention therapy."

Dr. Gary Davis, a dentist in Shippensburg, Pa., CAPIR member and chair of the CDHC Education Committee, said, "One of the reasons we get involved in organized dentistry is because we want to make a difference. The CDHC kickoff event confirmed for me that this model will make the world a better place. The students understand the importance of prevention, education and community in changing the long-term health of the people they touch. I am proud of the students and of everyone in the ADA who is working to make this pilot project a success."

Dr. Dunn Cumby, the Oklahoma program site co-director, said Ms. Tyler's and Ms. Johnson's impressions about how the program has changed them personally and professionally are similar to those of most of his students.

"They are very excited about getting the opportunity to take new skills into the communities where they live," Dr. Cumby said. "This is where they live. They know their community, and it's been wonderful to watch them grow. The program has also offered them a tremendous opportunity to earn college credits and has opened up a door of possibilities for them. It has empowered them to make a difference in their community. They've grown together as a group, and it’s been fun getting to know them and watching them go through the process."

"When people have poor oral hygiene and do not know how to treat it, their total overall health can be in jeopardy," Ms. Tyler said. "The knowledge that I have gained throughout the training portion of the CDHC program I feel has prepared me to go out into my community and make a positive difference for the people that I will serve."