Dental – Community Health Coordinator

Dental – Community Health Coordinator

Community Dental Health Coordinators (CDHC) are health care workers who help promote oral health in underserved communities. A CDHC is a Community Health Worker (CHW) with an emphasized skill set related to oral health. CDHCs Work in the communities, peoples’ homes and other locations under the same concept and realm of a CHW. A CDHC is trained personnel certified by the board to provide educational, preventive, and limited palliative care and assessment services working collaboratively under the general supervision of a dentist in community settings, dental offices, and clinics.

The CDHC is a member of the dental team who fills an important role whether working with a health center or private practice. The CDHC can perform clinical preventive services and community-based outreach duties, in accordance with the state dental practice act.

Education, Training & Credentials Requirements:

To work as a Community Dental Health Coordinator (CDHC) in New Mexico, one must obtain certification from the New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care.

To qualify, an applicant must:

• Have a high school diploma or equivalent, or a college-level degree
• Have New Mexico certification in radiography, rubber cup coronal polishing, and application of topical fluoride and pit and fissure sealant expanded functions
• Complete the New Mexico jurisprudence exam with a score of at least 75%
• Successfully complete a CDHC program approved by the NM Board of Dental Health Care

CDHCs must have formal training in infection control from a course approved in accordance with New Mexico Board of Dental Health Care rules and regulations.

Prerequisites:

• Certified Dental Assistant [CDA] with NM Dental Board License in Radiology, Fluoride, Coronal Polishing and Sealants
• NM Dental Board License in Radiology, Fluoride, Coronal Polishing and Sealants
• Registered Dental Hygienist
• BDS/ DDS/ DMD
• CHW – Community Health Worker with Dental 101* course completed
• Current CPR/BLS license

*Dental 101 course, designed and offered by NM Oral Health Program. Free.

Program Level Objectives [PLOs]:

Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively under the general supervision of a state licensed dentist
• Perform procedures ordered by the dentist to help relieve pain or to improve an emergency situation that a patient is experiencing
• Provide educational, preventive, and limited palliative care and assessment services according to the dental practice act
• Perform community health promotion skills
• Use health information technology in real time to provide limited diagnostic and treatment planning services through teledentistry

RECOMMENDED SEQUENCE OF COURSES: [24 credits.]

Community Dental Health Coordinator Certificate – Program Map