Chapter D4 – Article 10. Training Facilities, Staff, Administration, and Curriculum

Sec. D4.10.100. Training Facilities.

DHA training may occur in (a) or (b):

1. Any facility that supplies evidence satisfactory to the board that it meets Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) standards.
2. Any tribal health organization with facilities appropriate to the training being provided and as necessary, other locations may be used provided they meet the standards set forth in this section.
   1. For training not requiring clinical activity, the facility must provide classroom or e-classroom environments that are conducive to a positive learning experience for faculty and students by ensuring that:
      1. traditional classrooms have appropriate space and privacy. Specific consideration in the areas of safety, adequacy of space, air quality, lighting, heating; and
      2. e-classrooms have policies on privacy, and have appropriate lighting, limited noise, and an ergonomic environment.
   2. For training requiring clinical activity, any Federal, State, college/university, or tribal facility with space, equipment and materials appropriate and adequate to provide each student with a sufficient opportunity to observe and participate in the training activities.

Sec. D4.10.200. Training Staff Qualifications and Roles.

1. DHA Instructors. DHA instructors should be certified or licensed in the US, current on their required credentials, and have formal training in the knowledge and skills that they are teaching. These may include dentists, dental hygienists, dental therapists and dental health aide therapists/practitioners, and dental assistants. All clinical encounters must be supervised by a professional who is certified or licensed to perform the skill(s) they are teaching. Instructors must additionally be familiar with the community health aide program and the CHAPCB Standards and Procedures.
2. DHA Advisors. All DHA training must be conducted under the mentorship of a DHA advisor who must be a Dental Academic Review Committee member and who is familiar with the community health aide program and the CHAPCB Standards and Procedures. The DHA advisor may or may not participate directly in the training but must be familiar with it. The advisor has to approve the curriculum being taught and the qualifications of the training staff. They must be available to consult with training staff during the training session should the need arise. Such consultation may occur telephonically, electronically or in person.

Sec. D4.10.300. DHA Training Administration.

1. Educational Philosophy. DHA training must focus on quality healthcare, competency-based instruction, clinical instruction and skills, awareness of cultural influences, create a positive learning environment, and respect for the unique needs of the adult learner.
2. Commitment of Administration. The sponsor of Board approved DHA courses and continuing education must work with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) Department of Oral Health Promotion which will accept and retain records including: course type, dates, student names, schedule, instructors, certificates of completion, course evaluations and documentation of board approval.
3. Secretarial Support. A DHA course at a tribal health organization should have administrative and secretarial support sufficient to assure timely and smooth functioning of the course and transmittal of records to the ANTHC Department of Oral Health Promotion.