Project Oral and DACP

Project ORAL (Oral Health Resources, Advocacy and Leadership)

Severe gaps exist in oral health and oral health care services across Pennsylvania.  Demand for oral care professionals is high, but minority representation is minimal. By increasing the number of minorities in the field, the diversity of the workforce increases, oral health outcomes among low income and minority populations improve and individuals access jobs with excellent wage levels and strong career ladders.

Goal

Engage young people on career tracks in oral health

Target Audience

High School age youth

Services Provided

  • Educate young people about in-demand and lucrative jobs in Oral Care via in-school day long career fair Deamonte Driver Day
  • Introduce young people to oral care professionals of the same ethnic background
  • Connect young people to postsecondary and career training in Oral Care
  • Train cohort of Oral Care Peer Educators

DACP (Dental Assistant Certification Program)

With the opening of the I-LEAD Charter High School in 2011 came the opportunity to offer oral care career training at the high school level to current students as part of a standards based curriculum.

Goal

Engage young people on career tracks in oral health

Target Audience

High School juniors and seniors

Services Provided

  • Recruit and select high school juniors and seniors
  • Design and deliver introductory allied health courses (e.g. Medical Terminology, Introduction to Health Science Careers) aligned to high school graduation requirements and Pennsylvania Common Core Standards
  • Pursuit of American Dental Association (ADA) accreditation for courses

Current Workforce Development Projects

In the planning stages is Salud, Inc., a full service dental clinic will provide preventive services, checkups, cleanings, treatment of oral disease, including gum disease, treatment of dental caries, and oral surgery.  To be co-located with the I-LEAD Charter School at 401 Penn St. in Reading, PA, a full suite of dental health services will be available to all ages of Reading residents.  Salud, Inc. will leverage the expertise of cooperating organizations in managing public health insurance claims to ensure low-income residents do not face financial barriers to care.  A sliding scale fee for service payment plan will be available to individuals without public or private insurance coverage.