WAITLIST: Beyond the Chair: Transforming Dental Care Through Innovation
The initial sign-up has reached capacity for this course. By checking out this product and providing your name and contact information, you will be joining the WAITLIST for this course. A member of our team will be in touch with you if additional space opens up, and you will be prompted to pay the $75 registration fee upon admission. This course is designed for community-based dentists practicing in rural or underserved areas or working with predominantly underserved populations. This course provides a comprehensive, evidence-based exploration of innovative care delivery models in community-based dental settings. Students will critically examine and apply four major models—medical-dental integration, teledentistry/virtual dental home, school-based/mobile programs, and expanded workforce models—to address oral health disparities, improve access, and enhance quality of care. Through interactive activities, real-world case studies, and capstone implementation planning, participants will develop the knowledge and practical skills necessary to design, implement, and evaluate sustainable dental care innovations tailored to diverse populations and settings. Emphasis is placed on interprofessional collaboration, technology integration, quality measurement, financial sustainability, and policy navigation to prepare students for leadership in transforming dental care delivery.
This course is offered as part of a three-course series offering a micro-credential in Dental Public Health
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Analyze the current landscape of oral health disparities and access barriers in the United States, using epidemiological data and community needs assessments.
- Compare and contrast the structure, implementation requirements, and evidence base for four innovative dental care delivery models: medical-dental integration, teledentistry/virtual dental home, school-based/mobile programs, and expanded workforce models.
- Design comprehensive implementation plans for community-based dental programs, incorporating stakeholder engagement, partnership development, and sustainability strategies.
- Apply regulatory, policy, and reimbursement frameworks to navigate state and federal requirements for innovative dental care models, including teledentistry and alternative workforce integration.
- Develop and evaluate protocols for managing medically complex patients, integrating electronic health records, and ensuring quality and safety in diverse practice settings.
- Assess, select, and implement emerging technologies—including artificial intelligence and digital health tools—to enhance diagnostic accuracy, quality measurement, and operational efficiency in dental practice.
- Demonstrate effective teamwork, leadership, and communication skills through collaborative projects, simulations, and peer review processes.
- Synthesize course concepts into a capstone implementation plan and professional presentation, demonstrating mastery of evidence-based innovation, financial analysis, and continuous quality improvement in dental care delivery.
Enihomo (“Eni”) Obadan-Udoh, DDS, MPH, Dr.Med.Sc.is an Associate Professor of Population Oral Health and Community Dentistry at the University of Utah School of Dentistry. She is a diplomate of the American Board of Dental Public Health and is passionate about innovation and discovery in oral health.
She seeks to expand access to dental care for vulnerable, disadvantaged, and underserved populations using innovative care delivery models and technology-driven solutions; engage patients in activities that promote the quality and safety of dental care; and build a dental learning health system.
She leads two federally funded grants, “Open Smiles Collaborative 2.0: Strengthening the Primary Care Workforce Through Community Engagement” (HRSA) and “Clinical and Translational Research Innovations in Dental Schools” (NIDCR). She is also developing a smartphone-based AI-enabled application (Dental Eyes), to screen children for visible dental conditions, supported by the University of Utah Philanthropic Partners Award.
