Chapter Oral Health Advocates

The Chapter Oral Health Advocate is a subject matter expert on oral health who will work closely with the Chapter Executive, its leaders and members, and AAP National staff to achieve specific, measurable goals that contribute to the oral health of children and their families, education of chapter members, and further the goals of the AAP Section on Oral Health and the AAP.

Goals:

• Advocacy: Make a difference in children’s oral health by educating physicians, families, children, the public, and working to improve access to and knowledge about optimal oral health care.
• Networking: Create and support a network of connections between colleagues across their state and the nation from diverse backgrounds including dental colleagues, public health professionals, community advocates, families, other primary care professionals, and more.
• Education: Provide training for medical leaders and relevant populations within the field of oral health by presenting webinars, podcasts, and other forums where information from experts on oral health in primary care is sought.
• Medical/Dental Collaboration: Medical/dental collaboration locally, statewide and nationwide and development of oral health, fluoride varnish, and silver diamine fluoride (SDF) educational tools for the AAP.

Role and Responsibilities of the Chapter Oral Health Advocate (COHA):

• Be a member in good standing of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and local AAP Chapter.
• Join the AAP Section on Oral Health. Membership is $20 per year for members of the AAP (in addition to National dues).
• Be appointed into the role by the AAP Chapter President
• Complete at least one of the following online trainings:
  • Smiles for Life: A National Oral Health Curriculum
    Module 6: Caries Risk Assessment, Fluoride Varnish, and Counseling.
  • State specific online training activity about children's oral health and fluoride varnish, if available, should be completed in addition to the Smiles for Life Module.
• Attend quarterly COHA Networking/Educational webinars presented by AAP Section on Oral Health. (Optional: Informal gatherings may occur at the SOOH Section H Program annually at the National Conference and Exhibition.
• Attend/view the monthly Maternal Child Oral Health webinars.
• Deliver oral health training annually in at least 2 forums, such as Chapter meetings, practice in-service functions, grand rounds, state webinars, one-on-one peer guidance, and/or community, county, or state groups.
• Be familiar with the Campaign for Dental Health and the topic of community water fluoridation. Follow the Campaign for Dental Health Social Media Channels.
• Participate in the COHA Community platform and quarterly meetings and share your work with other COHAs. Communication will be carried out via the AAP Community platform, email, virtual calls, and newsletters. A centralized online platform (e.g., Community and/or SharePoint) will be used to share resources, documents, and updates.
• Complete the AAP Section on Oral Health Year-End Annual Report form in consultation with your AAP Chapter Executive Director.
• End-of-Term Evaluation: An informal conversation will be conducted by the COHA Co-Chairs at the end of a COHA’s three-year term to assess achievements, collect feedback and determine if the COHA wishes to continue for an additional term.
• COHAs are recruited for three-year terms which may be renewed for additional three-year term(s). The initial term will begin upon selection/appointment by the Chapter.

Roster of Chapter Oral Health Advocates (COHA)