79 - Oral Health Navigator; Creative Interprofessional Workforce Solution for Maine’s School Oral Health Program

Abstract:

Objective: Maine is home to oldest and most rural population in the nation. These factors, combined with prior workforce shortages and economic challenges exacerbated by COVID-19, have created profound challenges when accessing quality oral health care, especially for children. Almost half the population of children in Maine, over 150,000, are not receiving routine preventative dental care (COHN). Data from the last 4 years shows an increase in decay rates among Maine’s school-aged children. The Oral Health Navigator (OHN), a new entry-level role, was designed to increase the public oral health workforce, via community health workers (CHWs) and other paraprofessionals, needed to expand Maine’s School Oral Health Program and increase children’s access to quality oral health care. Utilization of the OHN will also increase data collection used to investigate the dental health of the pediatric population in Maine.

Methods: A network of CHWs were surveyed to gauge interest in OHN training. MCD Global Health developed an online training, free of charge to participants. Training topics include oral health foundations, systemic health linkages, children’s oral health, oral screening process, HIPPA compliance, and mandated reporter training. Participants were recruited by word-of-mouth via health professionals and CHW networks. The training platform was released September 2022. Participants will report out in an exit survey and complete a verbal 1-on-1 comprehension evaluation. Currently, 6 CHWs have begun the OHN training. Data on services provided, serviced schools, and trainee progress will drive results.

Results: Data analysis still in progress.

Conclusion: Data analysis still in progress.

Source of Funding: Maine CDC, Office of Rural Health, Oral Health, and Primary Care