California CHW Oral Health Training Program
This online training program was created by the UCLA School of Dentistry and funded by the Office of Oral Health at the California Department of Public Health. The goal of this program is to empower community health workers (CHWs) with the skills to educate, advocate, and inspire healthier smiles in the communities you serve.
This self-paced course consists of 5 sessions designed to be flexible, accessible, and valuable for learners at all levels. Each session includes video lessons, knowledge checks, and additional readings/resources to support learning. After completing the five sessions, you can earn a free certificate of completion acknowledging your specialization in oral health. The 5 sessions are:
Session 1: Introduction to Oral Health
This foundational session is designed to provide you with essential knowledge about oral health, its impact on overall well-being, and the basic principles of maintaining a healthy mouth. In this session, you will learn about:
- The structure and function of the oral cavity
- Common oral diseases
- Effective prevention strategies to help educate patients and their families
Resources:
Session 2: Social Determinants of Health
This session explores social determinants of health, like education, income, housing, transportation, and access to nutritious foods, and how they impact oral health. You will learn how to recognize these challenges, engage in culturally sensitive communication, and connect people with the resources they need.
Resources:
Session 3: Oral Health Through the Life Course
This session explores how oral health needs, risks, and care strategies evolve from infancy through older adulthood. By taking a life course perspective, we can better understand how early life experiences, socioeconomic conditions, and access to care influences oral health outcomes over time.
Resources:
Session 4: Oral Health Practical Tools & Skills for Learning
This session focuses on closing the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world application by equipping you with the foundational tools and hands-on skills essential for effective oral health practice. Understanding oral health concepts is important, but being able to apply them in clinical, community, and educational settings is where you will truly make an impact.
Resources:
- CAMBRA checklist and form (ages 0-5)
- Self-management goals checklist and handout for parent/caregiver
- Guidelines for providing oral health education for pregnant mothers, conducting a six-step infant/pediatric oral exam, and health education, telehealth principles, care coordination, and patient navigation
- Smiles for Life app
- Video example of CAMBRA self-management goal questions
Session 5: Incorporating CHWs Into the Dental Team
Modern dentistry is no longer confined to the four walls of the dental office. Social determinants, cultural beliefs, transportation barriers, and trust all shape whether a patient ever sits in a dental chair. CHWs meet patients where they live, learn, work, and worship, then guide them into care. In this session, you will learn:
- About the roles CHWs play
- How to train and integrate CHWs into a patient-centered dental practice and bill for their services
Resources:
Email [email protected] if you encounter any issues with the course or certification process.
Developed By
The California Department of Public Health’s Office of Oral Health works to improve the oral health, oral health equity, and wellbeing of all Californians through evidence-based or evidence-informed prevention, education, and organized community efforts.
The mission of the UCLA School of Dentistry is to improve the oral and general health of the people of California, the nation, and the world through education, research, patient care, and public service.
California Oral Health CHW Oral Health Training Program © 2026. Funded by the Office of Oral Health, CDPH Contract 23-10605 and developed by the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Dentistry. This resource may not be edited or modified without the written consent of the California Department of Public Health.