Community Dental Health Coordinator role in expanding community based services for Native Americans

Background: American Indian clinics have a long history of conducting community oral health programs in schools, Head Starts and diabetes projects. Eight American Indian dental programs nominated 12 trainees to participate in the American Dental Association sponsored Community Dental Health Coordinator (CDHC) training program pilot. The long term goal of the program is to develop a dental auxiliary workforce capable of carrying out community programs. Objective: This paper focuses on evaluation of community programs developed by the CDHC Trainees: the target populations, scope of services, Trainee perceptions of their strengths and needs for further training. Methods: Information from Trainee application forms is used to describe Trainee characteristics. Outcomes of the program are based on group discussions conducted after the conclusion of the training. Results: Trainees included all levels of dental auxiliaries, a range of experience in clinical care (0-28 years), Native Americans and non-Natives, individuals with experience in community-based services. As a result of the program, Trainees expanded community services previously provided by their clinics and initiated new programs that targeted children outside of the school setting and adults of all ages. Portable radiography was used less than expected. Trainees voiced confidence in their ability to take a role in planning and implementation of new programs. Trainees experiences in the planning role indicated a need for further training in administrative functions and grant writing. Conclusion: The CDHC training program pilot fostered development of skills and knowledge among dental auxiliaries leading to expansion of community-based dental services for targeted populations