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

Abstract

A multi-disciplinary, community-university-government collaboration resulted in the development of Oral Health for Community Workers, a brief, oral health online e-learning module. The e-learning module was designed to improve oral health literacy among frontline health workers who are members of underserved communities, and to address oral health disparities in safety net medical and behavioral health settings. Community-based participatory methods were used to design and evaluate the e-learning module. Participants took pre-, post-, and 3-month follow-up surveys. Oral health literacy and confidence in incorporating oral health into practice improved. Satisfaction with the module was high. Oral Health for Community Workers is now sustained as a standard module within Community Health Worker, Peer Support Specialist, and Peer Recovery Coach Certification and continuing education offerings in Michigan.