Competencies for State Oral Health Programs These competencies represent those skill sets needed for a successful state oral health program, whether they are present in oral health program staff or are obtained from other programs or outside sources. To reflect varying levels of skills, four levels of attainment are included for each competency. Competencies can help states determine where the program stands and what are realistic expectations and aspirations. The competencies were developed as companion tool to the Guidelines for State and Territorial Oral Health Programs.
ASTDD Guidelines for State & Territorial Oral Health Programs The guidelines were developed in 1985 to provide a working document for guidance to health agency officials and public health administrators in the development and operation of oral health programs at the state level. Revisions were made in 1997, 2001 and 2005. Links to Best Practice Approach Reports and successful practice examples were added to the guidelines in the 2005, 2006 and 2007 revisions. The June 2010 revision includes two parts. Part I provides an overview of oral health disparities and strategies for prevention. Part II is a matrix of state oral health program roles for each of the ten essential public health services.
"Building Infrastructure and Capacity in State and Territorial Oral Health Programs" - The document focuses on building infrastructure and capacity for state and territorial oral health programs. An infrastructure consists of systems, people, relationships, and the resources that would enable state oral health programs to perform public health functions. Capacity enables the development of expertise and competence and the implementation of strategies. Building infrastructure and capacity is a high priority for state and territorial oral health programs since this will help achieve national, state and territorial oral health objectives.
