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Health Services
Community Dental Health Coordinator

Community Dental Health Coordinator

Community Dental Health Coordinators (CDHC) perform clinical preventive services and community-based outreach duties.

Program Information

The Community Dental Health Coordinator (CDHC) is a new 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. The CDHC program provides Dental Assistants II, Certified Dental Assistants (CDA), or Registered Dental Hygienists an opportunity to expand their skills with a practical and theoretical basis for assisting in the reduction of disparities in dental health.

» CDHC Scholarship Application (PDF)

CLASS OFFERING

» Course Schedule

Admission Requirements and Criteria

Ability to fully participate in classroom, laboratory, and clinical setting program activities.
Complete and submit required proof of licensure or certification based on your specific State Dental Practice Act. Applicants must meet one of the following:
- Registered Dental Hygienist (submit RDH license only)
- Certified Dental Assistant (submit CDA certification only)
- Be a graduate of a ADA CODA accredited dental assisting program (submit dental assisting diploma only) OR
For Dental Assistants that earned DA II status via work experience and certifications:
Applicants to the CDHC program at Catawba Valley Community College must provide proof of work experience and clinical competencies before applying to the program and the candidates must be in compliance with the dental practice act in the respective state.
Documentation must be provided that the student possesses the required work experience and skills listed below. Submit proof of employment signed by a dentist/s and copies of course descriptions along with official transcripts, certificates from an approved educational provider, or state certificates/licensures demonstrating that the below competencies have been met.
- Have a minimum of two years (3,000 hours) work experience as a chairside dental assistant; a dentist/s must verify employment. (Letter signed by dentist(s) confirming employment experience)
- Required skills/competencies:
  - Ability to take radiographs
  - Ability to place sealants and fluoride
  - Ability to perform coronal polishing
  - Ability to identify suspicious lesions

(Note: If you do not have proof that you have met the following competencies, you cannot be admitted to the program)

CPR card: Applicant must provide a copy of a current CPR card for Basic Life Support. The course must include the coursework and a hands-on skills component.
Identify a dentist or coordinating provider in the community who agrees to work with you in a supervisory capacity throughout the CDHC program, providing guidance for the final project implementation during the Internship course.
Immunizations: Applicants who are accepted and enroll in the Community Dental Health Coordinator (CDHC) program may be exposed to Blood borne and infectious diseases. Be advised that depending on the site selected for internship hours, you may be required to have current proof of immunizations for that site, and as such, be prepared well in advance. The applicant can apply and enroll in the CDHC program without submitting documentation of immunizations. If required, documentation will be submitted to the internship facility.

Program Courses and Schedules

The courses are structured as Modules. All of the modules listed above must be completed to obtain a Certificate as a Community Dental Health Coordinator.

**Course Modules**
Module	Course Title	Hours
Module 1	Advocacy and Outreach	60
Module 2	Communication and Cultural Competency	30
Module 3	Interviewing Skills	30
Module 6	Legal and Ethical Issues	36
Module 11	Prevention of Oral Cancer	18
Module 13	Financing and Payment for Dental Care	18
Module 14	Training at a Community Dental Health Clinic (Internship)	120
Total Hours		312

Schedules: The schedule is based on two 16-week semesters. The modules, excluding Module 14, will be taken consecutively as listed in Semester 1 and Semester 2 below. The internship will consist of the student completing a community dental health clinic internship and a dental health project totaling 120 hours. The internship will run concurrently with the modules starting in week 12 or 13.

**Schedules**
Semester	Modules	Class Type	Weeks
Semester 1	Module 1	Advocacy and Outreach	Weeks 1–10
Semester 1	Module 2	Communication and Cultural Competency	Weeks 11–15
Semester 1 and 2	Module 3	Interviewing Skills	Weeks 16–20
Semester 2	Module 6	Legal and Ethical Issues	Weeks 21–26
Semester 2	Module 11	Prevention of Oral Cancer	Weeks 27–29
Semester 2	Module 13	Finance and Payments	Weeks 30–32
Semester 1 and 2	Module 14	Internship Information	Week 12–32

Course work will be completed through Blackboard and can be accessed at any time. Class will be held the third Thursday of each month through the WebEx website.

For more information, please visit: Community Dental Health Coordinator (ADA.org/CDHC)

Contact Information

Angie Rice

Administrative Assistant

Health and Public Services Innovation Center

Email: Angie Rice
Phone: 828-327-7000 x4319

Office Number: EC 1201

Taiasha McCoy-Stewart

Dental Hygiene ConEd. Instructor

Dental Hygiene

Email: Taiasha McCoy-Stewart