Oral Health Policy and Advocacy

AAPHD Dental Public Health Curriculum

The three- to four-hour course introduces dental students to the foundational principles of oral health policy, advocacy, and four approaches to public policy reform. Students will learn about the mechanisms of policy development, the role of dental professionals as advocates, and strategies to influence oral health outcomes at local, state, and federal levels. The course emphasizes interprofessional collaboration and equips students with the skills to engage in policy change to promote health equity and improve oral health for diverse populations.

Dental Public Health Competencies Addressed

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify the roles of the dental profession in advocating for oral and general health, especially for underserved communities.
• Access, interpret, and apply population-based data to support oral health policy and advocacy.
• Communicate with diverse stakeholders and policymakers to influence oral health policy.
• Explain and distinguish among legislative, regulatory, executive, and payment-based policy mechanisms.
• Use tools such as power mapping and policy analysis to plan effective advocacy strategies.
• Describe upstream factors (e.g., structural racism, socioeconomic status, and political will) that influence oral health disparities.

Accessing the Course

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Course content includes a PowerPoint Presentation, Instructor Guide, and Syllabus.

Oral Health Policy and Advocacy Course Content