Community Dental Health Coordinator (CDHC) Certificate Program

The MUSC Center for Rural Oral Health Research and Community Engagement, in partnership with the American Dental Association, is pleased to be a national training site for the Community Dental Health Coordinator Certificate Program. We are grateful for our colleagues at the South Carolina Technical Colleges who assisted with curriculum enhancements, which are intended to address the oral health needs of rural and underserved communities. We are especially thankful for the grant funding provided and Delta Dental of South Carolina and by The Center for Rural and Primary Healthcare which has supported the development of this program in our state.

What is a Community Dental Health Coordinator?

Community dental health coordinators (CDHCs) are members of the healthcare workforce who work and build trust at the community level. They play an important role in bridging the gap between cultures and dental healthcare systems.

CDHCs navigate community members through the system and community services, helping diverse populations overcome barriers that prevent them from accessing and benefiting from dental health services. They serve as advocates, facilitators, motivators, and culture brokers with oral health resources.

Their overall goal is empowering community members, communities, and dental healthcare systems to achieve positive outcomes and to reach the optimal level of wellness for everyone.

Break Down Barriers to Better Oral Health in Your Community

Designed specifically for dental hygienists and dental assistants who serve rural, underserved communities, the Community Dental Health Coordinator (CDHC) Certificate Program at MUSC is based on the American Dental Association's national CDHC curriculum.

This certificate program is for dental hygienists and dental assistants who want to expand their skills in community-based oral health care. The program equips participants with the knowledge and tools to serve as vital links between patients, healthcare providers, and community resources, particularly in underserved rural areas.

Flexible Learning

Delivered online via Endeavor (Brightspace), the course can be completed in 9-12 months, allowing participants to study at their own pace.

Comprehensive Training

Learn to coordinate care, provide oral health education, and navigate patients through healthcare systems.

The course is delivered virtually and asynchronously through the James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine's Center for Rural Oral Health Research and Community Engagement.

Module 1: Advocacy and Outreach

Lesson 1 – Definitions & Determinants of Health and Wellness
Lesson 2 – Establishing a Framework for Community Health Prevention Strategies
Lesson 3 – The CDHC as a Community Health Worker
Lesson 4 – Community Diagnostics
Lesson 5 – Community Networking and Patient Navigation
Lesson 6 – Community Outreach
Lesson 7 – Oral Health Advocacy
Lesson 8 – Community Resource Mapping and Partnership Development

Module 2: Communication and Culture

Lesson 1 – Cultural Humility and Cultural Competence
Lesson 2 – Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication
Lesson 3 – Oral Health Literacy
Lesson 4 – Health Promotion Presentations (age-related learning)

Module 3: Interviewing Skills

Lesson 1 – Human Behavior & Health; The Spirit of Motivational Interviewing
Lesson 2 – Client-Centered Counseling Skills
Lesson 3 – OARS Continued & VASE-R
Lesson 4 – Rolling with Resistance
Lesson 5 – Implementing OARS in Assessment/Evaluation

Module 6: Legal and Ethical Issues

Lesson 1 – Laws and Regulations Governing Health Care
Lesson 2 – Ethics and Professional Conduct
Lesson 3 – Confidentiality and Documentation
Lesson 4 – Risk Management
Lesson 5 – Scope of Practice

Module 11: Prevention of Oral Cancer (Dental Assistant Only)

Lesson 1 – Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer: Case Study
Lesson 2 – Normal Oral Tissues
Lesson 3 – Red/White/Mixed Lesions: Signs and Symptoms of Oral Cancer
Lesson 4 – Causes and Risk Factors of Oral Cancer
Lesson 5 – Early Vs. Advanced Oral Cancer
Lesson 6 – Oral Cancer, Tobacco, and Alcohol

Module 13: Financing and Payment of Dentistry

Lesson 1 – Public Financing of Dental Care
Lesson 2 – Non-Governmental Third Party Insurance

Community Demonstration Project

The demonstration project bridges classroom theory with supervised, hands-on experience. As the final component of the ADA certification course for CDHCs, students will fulfill their certification requirements while gaining valuable experience in the community. Students will be responsible for securing a supervising dentist, practice, or public health organization to collaborate with on developing and implementing their project.

Be creative – there is no "right" or "wrong," as long as the project prioritizes the needs of the community.

Students will identify a collaborative partner where they will complete the demonstration project. The goal is to promote the health and well-being of individuals, families, and/or communities while supporting the mission of the host organization. Students must operate within state regulations and guidelines.

As part of this project, students will plan, implement, evaluate, and report on their work. This experience goes beyond being an oral health professional and community advocate. Students will take on the role of a project manager, planning and managing resources, time, money, and tasks. Additionally, students will act as researchers, developing objectives and outcomes, evaluating programs, collecting valid data, analyzing results, and drawing conclusions that inform further action.

Upon completion, participants will be awarded an MUSC Community Dental Health Coordinator Certificate and 25-31 continuing education credits.

Length: 9-12 months
Cost: $2,500

Who should apply? Dental hygienists and dental assistants looking to expand their role in public health and community engagement, with a focus on improving access to oral health care in rural and underserved areas.

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

Registered Dental Hygienist (will be required to submit RDH license)
Certified Dental Assistant (will be required to submit CDA certification)
Be a graduate of an ADA CODA-accredited dental hygiene or dental assisting program (will be required to submit diploma)

Next start date: January 20, 2025
Registration deadline: December 31, 2024

Education method: Lecture
Speaker conflict of interest disclosure: None

Program Faculty

Amah Riley, DHSc, MPH, RDH, CDHC, is deputy director and assistant professor for the Center for Rural Oral Health Research and Community Engagement. She is an accomplished dental public health professional with over a decade of experience advancing access to oral care. She has led school-based oral health programs and workforce development initiatives focused on rural and underserved populations. As the CDHC program director, Dr. Riley brings her expertise in safety net dental care settings and interprofessional practice to empower the next generation of dental health coordinators.

Chanda J. Mason, BS, RDH, CDHC, serves as an instructor for the CDHC program. She is a dedicated dental hygiene leader and community advocate with a passion for addressing the social determinants of health that impact oral health outcomes. As a credentialed CDHC, she has worked to connect underserved populations to dental care through school-based programs and by integrating oral health into well-child pediatric visits. With extensive experience in community-based care, Chanda empowers families with oral health education and ensures access to vital resources. She brings a wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to the next generation of care coordinators.

ADA CERP Designation

The MUSC James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine is an ADA CERP recognized provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry. The MUSC College of Dental Medicine designates this activity for up to 25 hours of continuing education (CE) credits for dental hygienists and up to 31 hours of CE credits for dental assistants. Concerns or complaints about a CE provider may be directed to the provider or to the Commission for CE Provider Recognition at ADA.org/CERP.

More oral health workforce development programs at MUSC

Population Oral Health Programs

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