Partnering on a Curriculum To Address the Dental Care Crisis in a Rural Island Community: The First Step of a Career Ladder Program in Dental Assisting.

This document describes the curriculum and objectives of the Certificate of Completion in Dental Assisting at Maui Community College, Hawaii. Hawaii is below the national average in oral health care, with as many as 40% of Maui residents being underserved. Dental disease among the uninsured and underinsured in Hawaii is three times the national average. Issues include the lack of fluoridation, inadequate reimbursement for dental care, and the shortage of dental auxiliaries. Additionally, ethnic groups such as Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, and those of Filipino ancestry have higher incidence of tooth decay and oral health needs. Data presented here indicate that there will be a need for 50 dental auxiliary employees per year state wide through 2010. The article argues that more than 300 students on lists for nursing programs will not be admitted to those programs, and the Dental Assisting Program expands options for these students. The projected annual cost for the program was $55,620 in 2002-03 and $58,399 in 2005-2006, with enrollment ranging from 11 in the first semester to 24 in fall 2005. The study assumes that all classes will be full, and that students will attend both full- and part-time. Compares the cost of this program to other Maui Community College programs. (NB)