Oral Health Coordinator 

An Oral Health Coordinator works as a Community Health Worker to promote and improve oral health for children. As a Community Health Worker, the person must have a close understanding of the community they serve to effectively help children gain access to needed care. 

Under indirect supervision, an Oral Health Coordinator works with parents, schools, community agencies, dental providers, primary care providers, and social services agencies to support patients in both clinical and community-based settings to improve their oral and overall health.

When hired, the Oral Health Coordinator must complete an approved Community Health Worker training program in South Dakota.

Duties and responsibilities

Health system navigation and resource coordination, such as:

• Helping a patient find providers
• Helping a patient make an appointment for a service
• Arranging transportation to a dental or medical appointment
• Helping a patent find other relevant community resources
• Making regular contact (phone calls, in person, mail) with patients and families
• Maintaining knowledge of area dental offices and their scheduling/referral protocols
• Assisting a patient with insurance navigation
• Advocating for patients

Health promotion and coaching providing information or education to patients and guardians that makes positive contributions to their health status, such as:

• Oral health self care
• Oral health preventive services
• Importance of regular dental visits
• Cessation of tobacco use
• Improvement in nutrition

Provide culturally appropriate health information and education in the community, such as:

• Educational presentations to larger groups (school classrooms, community meetings, etc.) on the importance of oral health and prevention
• Outreach to community based agencies (WIC programs, Head Start programs, Schools, etc.) in an effort to promote oral health and service children

Qualifications

• Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent
• Must be from the community that is being served or have a familiarity with the community
• A minimum of two years’ direct experience preferred but not required
• Must have valid driver’s license and reliable personal transportation
• Experience with navigating local medical, dental, and social support systems preferred
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing with people of differing cultural and socio-economic backgrounds
• Demonstrated computer skills, such as proficiency in MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.)
• Protect the privacy and security of protected health information as defined by State and Federal Law
• Pass a thorough background investigation
• Complete mandatory trainings
• Must be current on all vaccinations
• Upon hire, this individual must complete an approved CHW training program in South Dakota.

Other desired qualities

• Ability to connect with and provide ongoing support in a behavior change process
• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills
• Effectively communicate in writing to document patient information and progress
• Ability to follow instructions and incorporate feedback
• Communicate verbally with patients and co-workers in a clear and effective manner
• Ability to conduct presentations on health and wellness activities and self-management of health concerns
• Organizational skills, with attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work independently without supervision and as part of a team
• Upon hire, this individual must complete an approved CHW training program.

Physcial requirements and environmental conditions

• 40-hour per week schedule. Some evening and week-end work will be required
• Position requires reaching, bending, stooping, and handling objects with hands and/or fingers, talking and/or hearing, and seeing
• Staff may be required to play a role as a first responder in the event of a Public Health emergency