ADA expands CDHC program as online course available directly to hygienists, assistants
Community dental health coordinators help connect patients with resources, treatment
The ADA Community Dental Health Coordinator Program is now available to dental hygienists and assistants as a fully online, asynchronous course.
While some dental hygiene or dental assisting programs continue to offer the community dental health coordinator recognition by incorporating ADA-licensed content into their existing curriculums, as of September, hygienists and assistants already in practice can take the course directly from the ADA. With updated content, the program guides clinical team members through education aligned with community health worker skills.
Community dental health coordinators help connect patients to a dental home by providing evidence-based information and resources and addressing potential barriers to care, according to the course description.
“Community dental health coordinators play a vital role in improving oral health, particularly for underserved populations who face barriers in accessing dental care,” said Mark Vitale, D.M.D., chair of the ADA Council on Advocacy for Access and Prevention. “CDHCs assist in providing access to dental care, help prevent oral disease through education, and serve as a bridge between communities and dental practices. Additionally, they reduce health disparities by breaking down barriers that prevent people from accessing dental care.”
Dr. Vitale highlighted the contributions of community dental health coordinators in his home state of New Jersey, particularly at Zufall Health, a federally qualified health center that trains and employs these healthcare workers. Community dental health coordinators at Zufall helped increase the HPV vaccination rate in a cohort of about 900 male and female patients aged 9 to 18 from roughly 12% in October 2019 to slightly more than 40% in July 2020, he said.
“Over the past five years, 32 individuals have been trained as CDHCs at Zufall and have served hundreds of patients each year,” Dr. Vitale said. “At the end of the day, these trained professionals help reduce avoidable healthcare costs and promote healthier communities. They can also serve as ambassadors for your practice, raising awareness within your community and positioning your practice as a dental home for new patients.”
To learn more or register for the program, visit ADA.org/cdhc.
