DEN3232 — Community Dental Health
This course is designed to introduce practical and theoretical skills of community dental health to existing Dental Assistant II and Dental Hygienists for assisting in the reduction of dental health disparities. The course includes topics related to advocacy, intercultural communication, dental health finance coordination, documentation, reporting procedures, legal, and ethical issues. The course may include classroom and clinical experiences. Upon completion, students should be able to work under a dentist's supervision, within the state dental practice acts, in clinics, schools, and other public health settings with people of various ethnic and cultural backgrounds; collect information to assist dentists in triaging patients; address social, environmental, and health literacy issues; provide dental health education and help patients develop goals to enhance their oral health; coordinate care in accordance with dentist's instructions; help patients navigate the complexities of the health care system; provide limited clinical services, including: screenings, fluoride treatments, placement of sealants, coronal polishing, and radiographs. Comments: Colleges may utilize the curriculum from the American Dental Association for Community Dental Health Coordinator: https://www.ada.org/en/public-programs/action-for- dental-health/community-dental-health-coordinators /cdhc-education-and-training