Community Oral Health Coordinator, RDH

Job Type:

Staff

Job Description:

Kansas City University College of Dental Medicine seeks a Community Oral Health Coordinator, RDH as full-time staff for a new dental college in Joplin, Missouri. Reporting to the ADCHP, the qualified RDH is responsible for coordinating and supporting community-based oral health education programs and community engagement initiatives for the College of Dental Medicine. Approximately 30% of the role is dedicated to administrative and compliance-related responsibilities, with the remaining scope focused on coordination of community programs, oral health screenings, education, student engagement, and partnership development.

The role supports and expands outreach initiatives such as Score 1 for Health and other community-based programs by coordinating events and promoting oral health education. Administrative responsibilities include managing preceptor onboarding, tracking program data and contracts, and ensuring compliance with regulatory, grant, and accreditation (CODA) requirements.

This position supports KCU’s emphasis on population health, interprofessional education, and community engagement. This position requires flexibility, including occasional evening and weekend work and travel for community events and site visits.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Coordinate, promote, and participate in community outreach activities such as oral health screenings, health fairs, school-based programs, and career fairs

• Educate patients, families, guardians, school personnel, and community partners on oral health promotion and disease prevention

• Facilitate and participate in interprofessional education and practice activities

• Engage and support dental students participating in community programs and outreach activities (e.g., Third Thursday)

• Conduct occasional site visits to community partner locations

• Participates in maintenance of patient safety and quality assurance measures

• Serves as educator and mentor to students

• Teach, oversee, and assess students in the clinical and community settings

• Participate in the advancement of the Score 1 for Health Program and other oral health community outreach programs

• Ensures adherence to all regulatory governance, universal precautions, and/or standard protocols

• Provide administrative support for community-based education and outreach programs

• Coordinate student community rotations, including scheduling, site communication, and documentation

• Manage preceptor onboarding processes and compliance tracking

• Track program data, contracts, and partnership agreements

• Assist with preparation and maintenance of CODA accreditation documentation

• Coordinate logistics, documentation, and follow-up for outreach events, meetings, and site visits

• Exercises independent professional judgment in planning and delivering community oral health initiatives

• Develops educational strategies and outreach activities based on community health needs

• Makes professional recommendations regarding preventive oral health practices and program improvements

• Evaluates community program outcomes and recommends enhancements

• Serves as a subject matter expert in oral health promotion and community dentistry

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Dental Hygiene

• Registered Dental Hygienist (RDH) licensure in the state of Missouri that includes permits for infiltration and block anesthesia as a registered dental hygienist by the Missouri Dental Board

• One-year experience as an RDH in a pediatric and/or community health clinical environment preferred

• Must be knowledgeable and skillful in age-appropriate health promotion, guidance, and primary care skills

• Ability to decipher and interpret information and respond effectively and appropriately

• Ability to adapt to different health literacy levels when interacting with a variety of individuals

• Ability to interact professionally and appropriately with patients, parents, and school/program administrators

• Ability to function as a team leader to effectively oversee screenings (instructions, training, charting, etc.)

• Experience in research and educational programs preferred

• Excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills

• Proficiency in MS Office Suite required; experience with software for learning management systems and project management preferred

• Ability to work independently, with a team, and with diverse populations  

• Knowledge and experience working with community organizations with missions to serve the public

• Ability to carry out the varied management and administrative functions of the position

• Ability to convene groups, obtain consensus, and plan strategically

• Ability to be flexible, creative and resourceful

• Flexibility to travel and work occasional evenings and weekends

Equal Opportunity Employer

KCU is committed to promoting an equal employment opportunity workplace. Equal opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, genetic information (GINA), physical or mental disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, ancestry, military and/or veteran status, and/or any other status protected by applicable Federal, state or local law.

Annual Security Report

KCU is committed to providing a safe campus for students, faculty, and staff. Our annual campus security report lists campus crimes and statistics for the campus and public areas around campus for the last three years, in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act.

Thank you for your interest in a career at KCU!