Integrating oral health into community health worker and peer provider certifications in Michigan: A community action report

Authors: Adrienne Lapidos PhD,James Henderson PhD,James Garlick BS,Rebeca Guzmàn MSW,Janeé Tyus MPH,Pamela Werner MA,Danielle Rulli DHSc, MS, RDH

Oral Health for Community Workers is an online e-learning module designed by the University of Michigan to enhance oral health literacy for community health workers who serve marginalized communities. In this study, participants of the online continuing education course administered a pre-, post- and 3- month follow-up survey to measure the module’s effectiveness in increasing oral health promotion competencies. The surveys revealed that after completing the online training, community health workers were more likely to discuss oral health topics and felt more prepared to do so.