Implementing a community-based oral health care program: lessons learned.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this paper is to report key findings of a process evaluation that may be useful to other institutions seeking to implement a community-based oral health care program primarily targeting children in dentally underserved communities. By partnering with community-based organizations, public schools, and community health care providers, the Columbia University School of Oral and Dental Surgery (SDOS) established the Community DentCare Network (DentCare) in the Harlem and Washington Heights/Inwood neighborhoods of northern Manhattan. These low-income neighborhoods are characterized by poor oral health and have been designated by the federal government as health professions shortage areas.


METHODS
The method used in the process evaluation was open-ended qualitative interviewing by a sociologist with extensive experience in this methodology aided by a participant-observer within the DentCare program.


RESULTS
The heterogeneity of the two communities required different strategies and resources to gain trust and acceptance. Fundamental changes were required of SDOS over a 10-year period, beginning with prioritizing community service into a primary mission. Collaborating with medical clinics facilitated the implementation of the network when the partners shared the same philosophical goals. Faculty and staff with different skills were needed during the start-up and the sustained development phases of the program.
Diamond
Richard
R
Columbia University School of Dental and Oral Surgery, Division of Community Health, 630 West 168th Street, New York, NY 10032, USA. rpd12@columbia.edu
Litwak
Eugene
E
Marshall
Stephen
S
Diamond
Alexis
A
D044383:Black People; D002648:Child; D003149:Community Dentistry / Q000379:methods*; D019058:Community Networks / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D019140:Dental Care for Children / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006284:Health Plan Implementation / Q000379:methods*; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D009519:New York City; D011204:Poverty Areas; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods; D012571:School Dentistry / Q000379:methods*; D012575:Schools, Dental; D001741:Black or African American