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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Kathleen Roth, DDS, American Dental Association, 211 East Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, 312-440-7487, podschung@ada.org

The American Dental Association (ADA) has adopted a resolution calling for the development of a training and certification process for a new allied dental team member, the community dental health coordinator (CDHC). The program is designed to give the CDHC the knowledge and skills to: 1) develop and implement community-based oral health prevention and promotion programs, 2) collect diagnostic data, 3) perform a variety of clinical supportive treatments, 4) conduct administrative procedures, 5) triage patient groups, 6) provide individual preventive services and 7) temporize dental cavities in preparation for restorative care by a dentist. Clear definitions have been developed for education and training, certification and licensure, supervision and practice settings. Final plans are being made to release a request for proposals (RFP) to pilot the CDHC program at one or more institutions of higher education or community training centers.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. Describe the key components of the American Dental Association's (ADA) proposed Community Dental Health Coordinator (CDHC), including seven core competencies.
• 2. Differentiate the CDHC model from other mid-level oral health team members.
• 3. Understand the ADA's plans to pilot test the program at one or more institutions of higher education or community training centers.

Keywords: Oral Health, Access

Related Web page: www.ada.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No