PUA for Dental Assistants

Home > Programs of Study > Non-Credit > PUA

Required Notice

This program is designed for the working Dental Hygienist for the opportunity to upskill as a Community Dental Health Coordinator.

A grant from the American Dental Association (ADA) will cover tuition costs. More info will be shared at the information session. 

Degree & National Certification

Students successfully completing this course will earn a Certificate of Competence from Kapi‘olani Community College.

This course will also qualify for CEUs with the Hawai‘i Board of Dentistry.

Table of Contents

Program Overview

The Community Dental Health Coordinator (CDHC) program is a seven-month professional development program that prepares dental hygienists to help diverse populations overcome barriers that prevent them from accessing and benefiting from dental health services. They focus on case management, navigation, oral health education and promotion, motivational interviewing and community mapping. Their expertise link patients to available but under-utilized dental care. They serve as advocates, facilitators, motivators, and culture brokers with oral health resources. Their overall goal is empowering community members, communities and dental healthcare systems to achieve positive outcomes in overall health status.  The program is open to practicing dental hygienists.

Contact Information

Course Schedule

  • Spring/Summer 2023
    February 7th, 2023 to August 15th, 2023
  • Online classes meet on Tuesdays 6:30 pm to 8:30pm

Program Admission

Step One: Attend a scheduled program information session on:

November 15th, 2022 (Tuesday) at 4 pm through Zoom Link

Step Two: Admission into this program is on a First Qualified, First Accepted Basis.

To qualify for program entry, you must be currently working as a Registered Dental Hygienist. Please provide verification of your current employment status to the program coordinator AFTER attending the information session.

Step Three: Once approved to enroll, students will be provided with instructions to register. Course materials are included with enrollment and will be provided to students by the first evening of class.

Financial Aid

This course is funded through the American Dental Association (ADA). More info will be provided to students on how to register and receive funding support.

Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate proficiency in Advocacy and Outreach
  • Demonstrate proficiency in Communication and Cultural Competency
  • Demonstrate proficiency in Interviewing Skills
  • Demonstrate in-depth understanding of Legal and Ethical Issues in Dental Care
  • Demonstrate in-depth understanding of Financing and Payment for Dental Care